Hot Dog Heaven — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

The hot dogs french fries were very good... However the lady at the counter was very nasty and I think this is perhaps the only fast food place in existence that does not offer free refills on the soda. Last time I was there I left for such a bad taste in my mouth from their attitude I swore I'd never go back.

I went back to give them another try, and I don't have anything good to say. The owner or manager who was there and is in the picture on this Google page he wears glasses and a baseball cap...is very creepy! First of all he's handling the food without any type of gloves with his bare hands which I believe is a health code violation because he's also handling money at the cash register at the same time. The place is extremely small and when more than 4 people come in it gets chaotic there's no sign that tells you to go to the right to place your order so I went to their cashier not knowing where to go, But Mr creept owner/manager got nasty with me and told me I had to place the order over on the right side. Note to this miserable cheapskate- you need to smile and be friendly and a hell of a lot nicer to your customers!! Then he likes to pull this little trick where he puts the french fries into the little cardboard container that he serves the hot dogs in this cuts down on the portion size of the French fries!! Not only that but by doing this she makes me wait to get the hot dog which is sitting there cooling down and getting cold also he can increase his little profit margin!! He does this with all the customers it adds up to probably some good additional profits. I simply see it as being ripped off!! And he comes off as an incredible Cheapskate by doing stuff like that!! As I mentioned before it's the only restaurant that I can remember that charges for refills on the soda and I'm not the only one who seems astounded by that. A young couple was there sitting outside and the guy requested a refill and when the owner told him that was a dollar he just gave him a look like you kidding me ?? and walked away!! So I am done with Hot Dog Heaven forever keep your refills and your unsanitary methods of...

Since the early 90's, I used to go to Hot Dog Heaven frequently when I lived and worked in Broward County. Even after I moved to Lake Worth, I would still try to stop by whenever I was in the area. I was saddened to hear that Barry had sold Hot Dog Heaven last year. Anyway, yesterday I finally had an opportunity to go and enjoy a Chicago hot dog at what was once, my favorite hot dog joint in Florida.

Upon entering, I noticed that some cosmetic changes had been made since my last visit. However, the most noticeable difference was the absence of the warm welcome one would receive from Barry when you walked in the door. The countertop was full of boxes of Vienna Beef hot dogs buns, so you couldn't really see the employees working on food orders. No longer does one enter and go the right to place their order and watch as their hot dogs are constructed to order before their eyes. Now, you order at the register and your name is called when your food is ready.

I was most disappointed when I was told they would not honor my full Hot Dog Heaven reward card. (see picture) In my opinion, that was a huge mistake by the new owner/management. I was told that perhaps a new rewards card was coming. When? HDH has been under new management for months. Anyway, too late. The damage was already done.

The hot dog and fries themselves were good, but that was primarily because they still use Vienna Beef, which in my opinion, are the best. But something about it felt off. Barry Star understood Chicago. He understood Chicago Hot Dogs. They way he would rotate the steamed buns so they would not get too soggy, and tap them open with his hands before using a tong to place a hot dog into it. He understood customer service and warm welcomes. I'm not so sure the new management does.

As I left, I did not hear the "So long." or "Have a great day." that Barry and/or his other employees used to say as you walked out.

I left Hot Dog Heaven saddened to learn that it just wasn't what it used to be and that it was most likely the last time I would walk in and...

EDIT:: it appears as if these guys either fund a review campaign, or the people eating these hot dogs have blown out taste buds... Seriously.

I want to start off with saying: "I tried". I love hot dogs, they've been a staple of my diet, hell, even my identity, I'll elaborate later. I've tried all kinds of hot dog establishments in Florida, and I've truthfully been trying to either find this spot open or just simply have a moment to visit, and that day came.

First off, I want to congratulate the staff, it's a fun environment, people are friendly, parking is a hit or miss.

Unfortunately, when the rubber met the road, it all went south. The hot dogs themselves were okay. The bread, not so much, at least for me, is that poppy seeds? I don't even know.

The tomatoes were bad, the sauerkraut was bad, the ketchup was the most acidic, weird tasting thing I've ever had, unfortunately it was all around disappointing, worst part of it was, I had inviting my entire family to try it, what an embarrassment.

As a Chilean, we take our hot dog street foods very seriously, I'm not sure if you're all aware, but Chiles unofficial street food is in fact a hotdog, you get them EVERY CORNER.

Now I've read a few of these reviews after the fact, even the one where the owner barked back at another hotdog spot south of them, very disappointing the owners had the nerve to disrespect another business after the shit show that was my visit.

Again, staff and environment were phenomenal, food was...