July is National Hot Dog Month, with National Hot Dog Day arriving this Wednesday, July 15. Whether you’re the type of person who wants to watch competitive eaters inhale dozens of hot dogs in a matter of minutes, or you’re just looking for a cheap lunch, Las Vegas is a great place to celebrate.
Food and Loathing spent Independence Day witnessing a gluttonous competition. In the days since, we got the lowdown on Las Vegas Boulevard’s best hot dog bargain, and checked in with Neon Feast for their recommendations of the Best Hot Dogs in Las Vegas.
So, here’s your National Hot Dog Month Las Vegas Hot Dog update:
A Little Friendly Insanity
Every July 4, the eyes of the competitive eating world turn to the famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on New York’s Coney Island. But this year, some hungry locals gathered beneath the Brooklyn Bridge replica at New York-New York for Las Vegas’ own Nathan’s qualifying event.
Scott “Scott Eats” Watkins captured the men’s title by eating 45 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, earning the chance to compete on Coney Island next year. Elizabeth “Glizzie Lizzie” Salgado won the women’s division with 6.75 hot dogs in 10 minutes. She’ll be joining Scott in Coney Island next year.
Afterward, we caught up with Watkins to ask for his advice to kids who dream of becoming competitive eaters.
His answer?
“Don’t do this,” he laughed.
Then he turned serious.
“If you’re going to do it, always be safe… Always be with a partner while you’re doing something like this.”
It’s probably the healthiest advice anyone gave all day.
A Bargain On Las Vegas Boulevard
If watching people consume 45 hot dogs makes you hungry instead of queasy, South Point still offers one of the best food bargains in Las Vegas.
For just $1.50, the sportsbook hot dog stand serves Vienna Beef hot dogs topped however you like them with ketchup, mustard, relish, onions and sauerkraut. According to South Point Director of Food Operations Michael Kennedy, owner Michael Gaughan has kept the tradition going for decades, raising the price only once in roughly 14 years.
The stand doesn’t try to be fancy.
“There are no chips. No beer,” Kennedy joked. “Hot dogs, hot dogs, hot dogs.”
The operation is built around what South Point calls “affordable luxury” — serving quality food at a price that still leaves guests money to spend enjoying the casino.
The Best Dogs In Town
Of course, not every great hot dog in Las Vegas costs $1.50.
If National Hot Dog Day inspires you to explore, Neon Feast has assembled a list of some of the valley’s favorite places to grab everything from classic Chicago-style dogs to creative specialty creations.
Current Neon Feast favorites include:
Happy National Hot Dog Month—and however you celebrate, maybe don’t try eating 45 of them in 10 minutes.
