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Categories: Hot Dogs, Food Stands
Neighborhood: Ballard
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I don't know if its the cream cheese or what, but it seems Seattle dog carts just fill the post bar desire to feed like none other. And Dante's does it right. Good dogs, good toppings, and a good vendors. Whats not to like?
And come on they shoot cream cheese out of a caulk gun. That alone is worth the trip.
This place is no Gray's Papaya. I really wanted to like it. Especially since it was a cold, rainy day and a nice hot dog with kraut sounded perfect. Unfortunately this was far from it. My hotdog was lukewarm and the sauerkraut was cold, like it just came out of the refrigerator cold. On top of a lukewarm hotdog that is a travesty.
I do like the audacity of putting a hot dog stand in the middle of UVillage, yuppie paradise. And the vendor was really friendly. But unfortunately that's all the good stuff I can say about it.
And I was surprised that there were so many super positive reviews. But I'll just chalk it up to everyone being drunk when they ate it. That always adds at least 2 stars.
Amazing! Dante is the nicest guy in the world and he really delivers when he caters!! I plan corporate events and I can't tell you how nice it is to work with someone like Dante. He catered our company meeting, he was punctual, professional, and still a lot of fun. Would go to him again in a HEARTBEAT!
Also, it is worth mentioning that the hotdogs were loved by all and he had all the fixin's. He also has veggie dogs for the non meat eaters out there!!
I would highly recommend using Dante's for your event-you will not be disappointed!!
i consider myself somewhat of a food aficionado. to me, eating is an experience: something to savor, enjoy, relish. Dante's gives me the ULTIMATE experience, EVERY time. I work in the u-village, right by where the stand is set up, and i was first drawn to cart by the enticing scent of grilled onions. I literally clocked out for my lunch break early, because i could no longer stand being inside my place of work, knowing that something delicious was brewing outside.
From the moment I walked up and was greeted by Jeff's genuine smile and the smoky haze of hot dogs on the burner, i knew i was in for a treat. I didn't realize just how much of a treat though!
What Jeff whipped up for me was a masterpiece: the Sistine Chapel of dogs. No, I'm not exaggerating. My stomach was literally doing a happy dance the second the first bite was swallowed. Now I can't even think about it without my tongue salivating. The combination of the conversation with the friendly "hot-dog guy" and the suggestions he gives of what compiles an amazingly tasty dog (and then creating said tasty dog) makes Dante's the perfect lunch (or snack) experience. Rain or shine, this guy makes a real deal dog to your liking. It gives me something to look forward to Thursdays-Sundays, which are now (because of Dante's) my favorite days to work!
I BEYOND highly recommend treating yourself to a Dante's Inferno experience, you will be forever changed--for the best!
-xox
I've always had fairly low expecations of how much can be done with a sausage, bun and a few condiments. After eating a veggie dog with the works from Dante's Inferno, I will say that MAGIC happens when you combine a sausage, bun and a few condiments. No exaggerations at all, a hot dog from date's inferno is life changing. Since my discovery of this epic hot dog stand, i've been averaging about 8 hotdogs over the course of every thursday-sunday-- yes, about two hot dogs for each day that Dante's is just a short walk away from the UW campus. Students have enough on their plate and while most students deal with daily stress by grabbing a cup of Starbucks or treating themselves to some Red Mango, my fix is my veggie dog. Most meat lovers might gag at the idea of a veggie dog, but as a fellow meat lover, I promise the veggie dog is no insult to someone that would rather be eating bratwurst or a chicken basil sausage (also tasty suggestions.) Since finding Dante's Inferno a few weeks ago, I continue to trust Jeff to do whatever he feels is necessary to my hot dog (no, that is not a euphemism). When I walk up to the hot dog stand after grueling lectures, Jeff starts processing ideas for how to create the perfect meaty work of art. The Pinball (Dante's Inferno TM) is perfect for days when I feel I need a satisfying kick in the mouth. Today, I enjoyed a Jeff original: Veggie dog with cream cheese, onions, loads of mustard and bbq sauce with a strip of saracha and I don't even know what else he put on there. Whatever it was, it was almost worth a second round but I try not to be too eager, I have to have something to look forward to for tomorrow. If the other hot dog geniuses who represent Dante's Inferno are this talented, it's more than a safe bet that you can't go wrong. 11am isn't usually anyone's ideal hot dog hour but whether or not I'm hungry, I'm first in line. Jeff asked me about my day today and I told him my hot dog was the best part of my day so far. Not that I was having a crappy day, it was just a ridiculously good hot dog. Take it from someone who doesn't even really like hot dogs... Dante's Inferno is the only way to go when you want a sausage made right.
Dante's serves up a great basic hot dog to innocent midday and late night passerbys alike.
Their carts move around once in a while, but you can usually depend on their weekly schedule being consistent. Assuming hot dogs were their claim to fame, I ordered up a basic Hot Dog. They have a few other options, like the Bratwurst and Apple Basil, but I'll have to get those next time. For a small cart, Dante's serves up big flavors, especially when you add on toppings. This being my first hot dog in Seattle, I decided to go with the local flavor of adding cream cheese to my dog. To play off of the cream cheese, I also added on some jalapenos. When the worker asked "Anything else? Ketchup? Mustard?" I almost added more, but I said "No, thanks," and the worker responded by saying "Good man." And when I took my first bite, I was glad I had abstained from the extraneous toppings.
The hot dog itself looks basic, but is filled with a solid hot dog flavor, reminiscent of the good ole days when you'd spend a Sunday swimming in your friend's backyard pool and come racing out of the pool to the smell of hot dogs on the grill. There's no grill at this stand, but it sure tastes like there is. The hot dog also has a subtle spiciness in it that isn't infernal by any means, but definitely adds to the flavor. The hot dog does a trick and a half when you take a bite with the cream cheese and jalapeno. I wasn't sure if I'd like the whole cream cheese thing, but I'm definitely glad I tried it, because it was one of the best hot dogs I've ever had. The cream cheese played off of the jalapeno's spiciness, both of which added to the slight oiliness and subtler spiciness in the hot dog. The toasted bun was also basic, but didn't take away from the hot dog either. All things said, the price is a little steep, but let's just say that when I get my first dog, I'm going to have to name it Dante.
GET: Hot Dog with Cream Cheese and Jalapeno
It probably says something about me that this place makes me want to start making terrible double entendres about putting big sausages filled with cream cheese in my mouth. o.O
Uhm, ANYWAY - Sure, there are lots of places to get hot dogs from a cart late at night. But there's something spicily delish about Dante's. Maybe it's the warm buns, the fresh condiments and toppings, or the hot, juicy meat. I think it's the smile, the friendly banter, and how everything is right with the world when you're in line. No drama, no BS, just everyone shutting the hell up and cramming the goodness down.
Great for a late night snack. The price includes entertainment of standing in line people watching, and the Inferno Dog is +10 Sober.
Full of win all around, I'd say!
Dante did the Devil's duty! I had been so good, buying baby carrots and fresh basil at the Ballard Farmer's Market, thinking about getting a finely crafted French crepe, and WHAM! There was Dante's cart, luring me back to the forbidden pleasure of sausage-on-a-bun!
What can I say? I'm only human -- I paid, I savored. Maybe it's that yummy toasted bun, maybe it's the toppings (no cream cheese for me, thank you, but sauerkraut like all get-out), maybe it's the great attitude and craftsman-like attention to detail of Lucifer's minion... All I know is that I'm goin' to Hell and I'm likin' it!
For a hotdog stand it's amazing. You can get some great dog combos you wouldn't normally have.
They use top quality stuff which makes a world of a difference.
Been there several times but last time I had them I was doing a Zombie walk and they were there. It was awesome to see zombies enjoying them.
They satisfied my hot dog craving, and OH it was good.
I noticed their stand in the U-Village and realized just how hungry I was. I figured that a $3 hot dog (sausage is $5) eaten outside while people-watching and looking at a turtle fountain sounded like a mighty fine idea.
Was it good? OH yes. It not only met my expectations, but exceeded them. The guy makin' the dogs was nice AND those dogs were delicious.
I'm looking forward to having more Dante's at the Big Al Elite Event on Sunday!
These guys take their job seriously. Ask for you hotdog "Frank Sinatra" and the stand manager will make you a dog "his way." Amazing.
Pretty good sausages. The guy is a real pro and knows his way around. A bit pricey though. Toppings are great.
Wow! I asked Dante to suprise me with his favorite toppings...
I had the beef hot dog with CREAM CHEESE, SWEET CHILI SAUCE, MUSTARD, PEPPEROCINIS and CELERY SALT......WOW!!! Amazing taste. This is my new weakness.
A quality dirty water hot dog with friendly folks serving them to you. Minus one star for not having a dog that is truly inferno-like in its piquancy.
"Taco bell!"
"No. We're getting Dante's."
"But... but.. crunch wrap supreme w/ 2 crunchy tacos and fire sauce.."
"Trust me. You'll thank me."
We saw this great vaudeville type show and then over to the sloop to hear the song that had been stuck in my noggin for the last.. long time. it came on, people watching was fun that night. then I realized I was starving. Not hungry, but actually getting a headache from being so famished.
We drove over here and got in line. It was a ridiculously long line. In front of us were the most awesome douchebags I've ever seen. It was weird, you only see the popped collar, side turned hat guys and girls w/ 3" worth of make up haphazardly smeared on their mugs in the movies and on TV, right? Apparently not. There is no way those guys can take themselves seriously, right? Really?
Anyway, our wait in line wasn't long and I got a delicious sausage dog w/ musturd and kraut. I'm sure it didn't leave much for my breath, but the dog itself was flavorful, the bun was warmed through, the kraut had a nice "chili-less kimchi" flavor, little sweet, little tart, lots o delicious. mmm ....
Thanks, Dante for putting up with epic douchebags, being nice to EVERYONE, and having a life saving dog when I needed it most.
A hot dog-shaped fuselage of awesome sauce housed in a warm bun.
I want to have Dante's children. And pretty much told him that to his face while ordering during the pub crawl.
Dante to Keomarie: "She's not shy, this one, is she?"
Keomarie to Dante: "This is her being shy".
Cream cheese out of a gun and onto a big hot sausage. Is there anything more wonderful? No.
The best thing about Dante's is the act of going there. Standing in line, chatting with the other folks waiting, bantering with the guy, standing around making a mess of your food...
But the food just isn't that good. The sausages are not very flavorful and they are definitely dry.
This would be a 2-star review based on the food alone, but Dante's has become sort of a Ballard institution and deserves to stay in business.
Wait in line. Dana will hook you up.
Try to have your shit together, so you help the line move, ok drunkards.
A note for you silly girls who think your looks will get you a shorter wait.
K.M.A.,because I'm drunk, your not going home with me anyway, and all I want is my f-ing hotdog, so try some douche behind me.
Thank you for absorbing the booze $5 at a time.
Question: How many Dante dogs does it take to make you vomit when you've had 6 pbr's, a highland park scotch, two shots of Sauza, some redheaded sluts (that were actually bought for me by a redheaded slut), a sculler's IPA, and half of a Xanax?
Answer: I'm not sure. I woke up on the floor in my apartment atop the M&S grocery in fremont with brown mustard on my face, a half-eaten Dante Dog on the couch, and a pile of pryoclastic vomit at my side. I'm not sure if the vomit was mine. But i ate the rest of the hotdog. Golly i miss my Fremont days...
Soo so good for hangovers. Love this spot nice guy and great food anytime I need a dog I know were to go.
4.5 stars
Posse says:
Veronica: "I don't think the chicken was really chicken. It was a blend of either pork or beef, but not all chicken. But on the plus side, I am no longer hungry!"
Dawn: "Perfect late night snack, great location, great hotdogs. The only thing that would make it better is if we were on the street of New York!"
Alli: "I am a slave to cream cheese."
Yay for friendly service and patience for some slightly wacktastic ladies!
After some hours of hob nobbing with ballards finest and a few mouthfulls of brew my buddy and I decided to wander the streets. Good thing I found a streetside hot dog cart, this I a must for drinking. It was quick and yummy, with lots of cream cheese and kraut. I am a big fan of hot dogs, and I will say I had high hopes for these dogs. I think I over thought about it because it was just a hot dog- not anything super special although pretty tasty.
They have a cream cheese gun.
And quality condiments and a choice of crazy-yummy veggie dogs. Even then bun is abnormally yummy.
And they have a cream cheese gun.
Dante's for lunch,
But no inferno.
Rosehedge good.
Wow, I hate to be the jerk who breaks the five star chain of reviews, but.....
I can't give five stars just based on the prices. It's three bucks for a hot dog, five for sausage. If you're going to charge ballpark prices, there really should be some sort of entertainment available. That is, other than the drunks staggering out of King's Hardware.
At the risk of being the geezer who says "I remember when hot dogs were a nickel!", check the supermarket down the street. You can get a ten pack of hot dogs for $4.49. Of course, that's a bit of a false value argument since it doesn't include toppings, bun, cooking, labor. Plus this doesn't take into account the convenience. An enema may cost $2.90, but it's priceless when you're constipated. Just so you know, Visa has refused my suggestion of using this in their marketing campaign.
On the plus side, it is a pretty good hot dog and the vendors are pleasant. Just like a good bartender, they seem to always have picked up a bit of the local gossip about what's going on that evening. Tell them I sent you...and they'll have no idea what you're talking about.
Hungry, perhaps a little drunk, and tired Carrie
+
One Dante's dog
=
A match made in heaven.
Dante's, I promise I won't touch the condiments, as long as you promise to be there for me when I need you most.
I really could have used one of you on Saturday night, Dante.. post Bumbershoot beer garden(s)..
I wish you could have been there for me..
I would've downed your salty hog faster than you can say 'hot dog'.
I can't tell you how hard it is to find a good peice of sausage in this town. But today I stumbled across this stand while coming out of Sonic Boom, and figured for 5 bucks I'd give it a shot. There were several succulent, juicy, and nicely done peices of meat to chose from, varying slightly in size but all quite adequate for my needs. After some debate, I went with Italian, which has a reputation for being slightly greasy at times, but always satisfying. I found my pulse quicken that lovely peice of meat come in to view, then it slide right in to those firm, smooth buns. Seconds later, I was able enjoy watching it being covered in delicious sauces, waiting for my enjoyment. I saved the actually tasting until the car ride, where things got a little messy but my mouth and stomach were quite fufilled.
What?
not cheap for street food but really good for street food.
Whenevers I'm tumbling around Ballard.... (READ: Nightly) I hit up my main maestro of meat tubeiness, Dante. Great dogs man... great dogs. And he has a variety of meats, and fixins.... so you can have grilled onions, or Chicago Style, or just cream cheese, or peppers and mustard, or Kraut, or catchup and peppers, or Dijon and jalapeos... you get the picture. This guy is great....
Just thinking about it is getting me in gear for another hot beef injection!!!
Perfect for a late night snack, especially if you're drunk.
However, I've recently discovered that they're also phenomenal even if you're not! I walked down the street last weekend to get one since I had missed dinner and it made for the perfect late night snack.
There's nothing like a bratwurst with onions, sauerkraut, and yellow mustard at 1 am...
Thanks to Maria C. leading a group of us to Dante's cart in Pioneer Square, during our first Thursday Art Walk (see her review) - I got to experience the greatness that is Dante's.
I wish some restaurants were run as efficiently and enthusiastically as Dante runs this cart. As Maria stated in her review - Dante will custom make your dog. He has a great selection of sausages and also Brat's. The condiment selection is terrificly varied in flavor combinations.
I chose the Italian sausage with: cream cheese (oh yea, I said cream cheese), jalapenos, sauerkraut and Dijon mustard.
It was, well, orgasmic. Truly. My taste buds were so unbelievably happy. In fact, when I was finished, Mitzie offered me some of her water and I refused...
I didn't want to wash away a single bit of the taste lingering in my mouth!
Thanks Dante, it was great!
Hip Hip Hooray for Dante's!! I don't know if he was the FIRST hot dog stand in Seattle, but he sure filled a need for street food in this damn city. There is simply nothing better than to finish a show at the Tractor, totally starving, and to stumble up to Dante's cart for a chicken sausage with kraut and hot peppers. MMmmmmm.... I want one right now.
i don't eat meat. i don't like hotdogs. i hadn't had a hotdog in twelve years. and then i had a dante's veggie dog. three days later, i already want more.
and yeah, they have a cream cheese gun. *drool*
Heh-heh. They put up with our drunken weiner jokes. And they had veggie dogs. WAY more fun than the club we stumbled out of.
Wow I seem to be the only one who doesn't like Dante's. After a few beers, food usually tastes better - that was not the case w/ Dante's! I went there and got a brat - ok who slices a brat in half just so that it can be extended to the full length of the bun?!?! The brat was dry and tasteless, for $5, it's totally not worth the money. I did try the cream cheese and that was quite tasty with a hot dog - never would have thought to do that but it was good.
These hot dogs always hit the spot after going to the bars in Fremont or Ballard. Try cream cheese and onions on yours next time you go there.
Hot diggety dog (sorry, couldn't resist) this is the best hot dog cart I've ever come across - and I lived briefly in NYC eons ago. Maybe it's the enthusiasm of the owner, Dante, or maybe 'cause it's just a good dog. My favorites are the chicken andouille sausage dog and the bratwurst, both with onions and peppers he grills right there when you order them. And yes, he has regular dogs too. You aren't allowed to touch the condiments, he puts them on himself excatly the way you want them so losing control is ok. During lunchtime you can find the cart on Market Street in front of Bergen Place, on weekend nights he's over on Ballard Ave. and I hear he's at the Farmer's Market as well. He's out in all seasons and all weathers, but not every single day at every single place so your craving might have to wait a day or two. Say hello to his dog (a real dog) and admire the shiny, upscale cart and just enjoy a damn fine brat.
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