My three stars, as of March 2024, is a gift. Fact is, Hot Dog Express isn't what it used to be. Read my reviews, and you will quickly learn how picky I am. I'm also fair. I previously complained that this joint didn't take plastic (that has since changed); I've complained that after three cars deep in the drive-thru, one is at risk of being rear-ended on the busy road. I have never given a bad mark to the food -- until now. Indeed, the prices here are higher than the world's most famous hamburger chain, which is located a couple blocks east. Yet, the dogs here are salty (non-beef) wursts that are packed in cheap buns. When a joint offers such cheap fare on the $1.99 specials menu on a Saturday (mustard or ketchup dogs), I feel a bit taken. The chili, on my recent visit, was not the same as I remember. Though they might be using the same recipe they bought from the former owners, it tasted sweeter. The kraut was the same. The Polish dog was nothing like it used to be (and not in a good way). It is truly my wish that Hot Dog Express continues to thrive. However, after a recent visit, I've decided to get my hot dog fix elsewhere. read more

Very disappointed. Ordered a chili cheese hot dog with mustard. No mustard and the unmelted cheese was like one of the square pieces for a sandwich. I may have gotten half a teaspoon of chili. The fries were like a brick. read more

This is a Longview tradition. One of those quirky little restaurants that has a specialty and does it very well Well liked by locals!!

Anytime I go to Longview for business I have two extra stops to make. 1st is Hot dog express get a chili cheese dog with mustard and a kraut dog. Then head over to Butcher shop take some awesome dessert home. Hot dog express is a must stop while in Longview. And one of the only hot dog restaurants around. I love to trade with local small businesses. read more

Had a hot dog itch every time I passed this place, so I gave it a try just off the cuff. Not bad. I got two chili cheese dogs and a small fry. The fries were very similar in cut and taste to a McDonalds style fry, but these were actually crispy, so props for that. Could use a little more salt for my taste, though. The chili cheese dogs were decent. In fairness, I shouldn't expect the worlds most amazing chili at a hot dog stand, but it did the job. They reminded me a bit of the old James Coney Island hot dog shops in Houston. I do wish there was some diced white onions on the chili cheese dogs though. Maybe I'll ask next time for that. Hot Dog Express will scratch the hot dog itch, that's for sure. read more

Staff are friendly price is decent I got the chili cheese dog my brother got the fry we got the chili fry was alright the hotdogs very salty minimum amount of chili I just didn't like the food my brother said the same thing I threw the hotdog away read more

Saw Polish Sausage on menu and asked if it came with bell peppers and onion. Was told you have to ask. I said I would like one . I was told they didn't have bell peppers or onions! ????????? read more

Meh?! Maybe better next time. This was our first experience at the infamous Hot Dog Express. We chose the drive thru because the parking was a bit on the awkward side. The menu is clearly visible, so making a selection is pretty easy. We ordered a chili cheese and Chicago dog along with an order of fries. Our dogs were dressed as described but the wieners were cold. The service and food appearance was good but the taste wasn't at all memorable because of the temperature . I plan to return soon to give it another go! read more

Hot Dog Express - Affordable Prices! - Fast Food Near Me - Longview, Texas

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Delivers Old fashion fast food stand feel, with a delicious selection of simple feel good food. Makes you feel like you're in the 80's again !! read more

Best corn dogs ever. Always hot and served by friendly people. very consisten. One of the few places in Longview I'd give 5 stars to.

Personally not a place I would go to often due to price and what you get. That said this is a nice place for a snack for the occasional treat. Service is very good with friendly folk which at first could seem like unapproachable types just judging by looks. But they are very accommodating. Food itself is more on the okay side to me. Hot dogs don't particulally have anything special to them that'll make them stand apart from the previous dogs you've had. Basic standard chili sauces, relish/kraut, cheeses, dogs/buns. All taste as you would expect with little to make them stand out. Wouldnt be surprised it was from a can or based on a recipie on the back of one. Corn dogs in particular are disappointingly smaller than the average as well. Overall it delivers what it sets out to in terms of serving a quick dog with solid service, and being the only kind of its type in town makes it decent choice. But, I just wouldn't go in expecting anyting to special in the taste department besides wanting to satisfy the occasional hotdog munchies. read more

Stopped in before we caught the Amtrak. Very retro & made my hot dog loving kid happy!!!! Good selection of a variety of hot dogs.

Always have to get an order of chicken rings when we go. The hotdogs are good, and we all love the chili cheese fries.

One of Longview's Best kept secrets. Excellent Service, Excellent Hot Dogs. Ice Tea is Delicious and fresh.

If a sack of chili cheese dogs from Hot Dog Express doesn't make you happy, re-evaluate your life!!!

Like everyone else says, good stop for some quick comfort food, but nothing spectacular. Prices a little steep for the food and quality. Usually pretty reliable and friendly. To go chili cheese dogs cheese WILL be stuck on the paper wrapper every time unless you order In, which people hardly ever do. Only way I could ever see this being mitigated would be if they started issuing hotdog sized styrofoam to-go containers instead of wrapping a chili cheese dog in paper, but paper is cheaper and the classic phrase, "that's the way we have always done it" stands tall. read more

Clean inside inside and out! Great food for the money. Well staffed with friendly, helpful faces. Don't miss the Frito Pie!

One of my favorite types of food does chili dogs, and I was highly disappointed in this place. My standard has been Wienerschnitzel, in this place fell very short. I ordered a chili dog, and the chili was not good at all, and the hotdog tasted like they threw it in the microwave, seem like the cheapest hotdog that they could buy. The staff seem kind a rude, but I asked about serving a side of chili, they only serve it in 1 ounce containers, when I asked if they could put it in an 8 ounce the mantle me they would not sell it like that. This is a great disappointment. There is nothing good about this place I would pass it up if you're trying to decide on where to go read more

This place is a classic. JG score of 8.6/10 (+2 for food, +2 for atmosphere, +1 for price, +1.1 for Diet Dr Pepper with awesome ice, +0.5 for service and +2 for we look forward to returning) These are simple Hot Dogs but the best around. Whether it's a Ketchup Dog or Mustard Dog or Bacon Ranch Dog or whatever, they are all great. We love the fries also and they have a good Corn Dog and Polish Dog too. Simple, but good. The atmosphere is an old A type frame building that has been there at least 40 years I would think. No indoor seating but all outdoor under the roof by the road. You just walk up to the window and order. The price is cheap and simple like the food but also just right. They do have fountain drinks including Diet Dr Pepper with some awesome ice. The service is nice. There are two older African American ladies who have worked there for a long time working there at times. This place is one we can go to anyday. read more

Hot Dog Express - Bacon Ranch Dog - Fast Food Near Me - Longview, Texas

I grew up eating here with my grandparents, it was delicious back then and still hits the spot today. My favorite is the chili cheese dog w/ mustard or sometimes I'll just a mustard dog. The service is always fast and friendly, and the food is always delish. Prices are more than reasonable, and it's a local 'mom and pop' corporation. Great prices, great food and great dogs :) read more

1.80 for a mustard and ketchup hotdog. This place has been here my whole life and the dogs always hit the spot. read more

Best hot dog place in Longview! It's been around for ever, which for Longview says a lot for the dogs. Cheap meal! If you go during the lunch rush, expect to have a hard time getting in the parking lot. Parking is limited and lunch rush is very busy time for them. I've seen cars lined up down the highway waiting to get through the drive-thru. Which again says a lot about their dogs. The only 2 complaints I've got is that (being from the real south) they don't have slaw dogs and the parking lot is small. The staff has always been very kind to our family. It is a fast food walk up or drive thru place so don't expect fine dinning. The tables are picnic style, with ceiling fans, a brick wall to divide you from busy traffic. Just an old time charm of it's own. read more

CASH ONLY!!! I love these hotdogs, been eating here since I was a kid! I love that they put a slice of cheese on the dogs rather than shredded cheese.. Not that it really matters! ;) I'm only giving three stars because they don't sell cheese burgers anymore!! BOOOOO!!!!! Cheap food, limited parking, but there is a drive-thru! read more

I often pop by the Hot Dog Express for a quick chili dog snack. The dogs and chili are both excellent and are somewhat similar to the Wienerschnitzel chili dogs that were sold here many years ago. Some people claim that the chili is the same as the aforementioned chain but being the top chili dog connoisseur of my time I can tell you without any doubt that it is not the same. In any case this is a local family owned dive that has a loyal following. Trying to get into the drive thru during a weekday at lunch can be almost impossible. They have no indoor seating and the outdoor seating is very limited. Patrons order in the drive thru and at the walk up window for take out. They are closed Sundays so you have to get your dogs Monday thru Saturday. Architectural Note: This building is practically the same A frame set up as the original Der Wienerschnitzel that operated here prior to their exodus from Texas. New Wienerschnitzel stores have popped up around the larger cities with limited success. read more

This place has won Best Hot Dog in East Texas for over ten years in a row! The polish chili cheese dog and chili cheese fries are my favorites but there are many other great items as well. If you like sweet tea, they've got the good stuff! Closed on Sundays and some holidays. read more

I'm new to the area, but I can see why this place has lasted so long and is a location institution. Service is excellent - friendly, prompt, and eager to answer any questions. The hot dogs were phenomenal and I LOVED my frito pie! We tried the chili cheese dog and the kraut dog. I'm already planning to return when the weather warms up a bit to sit outside and enjoy another delicious frito pie. read more

I eat here as much as I can. It is the absolute best. Everything that I have had has been delicious. By the way. They started taking debit and credit cards a couple of months ago. read more

When you need a fast food fix, get a chili cheese dog. You have to learn how to unwrap without getting it everywhere but they are hot and gooey! Only hot dog place I know of, prices are very reasonable, been going here for more years than I can remember. Nothing fancy, just drive through! If you're super hungry, get a moon pie for dessert :) read more

Longview, Texas is a very fickle city when it comes to restaurants. A new one opens,and everyone flocks to it at first. Then, fairly quickly, most of those new restaurants become a fad, and pretty soon they are closed and out of business. If you live in Longview, you've seen it happen over and over and over. If you have a restaurant that survives in Longview for any real amount of time, there is something being done very right there. Hot Dog Express is no exception. I've been going to this place for around 35 years. I'm not sure when it originally opened, but it did not seem new when I started got there. Originally, it was a Der Weinerschnitzel franchise. I can't recall when, but at some point, the owners apparently decided to ditch the franchise name. They changed the name to Hot Dog Express, and pretty much everything else seemed to remain the same. The "restaurant" consists of (i) a walk up order window with some covered outdoor seating, and (ii) a drive through window. If you come here around lunch or dinner on almost any day, you'll find the line for the drive through to be backed up almost into highway 80. Most people order this food to eat in their car or take home. But sometimes it is also enjoyable to eat on their patio on a nice day. If you are a hot dog aficionado used to a certain type of hot dog like a polish, or chicago dog, or New York dog . . . . you need to reset expectations. This place does one thing really really well, and everything else is sort of "extra". When you come here, ORDER THE CHILI CHEESE DOG. This is the flagship of the place. This is what they do well. And they do it by keeping things simple. They have a decent hot dog frank that is always cooked but not overlooked. Their bread is fairly standard, but is always fresh. The cheese is a basic cheese sitting right on the bun and melted by the heat of the chili. AH, THE CHILI. The chili is excellent. If you have traveled a bit, and eaten dogs at different places, you will recognize this as superior hot dog chili. Cincinnati is famous for the chili on their dogs, and rightfully so. The chili at Hot Dog Express is true to Texas. Unlike Cincinnati chili, there is no overwhelming cinnamon flavor. Instead, this stuff is more like the ranchero sauce of an enchilada, or the type of chili you would make in a Texas home for dinner. HDE puts on just the right amount, it is always piping hot. The chili melts the cheese, it keeps the dog warm in the wrapped paper, it slightly soaks into and moistens the bread. And the taste is great. I've been all over the world since I left East Texas. Multiple continents. The best 5 stars. Famous dives. Places with character and history. Places that capture a piece of the culture where they do business. Hot Dog Express has a chili cheese dog it can be proud of any time, any where, any conversation. And it has become a fixture in Longview. A little business that has survived so long, it is taken for granted. Mostly, people don't talk about it. But people love it. The lines and the longevity tell you that. And it thrives and is loved because the locals know that THE order is the chili cheese dog. The place has been staffed by the same people for years. They are nice and friendly, and give good service. You can see in the kitchen from both the drive through and the walk-up window. So you can see things are clean. This little hot dog shop where time has stood still is worth a visit. But don't go to a hot dog place and ask for a burger. You're just embarrassing yourself, like people that order a burger at a seafood place. Don't order corny dog. Don't order a chicago dog outside Chicago. Don't order anything but the star of the show, the chili cheese dog. read more

This old Weinerschnitzel will remind you off why the chain was a huge hit for a long time. Thus is how dogs are done. The cross are also good, and the outside dining gets rid of the phony attempts at fake class of the usual fast food joints. The traffic going by on US80 is a quaint sort of ambience that's perfect for these authentic dogs. And for an unexpected treat, try the Polish deluxe sandwich! read more

This place is a Longview classic! They're my go to for hotdogs, but my favorite is the Frito pie. The food is simple, but that's what makes it good! read more

I always get the chili cheese dog, fast cheap and super soft buns. They only take cash for payment.

Delicious hot dogs! I've been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. I'm also a fan of their corn dogs. They're some of the best I've ever had. Fries are okay. Also, they just started accepting credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) so you no longer have to pay with cash! read more

Great hotdogs. Order is always correct always cheap. Cash only. Limited outdoor seating but fast drive through

Who knew a hot dog place would do so well. Cheap but great dogs.

Can I just say the hot dogs are awesome here? I love this place. Different specials every night! The coca-colas are so cold and good and the fries are good and salty. Relish dogs are great and so are the chili cheese dogs. The best part is eating outside, so don't get it to go! read more

I tried it for this first time this week despite living in Longview for most of my life. I really like the outside seating and the casual atmosphere. The staff was really friendly. I really enjoyed the corndogs and onion rings. The sweet tea was also really good and you get one free refill. read more

It's everything you want it to be. This is not health food, it's tasty, inexpensive, great with a beer, chili down your chin, cheese on your face scrumptiousness. read more

Nice and simple place. Great food fast. Cheap and the lady at the window is really nice. Be patient because everybody loves this place.

Consistently delicious, quick, and practically priced. Love this place! Their French fries are really good and the frito pie is great! The western dog is SO addictive. My husband loves the Chicago dog with kraut. read more