Hot Dog! Why the Red Hot is Flamin'

By: Benita Ki | July 29 2011
Posted in Seattle - Find It - Seattle

A tasty Red Hot dog and a Hilltop Strangler. Photo by: Mikal Williams

It's no wonder Red Hot is always so busy. Named Best Hot Dog in Western Washington in a magazine poll by Seattle's King 5 Evening, and recently featured in Food Network's Chef vs. City, this hot dog haven is constantly packed with both locals and tourists. Owner Stu Miller says his brother Chris came up with the concept of combining a tavern and hot dogs, opening up for business in August, 2007. Four years later, Red Hot is famous for dishing up delicious dogs and craft beers. Miller says his inspiration behind their hot dog flavors and styles come from various places, from classic street style dogs to San Francisco's carts, to researching other countries' hot dog trends.

Frosty brews on tap! Photo by: Benita Ki

And there is seriously no hot dog like a Red Hot. Their menu includes about a dozen options, including vegetarian choices, and a large selection of craft beers. The title of most popular dog changes daily, says Miller, but these days, the 6th Ave Strut (an all-beef dog loaded with cream cheese, onions, and tomatoes), the Hilltop Strangler (a slice of bacon, thousand island, onions, mustard, nacho cheese, and tomatoes atop an all-beef dog), and the Hosmer Hound Dog (an all-beef dog with creamy peanut butter and two slices of crispy bacon) have been huge hits.

Red Hot features a long list of rotating craft beers. Miller says they focus on smaller local businesses, probably breweries that "not a lot of people have heard of." He concentrates on getting beers mostly from Washington and Northwest breweries, sometimes venturing to other parts of the west coast. As soon as a keg is gone, they bring in something new. Right now, some of their featured ales include the Georgetown 9LB Porter (Seattle), Everybody's Daily Bread Common Ale (White Salmon, WA), Hales Supergoose IPA (Seattle), and 7 Seas British Pale Ale (Gig Harbor, WA).

People are coming from all over to taste a Red Hot speciality and a frosty mug of brew. Stop by 2914 6th Ave in Tacoma—but leave the kids at home; it's 21 and over only—and see for yourself what the hype is all about! 

Benita is a recent graduate from the University of Puget Sound, an avid ultimate frisbee player, a coffee addict, and a food fanatic.