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Barkers Red Hots
Categories: Restaurants Hot Dogs Restaurants American (Traditional) Hot Dogs, American (Traditional) [Edit]
3000 Windy Hill RdSte 128
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 272-0407
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 3 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
51 reviews for Barkers Red Hots
Review Highlights
"I'm all about the jumbo chili cheese all beef."
(in 10 reviews)
"The hook here is their charcoal grill."
(in 5 reviews)
"Love the polish sausage."
(in 4 reviews)
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51 reviews in English
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Review from Kiara W.
Atlanta, GA
2/6/2012
Delicious Hot Dog!!!!
I had a beef hot dog with chili, cheese, onions, mustard. It was great! I also had onion rings. The onion rings were a hit as well. On the downside, it's a hotdog...I think the prices are somewhat high for what it really is. -
Review from Rob H.
Baltimore, MD
12/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Was on business travel and had an hour to kill. This area of Atlanta is kind of confusing with a bunch of office buildings, one way streets, and submerged shopping malls below the streets.
Anyway, pulled into the shopping center. Saw Barker's, which had a. outdoor seating and b. was packed, and figured I'd give it a shot.
Hot dogs are grilled one at a time, each individually ordered in the line. They have about 15 different kinds, I had the original which had a very nice grilled onion/relish/long pickle on it. Fries were top shelp, vibe is good as they people were friendly. Definately found a very good place to eat, mainly for the business lunch crowd with little time and a nice appetite.
Highly recommended. I'm not the biggest hot dog fan but Barker's won me over! -
Review from Yolanda J.
Atlanta, GA
12/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had high hopes for Barkers as I am always up for a good chili dog, chili slaw dog, chili cheese slaw dog, etc...
However, I was not impressed. The hotdogs were lacking in flavor and personally my friend and I left wishing we had just went to checkers and grabbed some chili dogs. It also didn't help that I think the idea of paying upwards of $4 for a chili slaw dog is a little outlandish if you ask me. Really? It's a hotdog.
I'm up for paying for quality food but again something was just missing. I had a chili cheese slaw dog and a slaw dog with baon (which were actually bacon bits). I just couldn't taste the hotdog. For all I know it was a veggie dog. :-/
Oh, and by the way....if you wanna try it out because you genuinely want a "red hot", don't waste your time. They don't have em! -
Review from Daniel B.
Barkers Red Hots is a hot dog shop located in the busy Terraces at Windy Hill shopping center. This is the same shopping center that houses a Fuddruckers, IZBA Crepes & Grill, Uncle Vito's NY Pizza, Red Elephant Thai Restaurant, and the recently-defunct Hashiguchi Sushi Bar. With so many restaurants and other retail businesses, the parking lot for this development fills up quickly. Not only that, but the spaces are small. Luckily, there's plenty of parking in the back, which many people don't take advantage of.
I went to Barkers' grand opening years ago and while the hot dogs were good, my coworkers and I weren't floored. I revisited recently for lunch and the store was busy. The restaurant reached seating capacity and newcomers had to get their orders to go.
Barkers makes decent hot dogs and sausages, but they're priced a little high for what you get. For example, I ordered a smoked Polish sausage and a chili-slaw dog. At lunch, these two items alone totaled almost ten bucks (no drink or sides). These are hot dogs we're talking about here. Two regular size dogs should fill most people up. They also have sides (fries, onion rings, salads, etc.) which you order a la carte.
All Barkers' dogs are cooked-to-order, usually by the owner himself, on top of a charcoal grill. He's got an open kitchen, so you can watch your dogs being cooked if you want. When your dogs are ready, you let the employees know what toppings you want. I had horseradish mustard and sauerkraut put on my Polish sausage and it was good. This was a store recommendation.
I like how the dogs are cooked-to-order, though there's a bit of a wait for them. Both the hot dog and the Polish sausage had a firmer texture and "snap" when I bit into them. The links were plump, hearty, and had a nice smoky flavor from being cooked over charcoal.
Pretty much everything except the napkins are kept behind the counter. This includes forks, spoons, cups, and the fountain drinks. If you need anything, you have to go to the front and ask for it. This is a little annoying since most casual joints like this have these types of things self-serve.
Note: Barkers is open Monday through Saturday and is closed Sundays. They've been closing early (3pm) each day because of the extreme heat, although I don't understand why since they have air conditioning.Listed in: Atlanta Hot Dogs, My ROTDs (Yelp Reviews of the…
Comment from Glenn R. of Barkers Red Hots 6/17/2011
Dear Daniel, Thanks for your comments. Your review is… More » -
Review from Robert C.
Marietta, GA
9/11/2011
This place is at least interesting - the hot dogs are slightly better than what you get at Costco and the place always seems to be really busy for lunch (and I do have a few co-workers who make it a point to go here). They don't have a lot of seating and I thought the fries were mediocre. Its also expensive for what you get.
I'll stick to by $1.50 costco hot dog and drink special before coming back here. -
Review from Harrison H.
Atlanta, GA
6/28/2011
When I first sank my teeth into the hot dog I ordered from Barker's I thought to myself "man, these hot dogs must have been made by a fifth generation German family owned meat packer, that uses products which can't possibly be bought locally!"
Just kidding, it tastes like every other hot dog I've eaten. To be fair, the service was very good, so I give an extra star. -
Review from Herman W.
Updated - 5/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm updating my review as a courtesy to the owner. It's still a hot dog. That doesn't make it bad. Is it a good hot dog? Depends on what you want. Better than what you make in the microwave or on the stove- of course! If you're particular in how you want it cooked or you want it sourced somewhere in particular, well, then this might be your place. I came on the recommendation of a friend. If I'm in the neighborhood, I'll stop in, but to try the weck. Worth a drive? Not for a hot dog.
The hot dog seems to be the next glorified food of the moment- yesterday it was the hamburger. Evidence? See the cover of the June, 2011 Food Network magazine. Again, worth a drive? Only for a cultural icon,Comment from Glenn R. of Barkers Red Hots 5/29/2011
Dear Herman, Barkers are not just ordinary hot dogs. They… More » -
Review from Roshanda P.
Ellenwood, GA
3/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have been trying to try this place for years but I can never catch them open....
But today was my lucky day.... and being the hot dog connoisseur that I am, I always try the Original and then venture out to some of the other taster items on the menu.
I love the fact that its a open grill, so you get the fresh char on your dog. I didn't care for the home made relish, but other then that , this place was a plus in my book.
Also I like the fact that you can purchase your pack of dogst to cook at home. Thats within its self is a win !
So if you can ever catch these guys open please stop by. -
Review from Daniel B.
3/16/2011 13 Check-ins Here
Barkers Red Hots are to hot dogs what Fleming's Steakhouse Burgers are to hamburgers. These dogs are Royalty! Great stuff! I like them the "Signature Style" dressed the way the owners suggest!
You can order Fries or Rings (amazingly light and crispy) or order what I get...Frings which is a boat of rings and fries!
Great stuff. -
Review from Erich C.
Atlanta, GA
11/21/2011
Lets start with it's a hot dog. It's not something I'm going to expect you can really do that spectacular. But for what it is Barkers does do a pretty good job of it. The service is speedy and polite even though the seating could use some work. They have enough varied options of types of dogs to toppings that can have you eat here multiple times and try different items. The onion rings are hand battered which is a nice touch.
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Review from Joe W.
Atlanta, GA
4/24/2011
Not many people realize that there is an art to cooking a hot dog. When we think of hot dogs, we think of slapping ballparks onto the grill and letting then cook. Exactly what you will NOT find here is a ignored and lonely hot dog. Barkers has the absolute best hot dogs and grill master in Atlanta! When I lived in NJ I would frequent a well known spot in Long Branch known as Max's...best hot dogs along the jersey shore. Barkers is comparable in every aspect! The staff is always cheerful and polite and food quality is always consistent. The gentleman in charge of grilling is a true artist and you can watch how focused and meticulous he is. So glad I live less than 2 miles away!!
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Review from Newton F.
Smyrna, GA
6/12/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Love the polish sausage. Never thought I'd like sauerkraut on it but it's amazing with the Webers mustard.
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Review from Charisse M.
Atlanta, GA
Updated - 11/24/2009 ROTD 12/22/2009
Hot friggin' damn.
Came here for lunch today after an unnecessarily tortuous hour of trying to figure out where to go. Durh! I got an all-beef jumbo dog with ketchup, mustard, onions, relish, chili, and cheese. Yum. Pickle on the side. And a side of baked beans (you have a choice of getting it served hot or cold!).
But but but but butbutBUT.... the absolute BEST part as I am sure I have mentioned before are the brownie bites... a delicious, moist, and soft hybrid of a brownie and a cookie packed with chocolaty goodness and dusted with powdered sugar. I don't even LIKE sweets and I swear I will faint from one of these. They weren't in the display case when I checked out but I asked the lady and she said she had some in the back... you know what that means? FRESH freaking out the oven. Yeaaaah.
Oh yeah, I got really great service too!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/19/2009
I love hot dogs and this is a great place to get a really good one. The manager/owners are super… Read more »
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Review from Gretchen O.
Atlanta, GA
1/13/2009
I have to admit that I have a thing for the tubesteak and just had to try this place, once I read the reviews.
There is definitely a beach theme going on here with bright colors, surfer music and yes, as Alain mentioned, there is a separate recording of seagulls going on. I don't think I would have even noticed the seagulls, had he not written about it in his review.
Everyone at the counter was cheerful and patient, while I tried to read the overhead menus. I am not sure what it is about them, but it stresses me out when I have to read overhead and people are waiting for me to order.
I went with a bunless All Beef Sauerkraut dog with fries and a soda. The hot dog was jumbo and charred on the outside. It looked delicious, but sadly I did not think it tasted as good as it looked. I mean it was good, it just was not the best hot dog in Atlanta as some yelpers claim. Not to mention the claims from Creative loafing, and the like. Plus, I did not like that all condiments, aside from ketchup are applied behind the counter. I would have preferred to add my own mustard, etc...
I'm not a big fan of crinkle cut fries, but these were pretty good. They were very crispy, hot and they were so dry that I wonder if they were baked? They came with a pronged Popsicle stick for eating, which kind of humored me for the fact that most people eat hot dogs without utensils, so why are we concerned about eating our fries with a fork?
I did think it was kind of crazy that they charged over $2 for a cup of french fries. My All Beef Jumbo dog was 3.99, but I did not think that was outside the norm of other hot dog shops.
Pretty much, I just thought this place was okay. I would come here, if in the area and a friend suggested it, but I think I will remain with my local favorite tubesteak purveyor. -
Review from Steve H.
Laguna Niguel, CA
7/18/2011
Just like Teds in WNY! I miss you all in Atlanta! Glen, lets bring one of your franchises here to SO Cal man!
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Review from Ivan S.
2/22/2008 2 photos
This is another in a line of eateries that, in theory, I should like. The hook here is their charcoal grill. Not quite the sophistication of MF's robata grill, but the effort is well-received. Hot dogs, grilled and charred, onion rings, crinkle cut fries. The menu reads like gastric porn to me. And yet....yet, I don't come here all that often.
Namely it's the prices that keep me away. The basic grilled dog is over $3, small fries almost $2 and then almost a $2 drink. When all is said and done, it's $7 for a basic lunch of a dog, fries and a coke. And no, there isn't a combo. In a world where I know I can get 2 dogs and a papaya drink for $3.50 in the middle of freaking MANHATTAN, that's just too much to bear.
But some have no problem with their prices and are willing to slap down the dough for the dogs. More power to them, I say. For me, though, it's only an occasional visit. Let the grilled dog hunt; just don't charge me so much for it. -
Review from Ryan F.
4/29/2008
Damn good dog! Prepared on a charcoal grill, they know what they are doing here. I got a jumbo and some fries. The fries were just average but the weiner was delicioso. It doesn't have the snap of a Nathan's, but it's not quite the same animal. Barkers does their own thing.
The owner, who was behind the grill, seemed really proud of his place and his product. I do wish the jumbo was a bit larger. I could eat 3 of these in one sitting no problem. But they aren't all that expensive, so it's not un-doable.
The establishment is extremely clean, with mildly annoying colors, and an extremely pleasant staff. -
Review from Erin T.
San Antonio, TX
4/27/2008
On a recent Friday, I had to run into work for an hour to catch up on some business. After , I decided to check out this cool hot dog place that was nearby based upon other recent reviews. First off, I had no idea this cool shopping strip existed just past Pappasito's on Windy Hill. It's like the UN decided to have some of its members provide culinary options to us Southern folk. There's a pizzeria, Thai place, Sushi, Chinese, Mexican, **cough,coughSUBWAYcough,cough** and then Barker's Red Hots providing America's hot dog extraordinaire
When you walk into Barker's, it feels like you've set foot on a beach. Well, not quite, but that's the atmosphere their aesthetic specialist was probably going for. And who doesn't love a cook-out style meal on the beach? Bright blues and cool greens are splashed everywhere and even the counter where they cook and cash out your order is painted like crystal-blue waves.
The highlight of Barkers is their indoor charcoal grill. As a sign warns you upon entering the line, food is cooked to order so please be patient as it's worth the wait. Well, I'm not so sure it was.
I ordered the Original Cheese Dog with the option of melted cheese versus shredded and topped with jalapenos. The dog, while it had a wonderful BBQ look and feel after cooking on the grill, was missing something that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Maybe it needed BBQ sauce. Maybe the stadium-style cheese sauce didn't do it for me. Maybe it was the soggy jalapeno slices (yes, they were soggy!). The dog itself was really juicy and expertly cooked, so I know there's some potential there with the right toppings.
I also ordered the picnic-style baked beans and without a doubt, those were EXCELLENT. They came cold, and I had never eaten cold baked beans, but I ate the entire serving and was salivating for more.
So the dog didn't quite do it for me, but the beans did lol. I'm still confident that I can find a winning combination that'll make me swoon. They also had all-beef dogs, Italian sausages and Polish sausages that looked good. The prices are pretty decent and they also have a nice sized patio with tables and chairs to eat at during awesome weather. Oh, if you bring the kiddies, they have giant-sized lollipops that are sure to please.
For now, Mr. Barker, you get 3 stars, but I'll definitely be back for a second opinion! -
Review from Addy C.
12/10/2009
I know hot dogs aren't good for me but I remember being curious about Barkers Red Hots, esp. the part of their signage that said "slow cooked over hot coals". Today I finally did something about it. Inside it smelled really good - I love the smell of grilled meats :)
My friend & I decided to share the "jumbo all-beef sauerkraut dog" ($3.99) and the "chicken Italian sausage w/ fresh spinach & feta cheese" ($4.65). I also got a small order of the crinkle-cut fries ($2.09). They cook your meats to order ... which means there is a little wait. And while you're waiting in line, you can hear seagulls in the background - random, right?
And then we saw them pour what looked like green superfood onto my chicken sausage ... yeah, that was the "fresh spinach" described on the menu. Wouldn't fresh spinach = fresh spinach leaves? And the spinach was nasty tasting! I asked my friend why it tasted peculiar - she said it tasted like canned spinach (which I'd never had). It didn't help either that the spinach, feta, and sausage were all very salty - the fries were fortunately bland so they went well with the sausage and the hot dog. But for $2.09, I thought the portion of fries was pretty small.
I did like the hot dog - pricey & salty but since Barkers is a hot dog joint, it's probably best to stick with their core product :) If I did come back, I'd probably try the spicy "Jumbo All-Beef Barkers Red Hot". I checked the opinions of my other co-workers and they all thought Varsity is still the best :) Overall, I'd probably give this place 2.5 stars.
FYI - not much seating so you might want to avoid lunch rush hour or get there early. Also, join their email list to get coupons. -
Review from Wallace S.
Smyrna, GA
4/25/2008
Barker's Red Hots have managed to replace Five Guys as my new favorite hot dog place. What's clear once you walk in is that these guys know their dogs. They even accurately guessed where I was from based on my choice of toppings (evidently, Texans like mayo). They have everything from veggie dogs to all-beef hot dogs, and you can get them steamed (city style) or grilled over Alton Brown-approved natural lump charcoal! All the dogs are made to order right in front of you, and they come out charred perfectly.
You have a large variety of toppings to choose from, and they have fresh made fries and homemade onion rings to complement the hot dog. I've tried to go in and try their other items like the polish sausage or the chicken dog, but I can't resist the pull of the jumbo red hot. I've been 3 times in the last week, and this was when I was supposed to start eating right! I think I have issues...
Update: I had to give them an extra star for stocking Smyrna's own Kenny's Key Lime Pie (they say the mango is coming soon). This place gets props.Listed in: Year One
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Review from Alain L.
Atlanta, GA
1/9/2009
I used to to stop by this hot dog stand in Midtown, just outside of the Woodruff Arts Center on P'Tree, years ago. They had damn good dogs, crispy on the outside, juicy on the outside, ridiculous amounts of condiments. Loved it.
Come to find out that these folks opened up a stand alone store off of Windy Hill Road. I'm stoked!
Let me just say that walking in....I didn't expect all the COLOR, not a bad thing, I suppose, a little off-putting. I think they're trying to emulate a beach/coastal feel. The "sounds" of seagulls, as you're trying to order, was a little loud. More amusing than anything.
Ordering is a breeze. I went for the original with chili, fries and a drink. The woman offered a sample of their Loganberry drink, not a fan of it.
The red hot has some good flavor! The chili was just right. You have to love crinkle fries that come with their own forks. Always been a fan of that. -
Review from Rex S.
Newberg, OR
8/23/2008
So I'm staying here in Atlanta for awhile not knowing where I'm going or where to eat. I took a walk one fine evening and found this little gem of a place in a strip mall on Windy Hill Rd. Barker's Red Hots. "What the hell are red hots?" I thought, being from the Pacific NW, I'm not sure I've ever heard the term. As I got closer to the place I found it was hot dogs, polish dogs, etc. The thing that grabbed my attention and convinced me to give it a try was the charcoal grilling they advertised.
So I went in and immediately noticed how clean the place appeared. There were three employees and all of them were smiling and very accommodating. I ordered a grilled polish dog and sure enough, they pulled one out and slapped it down on the open coal grill. They also have a wide variety of condiments and horseradish mustards, kraut, relish, all the standard items. They also offer something called Frings which apparently is a combination of fries and onion rings, although I did not try them.
The dog was great, just like when it's grilled in the backyard. I used the restroom, it was also very clean. If I could give this place 4.5 stars I would, the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it is after all basically a hot dog joint.
Again I was impressed with both the super friendly, happy staff and the cleanliness of the place. Add the fact that they use real charcoal to grill their items, and you've got a winner! -
Review from cord w.
Marietta, GA
6/17/2011
A very niche concept as far as the overall menu goes. The food is primarily focused on a wide variety of hotdog/sausage-dog combos. The space inside is relatively small but there is plenty of outdoor seating. The staff is friendly and there is a strong sense that this is a family owned/operated affair. If you're looking for a restaurant experience, this is not the place for you. however, if you're in the mood for the "hotdog stand on the boardwalk" kind of thing, you'd be very much at home here. For all of us "cosco hotdog combo" fans, this place is a fantastic replacement. Moderately priced. Very clean and bright.
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Review from Shawn M.
Traverse City, MI
5/8/2009
Easily the finest dog in the metro, Barkers has a place in my heart as well as my stomach.
What could possibly be so great about a little log of sausage love? Well, let me tell ya, its all about the charcoal. Cooked when you order them, not a second sooner, over the flames which dance and flicker while filling the air with little flecks of ember and the smell of a really great dog. Topped with a sweetly tangy slaw, some original yellow mustard and a pickle spear - just the way I like it, was something I would liken to a religious experience, if hot dogs were a religion, that is.
Their onion rings were made with sweet onions, beer battered, and fried to a golden perfection. No salt needed to doctor up these rings, kids!
But the most impressive part? The place is flippin' IMMACULATE. Easily the cleanest eatery I've ever been in. Even the decor is amazing. the washed floorboards, the brightly colored walls and even the amazing striped pendant light fixtures!
Bonus points for piping in sounds of the shore - seagulls, waves... a short mental vacation while waiting for your dog to be crafted to perfection...
Go on... you know you want a hot dog now... -
Review from Scott M.
Chicago, IL
6/9/2008
These folks certainly do know their hot dogs. I checked this spot out for lunch one day while i was in the plaza. Once inside, you quickly see the sticker for being voted the best hot dog in the city....
"We'll see" I thought.
So you know how at Coldstone they do all this weird stuff to the ice cream (looks they are cooking it) before they serve it to you. And it really gives you the impression that they know what they are doing, but really all they are doing is finding a reason to charge you 2 bucks more per scoop?
I kinda got that impression at Barkers....that is, until I actually tasted the hot dogs.
It takes about 10 minutes for them to cook these bad boys, but coming off that grill there is nothing that I have tasted like them in Atlanta.
They have a few different sauces that you can put on the hot dog, one is spicy and actually gives the dog a great kick.
The dogs are chargrilled so they come with this really intense flavor....definitely a must try in the city!
They brag about their lemonade, and i must say its damn good too. -
Review from Jason D.
3/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best hot dog in Atlanta. Served over charcoal, the dogs have a nice taste and crisp. Sides are great, Loganberry drink is great. Atmosphere and menu is just like a beach-side stand. We love this hidden gem. They also offer grilled chicken, beef on weck, sausages, and grouper.
Listed in: For Our Out-of-Town Guests!
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Review from Kate C.
12/27/2008
Having grown up in Buffalo, I have dined at the restaurant this one is modeled after, Ted's, countless times. This one still has some work to do to be as good as Ted's.
The concept: Salen's hot dogs cooked over a char-grill and served with fries and vinegar. The dog is known for their hard casing. The other house specialty is their beef on weck. It's a juicy flank steak sand on a kimmelweck roll.
The dog was good and cooked perfectly. I ordered a cheese dog, but the cheese was all wrong, almost gross. It is supposed to be a nice cheese sauce instead of a congealed mess.
The beef on weck was very good. I really enjoyed the quality and temp of the beef. The vinegar for my fries was white instead of malt. A big misstep for me.
Lastly, it took too long to get the food! These people need a lesson from the real staff that invented this process. Please kick it into high gear. The prices are definitely higher than what I used to pay. My sand was about $6, and my large fry was the size of a Wendy's small. What the hell?
If Ted's were next door, of course I would choose it over Barkers. Since that is not the case, I will embrace this store, as it reminds me of home. -
Review from Karin A.
7/15/2009
So I had a dog. My dog had chili on it. It should have been minus the chili but I love chili. Unfortunetly this chili wasn't so hot. So my dog wasn't so hot either.
The staff was great! And as others have mention the place was as clean as can be. I will give it another shot....I am sure that without the chili my dog will be hot. lol!! I crack myself up. -
Review from Micaela G.
Atlanta, GA
4/24/2010
I love Barkers Red Hots. They have the best hotdogs in Atlanta. The only reason Im giving this place three stars is because their hours can be erratic. The last few times I went they were closed during their normal business hours. That can be a huge dissapointment when you really want a juicy hotdog.
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Update:
Barkers has updated their hours, so now I know exactly when to go! Like I said before the erratic hours were my only pet peeve about this place, now since I know exactly when they will be open I have no issues. -
Review from Colby S.
Marietta, GA
3/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food, very nice employees. The kids loved it...I'll have mine with chili, cheese, and japs, please.
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Review from Shannon M.
Decatur, GA
11/10/2008
Yum. This is a family-run establishment, and the dogs are totally divine. I'm all about the jumbo chili cheese all beef. There is something about those grill marks... Pass on the fries (not brown enough for me) but the onion rings are pretty good.
My only ding is the music they play. I just feel bad that they take their ambiance so serioulsy that they listen to the same tired beachy-type music ALL day. Ick! Oh and it's in Marietta. -
Review from Vida M.
Atlanta, GA
5/12/2009
My boyfriend works just minutes from Barkers and we've eaten around this place for a while. Today I was searching for some place new for us to try, and with time constraints to boot, and Barkers won out.
It is absolutely one of the cleanest places I have ever walked into to order a hot dog. I was going to start with a Polish Sausage my first time in, but decided to go with what they are famous for first.
I had an original chilli cheese dog. Not bad, this is going up on my list with the Varisty for chilli cheese dogs.
They have some specialty drink they sell/make in house. It's not carbonated and taste like kool-aid. I mean could I have felt any more like a kid?!? It was fabulous.
My boyfriend had the all beef dog, and I had the pork/beef, and he ordered the french fries, which I finished. I had the onion rings. Very good, just greasy. All in all, a new favorite, and they have outside seating. Today was perfect! -
Review from Eugene C.
Roswell, GA
4/9/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Great hot dogs and grilled chicken sandwiches. Very friendly staff. Definitely coming back
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Review from John G.
Atlanta, GA
7/7/2011
If you are in the mood for a hot dog this is the place to come. They are cooked on an open coal grill so they get that nice charred texture and the fries are pretty good as well. They play beachy music and he decor is like a boardwalk. So all in all not a bad place for something different.
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Review from Rick D.
Acworth, GA
11/24/2009
Hot dogs. Beach theme. Whats not to like?
The hot dogs are cooked over a charcoal fire and cooked to order. They hand prepare the dogs in front of you with the toppings of your choice and also hand prepare their rings and fries.
The place is spotless and the owner was very conversational and seemed like he was glad to be there and helping you (a rarity these days!)
Definitely would go back there! -
Review from n y.
Atlanta, GA
12/26/2009
the signature dog is ok, kinda weird with the sweet pickle on top. i'm not a fan. The chili dog was pretty good. I think the beef dog is the way to go. I love the grilled flavor. It's like a picnic. the seagull sounds could go. I found it annoying.
The vinegar soaked potato fries were not that good. i was quite disappointed.
2 dogs, 1 order of fries, no drink ~$8. yikes! no fries at costco, but 2 much bigger dogs will set you back 3 bucks and change. -
Review from Cindy W.
Atlanta, GA
6/27/2010
The erratic hours killed us when we tried to fundraise (you basically compete with everyone else who is trying to get money from Barker's by sending people over there are buying their fare...like our group of 8 had to compete with our band..fail!)
Looks like an awkward family service. I had their dog and mozzarella salad (which was really gross. They said it's made fresh, but how can it be when it's just pulled out of the little fridge? The cold mozzarella was gooey, which is NOT fresh because the vinaigrette had broken some of the cheese's enzymes. It came in a little ketchup sauce cup too.) and tried my friend's onion rings.
The onion rings were the only redeemable things and they were actually pretty good! Though onions rings are kind of hard to mess up...
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Note: I just got an email from the owner who said my review was "selfish, incongruent, without fact (by the way the restaurant business is largely opinion formed), and one of the few that don't get it" sounds a lot more malicious to me than my review does to your business and may actually hurt you in the long run if you guilt-trip all the customers that weren't satisfied to change their reviews and ratings (sounds like what you did with Micaela G, and probably for a lot of other people too).
The owner said the hours of operation have been stabilized and the fundraising has ended quite some time ago. Just a careful note, there's not much seating in the place and outside either, so I would plan on take out because it can get busy and the atmosphere isn't to die for.
I'm sorry but that was just the experience I had and if you can't take criticism, get over it. Other businesses are proactive and apologize and are absolutely wonderful- I will always return to them. A negative experience coupled with good customer service can lead to a lifetime customer. Word!!!
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Update 8.5.11: I wrote this as one of my first Yelp posts, two stars and much harsher words. When the owner flipped his bird (dog?) on me, I felt like an awful person and changed everything. But looking back on it I was basically a pushover because I was "new" to Yelp. Forget that, I'm changing it back to what I first did. I should drop it, but I still feel angry after all these years. Here I am writing about things that can be improved, and what I get back is an indignant, angry, and self-righteous reply (aka "how dare you!", "my hot dogs are the best, they're so gourmet!"). Well let me tell you some news- places that don't heed customers are the ones that never really become big.
One thing that gets me is how the owner keeps on saying how awesome his hot dogs are and that we don't understand what goes into them and what makes them top-notch, importing them, etc, etc.
Let me tell you something- hot dogs, as a general rule, are made from meat by-products and fat. By-products include just about everything we can't get at the local grocer's (like kidneys, gall bladders, intestines, brain, lungs, etc.). If you're talking gourmet, the franks are usually made of some type of beef, again nearly indistinguishable in taste in the end product.
But unless the beef/meat is grade A1 Kobe (stupid, no one makes hot dogs with kobe) or hand made by Tom Colicchio or Thomas Keller, being made by by a fifth-generation person in a company that dates from 1869 doesn't really mean much. Especially if you don't even list the name of the company or person. Not much to credit there, is there?
Places like Bacchanalia (often named #1 in Atlanta)- have to import majority of their ingredients and procure local/organic as much as possible. Their menu is completely transparent. Niman Ranch, Flat Creek Lodge, etc. They don't complain about hidden costs, and they have a mini-gourmet grocer, deli, upscale dining room, and less formal upstairs to maintain as well. I don't know about 800 degree ovens, but Antico definitely has 1000+ degrees ovens and they don't close until waay later at night. They also import majority of their ingredients (their freaking ovens, too) straight from Italy. No complaints, just pride in their food and culture.
Second, I don't like how you say your food is fresh, not fast, like "your buds at Brandi's." Nothing like poorer sportsmanship than calling out fellow hot dog enthusiasts. They were named as one of Atlanta's best hotdogs by AJC, one of Cobb's Seven Wonders, and has a higher rating than Barker's (without any ugly messages, too). Maybe instead of insulting them, you should try learning from them.
Third, when you wrote on Daniel B's review (which was nothing but professional. He is one of the top in Yelp.), I found it incredible that you had the audacity to say how "painfully ignorant" he was, but invited him to visit your new location up in Roswell.
That, screams painfully ignorant in customer service. -
Review from Jecca N.
Mableton, GA
12/20/2010
Went to Barker's for the first time this weekend, and was impressed. The prices are reasonable, the folks behind the counter friendly, and the beef on weck delicious. And they have loganberry! I'll definitely be going back.
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Review from Whitney T.
Atlanta, GA
8/7/2010 3 Check-ins Here
I love love love this place! This is now one of my favorite places to go for lunch. If you're a hot dog lover like I am, you've got to try Barkers out. The food is inexpensive and the customer service is EXCELLENT! They also serve items other than hot dogs, and their onion rings are really good. They have all beef hot dogs also which is what I prefer. My mom comes here once a week so that should tell you something :).
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Review from N B.
Alpharetta, GA
6/14/2011
Just the VERY BEST!!! I'm so happy Barkers came to Atlanta. I'm originally from Buffalo and love that Atlanta finally has an EXCELLENT hot dog.
