In my search for the best hot dogs in Washington DC, I stumbled across Sami’s Hot Dog Cart. This spot has hot dogs with subtly unique flavors, delicious homemade chili, halfsmokes (a type of hot dog unique to Washington DC), affordable prices, and a very kind and friendly owner. This unassuming hot dog stand is the top rated one in DC with over 1,000 5-star reviews on Google Maps.
That many 5-star reviews was surprising to me when I first found it. Michelin-starred restaurants in DC don’t have that many 5-star reviews, and the food trucks on the Mall are not known for their quality. How could a hot dog stand so close to the National Mall be so highly rated? What makes this spot different than everywhere else? I had to know what made this spot a culinary destination.
The Secret to the Best Hot Dogs in Washington DC
This stand has been here 30 years, and if you ask Sami, the owner, he’ll tell you it’s because of the homemade chili, and his top secret spice blend.
I had never thought to add spices to the water while cooking a hot dog, but this technique adds a layer of complexity that you don’t get with a normal hot dog. I got a chili cheese dog with a spicy hot dog (also known locally as a half smoke), raw onions, and jalapeños and even then, the spice blend still came through.
There is also an impressive number of toppings options extending beyond the standard ketchup and mustard, including both raw and fried onions, so you can make your hot dog exactly how you want it. The key to the best hot dogs in Washington DC is to offer hot dogs that the people want–and letting people customize them as much as this place does gives people exactly what they want.
Sami Has A Fan Club
But if you spend any time speaking to Sami, you’ll quickly understand how he managed to get so many good reviews: he’s a really nice guy who really cares about making the best hot dogs in Washington, DC. It makes sense why tourists and locals love him.
When I posted my video to TikTok, the comments were full of people wanting to try it. When I posted it to Instagram, however, the comments were full of people who had been going to Sami’s stand for years. “Sami is the best” was said time and time again by his customers.
Some people talked about the memories that it brought back, because they had grown up eating Sami’s hot dogs. Others talked about going to him on a daily basis.
“The Best Person in the world literally will give you the shirt off his back!!!”
“He never misses!! Best street dogs”
“The reason I miss working here.”
Fun fact: he’s also been featured in a French travel guide about Washington, DC!
Details: Sami’s Hot Dog Cart
Sami’s Hot Dog Stand, a must-see for hot dog lovers, is conveniently located at the south entrance of the FAA building, not far from the National Mall and downtown DC.
Use this address for GPS directions:
801 C Street SW
Washington, DC
If you use the address in Google Maps (800 Independence Ave SW), it will likely take you to the north side; you will find Sami’s Hot Dog Cart, home of the best hot dogs in Washington, DC, on the south side of the building.
Across the street from Sami’s Hot Dog Stand, you’ll find a park where you can eat with views of the Capitol. This spot if conveniently close by the National Mall and L’Enfant Plaza metro station. It’s a great place to eat lunch near the Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian, Hirschhorn Museum, Museum of the Bible, and the Spy Museum, being only a short walk away.
One spicy chili cheese dog (halfsmoke chili cheese dog) and one plain hot dog cost $13 in September 2023.
Considering all the options for toppings, unique flavors, and just how nice Sami is, it’s clear why this spot is Washington DC’s #1 hot dog stand.
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