Rawley's has a reputation for being a beloved CT hot dog place. They deep fry the dogs. Grill the buns in butter. You'll hear they have fans like Martha Stewart and David Letterman. Before this weekend, I had been once before years ago, and didn't really connect with the hot dogs in the way that others must. When I unexpectedly drove by this weekend and saw they were open, I had to try again. While the hot dog was good (not great or even very good), I continue to be underwhelmed relative to the expectations set by others and I found the experience unnecessarily inefficient and frustrating. When I arrived at 11:40 am, there was no line to order, 2 people were waiting for prior orders in the narrow front room where you order, and there were four people sitting in the narrow dining area who seemed to have their food already. I saw at least 4 different people working, which seemed adequate for the number of customers. I ordered at 11:41. I asked if they make any of their own toppings and I was told they make their own hot relish, but none of the other toppings. So I ordered one hot dog with yellow mustard, and the house red hot relish. The other available toppings, included chili, cheese, kraut, onions, sweet relish, bacon, jalapenos, mayo and dill pickle chips. I didn't get my hot dog until 12:01. So 20 minutes later. In those 20 minutes, they handed out a couple of average looking phone in orders. So it wasn't like they were doing a huge phone-in takeout business either. One of the two people who ordered ahead of me finally said "I have to go. I need a refund." They said they were completing his order so he ended up waiting a couple more minutes. I was equally frustrated with the inability of four people to accomplish so little in 20 minutes. I was there long enough to read a story they have on the wall about how people will wait "20 minutes for the real thing". So it actually seems to be a source of pride that they can take 20 minutes to fill your order, because you will like the food that much. I've been to many of the best loved CT hot dog places. I have had my hot dog within 5 minutes from some of those paces. I have never waited longer than 10 minutes for a single hot dog, even when there were twice as many customers. Even when the other hot dog places have many more topping options and they actually make some of those toppings in house. 20 minutes for a single hot dog with simple toppings is unacceptable during non-busy periods, and should be embarrassing, rather than an apparent source of pride. I could get over 20 minutes for a best in CT level hot dog. My hot dog was not near that level. Rawley's uses a standard bun length Hummel hot dog. Deep frying the dog is supposed to make it snappy. My dog was not snappy. My teeth pierced the dog, with very little resistance. I'm not a Hummel guy, but the flavor was fine. The hot relish was pretty good. It did not pop relative to the topping options of my favorite CT hot dog shops. The butter-grilled bun is a highlight, however. It's probably one of the best hot dog buns in CT. I don't live near Fairfield. I can't see returning to Rawley's. Especially, given that one of the best CT hot dog spots is also in Fairfield, and another is up the road a bit in Milford. 3 Stars for the whole experience. 3.75 Stars for the hot dog. read more

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My first time visiting this local staple in Fairfield, CT. We ordered a hot dog with ketchup, a grilled chicken breast sandwich and onion rings. My favorite item were the onion rings. They were fresh, crispy and just delicious. My only complaint is they brought no type of dipping sauce with it. The chicken breast sandwich was fresh but basic. The hot dog apparently is a Hummel hot dog. I enjoyed they toasted the bun so it was warm and toasty. The location is off a main road and has parking. There are a few seats if you choose to dine in. I found the hot dog curtains adorable. Service was quick. They turned over the few tables quickly. Prices were reasonable. I'd visit again. read more

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Had two hot dogs with mustard, relish, and onions. They were fantastic. Highly recommend Rawleys.

Nothing has changed inside except for the curtains which I loved The chili for the hot dogs not as good as I remembered. Tastes like a not so good version of Hormel's. The fries were as good as could be. read more

Rawleys Drive-In - Love the curtains - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

I travel 2,262 miles once a year to ensure I get blessed by a holy Rawleys dog!! Best dog around. read more

A solid dog at a very popular locale #3 on our hot dog trek, and we came all the way to Rawleys to try a hot dog that's raved about by many. The place is small, not a lot of places to sit and not a lot of room to order, wall has a ton of names scawled against the walls, but everything was clean. The staff were extremely friendly, constantly cleaning and asking if we were all set. dogs came out quickly, and we managed to get a seat, get pics, and have a couple dogs. The Hot Chihuahua, not very hot. it has a little spice, but not a ton. The onions were appreciated though. The chili cheese dog, the chili is a thick bean chili. Was a little spicy, glad to get a little heat. Hot dog is a solid snap natural casing dog with a slice of fake cheese. Overall, a solid hot dog. The fake cheese slice and the lack of heat on the spicy hot dog detracted from the meal. It's a good dog overall though, so it's worth a try. read more

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Absolutely the best roadside joint in lower Fairfield County. Hot dogs are really the best. If you remember the chili dogs from the Sherwood Diner in Darien (now closed), then you will LOVE these dogs! Service is unbelievably fast considering the constant flow on patrons. It is small, but very clean and seaside town festive. A definite stop for all our trips to the coast. read more

First time here for a nice juicy cheese burger and fries. The place was plenty busy. I hadn't realized there were places inside to eat-which is great. Retro feel from a time when everyone traveled down this road and this was thee spot in Fairfield to grab a bite ( a lovely Fairfield resident explained this all to me while food was being prepared). The burger was moist and tasty, the O Rings were golden and crunchy. All hit the spot. Eay to find when driving by, parking available. Quick service made to order. Great place still to grab a bite. read more

Rawleys Drive-In - Cheeseburger with O Rings - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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Best hotdog sandwich in CT! My fave is The Works! Try the fries or onion rings as well.

Best hot dogs in town!!!! I love the bun and the workers are always so friendly. I've been coming here since I was little and it's always the best. read more

Grabbed some take out from here while in the area visiting and it was good. Yummy burgers. read more

Rawleys Drive-In - a car parked in a parking lot - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

There could not be a more perfect spot for lunch on a road trip! My mom and I wanted to stop for lunch on our way to Cape Cod. We were looking for something quick, but better than McDonald's. Rawley's looked so cute online and was right off of 95. We are so happy we stopped here! The vibe is super cute and retro. They have seating inside. You order at the counter and then they bring their food to you. I have chicken fingers and fries and my mom had one of their signature hot dogs. We couldn't have loved our meal more! Everything was made fresh. I'm pretty sure even the ranch that I got to dip my chicken in was homemade. The fries were perfectly salted and definitely hand cut. Even though this is an older building, the entire place was spotless! I saw the owner constantly cleaning tables after people left. The bathroom was definitely newly renovated as well. Overall, it's the perfect spot for awesome food! I will definitely be back if I'm ever in the area. read more

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Favorite hot dog in the area. An overall positive experience every time I grab a bite here. I recommend the "Hot Chihuahua".

Ordered pickup. My order was ready quickly and the service was polite. Onion rings were good. Some were a little thick leaving the onion a little al dente but overall, good. Hot dog was fantastic. Nice bun, great taste. The burger was terrible. Not the burger I remember. The patty itself was dry and didn't taste fresh. The texture was off. No char on the outside. The patty was grey and the same color on the outside as it was on the inside. Kinda bummed. For a burger, I'll go to five guys next time. read more

Fairfield, Connecticut is my hometown. Haven't lived there since the 80's, A LOT has changed around town since then, but Rawleys Drive-In is one of the few things that has stood the test of time. If anything, our experience today was better than my memories from long ago, that's something which doesn't happen too often. Stopped in just after Noon for lunch w/ the wife. We ordered a bacon cheeseburger, a Hot Dog w/ "the works", a large cheese fries, and a B & W milkshake. Our food came out after short wait. The B & W milkshake was outstanding, we both loved it, very flavorful. Fries were hand cut, a nice touch. Everything else was fresh & tasty, it all hit the spot. I read several negative Yelp reviews, I would ignore them. I don't understand what they are complaining about, this place is Winner. My wife agrees too. Staff is very friendly also. We are looking forward to our next visit to Rawleys when we are back in the area. read more

Rawleys Drive-In - Bacon cheeseburger, at Rawleys Drive-In in Fairfield, CT. - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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I have been enjoying Rawley's since 1985. This hot dog shack has changed hands a few times over those years and I'm glad to see that the most recent ownership has returned to its roots. They have put a fresh coat of paint here and there, installed a new POS system and adequately staffed the joint. Like back in the day, you only need to order three things at Rawley's - hot dogs, fries and a shake. If you like the works or chili & cheese or plain, Rawley's dogs are always hot and fresh. The fries are crisp and flavorful - they could be twice fried - I'm not sure. They taste great. Do yourself a favor and enjoy Rawley's. We do every time. read more

Rawleys Drive-In - Chili & Cheese Dog with cheeseburger. - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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Great local dive. Owner and staff are friendly and attentive. Locally sourced fresh burger meat. Homemade aioli is great for burgers and fries has some heat and smoke in it. Burgers get deliciously messy. Homemade apple hand pies with vanilla ice cream, yum!! Quick food, great guilty pleasure food stop. read more

Rawleys Drive-In - Double cheese burger and onion rings - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

I always find that hot dog stands have a lot of charm, and Rawley's in Fairfield is no exception. They use Hummel hot dogs (my favorite!), and the small dining area is decorated with classic decor and funky hot dog curtains. The hot dogs have a nice snap to them, similar to the cooking style of Blackie's in Cheshire. Their cheese fries and the chili on top of our cheese dog were both delicious. read more

Rawleys Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

I can't even talk about how good this dog was. Spouse also says that the black bean burger was amazing, but I had my mouth too full of hot dog to try it. Sorry. I also didn't think it was my thing, but apparently I'm a "The Works" person, too. We're from the Midwest, but I've lived here for 30 years, and in all my meat experience, I have never had a hotdog this good until Rawley's. It was almost a religious experience. I will drive 2 hours just to go here again. I guess I could talk about it. Also, french fries = perfect. read more

I loved this places as a kid. And it hadn't really changed when I literally stumbled upon it again only a few years ago. It was completely the same and I was transported back in time.. Great memories of coming here with my Dad and getting great bacon cheeseburgers. Just writing this is making me want to be there again. If your in the area or even a little ways away, I'd say it's a sure thing. Now I'm hungry again. read more

Delicious and friendly! Burgers and fries and great and love that they have brewed, unsweetened iced tea!

This place is PHENOMENAL. Consistently delicious, award-winning hot dog joynt. But the really special thing here is that everything in the menu is quality. The cheeseburger is literally my favorite in town - it's fresh, juicy, deliciously amazing. The owner is always there - and he sincerely cares about every dish that goes out the door. His proprietary from scratch veggie patty burger is gaining the attention of chefs from NYC - it's apparently on another level altogether (I've not had it but the word of mouth is out). Get a double cheeseburger, some cheese fries and a "side" hot dog and you will be thanking me. read more

Celebrating it's 75th year, Rawleys is a Fairfield County staple that serves up a flavor packed selection of all-time American favorites. World famous for their Hummel Hot Dogs, Rawleys offers a massive variety of toppings including a pretty righteous, "Cincinnati-Style" chili packed with flavor. All ingredients are locally sourced and everything on the menu is handmade and cooked to order. The hot dogs are a wonderful option but don't sleep on the burgers and sides. The handpicked beef patties are well seasoned and perfectly cooked. I enjoy mine just dripping with cheese. The fries are hand-cut in house, and the beer battered onion rings are some of the best I've ever had; great onion to breading ratio. Looking to go all out Americana? Accompany your meal with one of the delicious milkshakes. Rawley's Drive-In is open daily and open for dine-in and takeout. Definitely check out this family friendly legend. read more

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Yummy hotdog! The owner was very kind and shared some history about Rawleys. Nice staff and good food. read more

Rawleys Drive-In - The works dog, onion rings that are big enough to share! - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

Ok life can be as simple as a great hot dog and attentive customer service some tasty onion rings not to mention adding bacon cheese and grilled onions to the dogs....flavor flavor flavor and taste taste taste it's all there....highly recommend read more

I heard a lot about this place and just had to go and try the chili cheese dog. Although it tasted great, I wish they had used better cheese instead of the sliced cheese they just layed on top of the hot dog. I love the urban feel of the place where you can just sit and dine and write your name on the wall if you'd like. Really cool vibe. The strawberry shake I had was one of the best shakes I've ever had. Definitely would recommend it. read more

I was really looking forward to having a chili dog from this place but unfortunately it was very underwhelming. The dogs were ok, nothing special, actually I could have gone up the street to another local spot and had a better experience. The staff was a bit rude and it seemed like she was having a bad day. The one endearing thing about the place is that it seemed like one of those old time places where one becomes nostalgic about earlier days but it did not happen. I guess based on the Food channels recommendation which they are quick to point out, I just did not get it. read more

Rawleys Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

The BEST hotdogs ever!! Delicious!! I order one for myself and one plain hot dog for my little furry girl who patiently waits in the car. Highly recommend! read more

So came here with LRoth one night. It was a bit before closing, but they were quite kind in still letting us order. So this was recommended to me by a co-worker, and I figured I should give it a shot. Hot dogs were good. Nice bite and chew to the skin. The chili on it was flavorful. Burgers were delicious. Juicy and plenty of flavor. I'd definitely give this place a shot. read more

Revise your hours to reflect that you don't close at 7:00 you stop serving at 6:45. It's not normal to say you're open till 7:00 but you don't serve somebody that shows up at 6:45 it's only a hot dog read more

5 stars easy. This place hits all points. Great service. Great food. Very clean. We had the chili dogs, fries and a cheeseburger. The fries were typical, the cheeseburger was good - not dry and chili dog was heavenly. We are not in the immediate area but will drop by for this chili dog. read more

Not too sure what the big deal was about this place. We got the deluxe dog with everything on it. The condiments were good and the dog was delicious, but the bun was just so-so, a standard dog bun. I guess their main claim to fame is that Martha (Stewart), Meg Ryan, and Paul Newman used to frequent them. The food itself was a-ok but nothing to write home to Yelp about. The black and white milkshake was yummy, not too thick not too thin. The lemonade was just standard pink stuff. Overall, it was a good 'dog joint but certainly not the best dog I had in my life. And certainly not as mind-blowing, life-changing as the discovery of steamed cheeseburgers. Note: They do have little booths in the back where you can sit and eat, and the ladies bathroom wasn't totally disgusting. read more

Rawleys Drive-In - Rawley's Counter - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

They got some nice wieners here! Length and girth! Apparently a fav of old Martha Stewart, not like I care but I'm throwing some hot dog gossip out there. Didn't like the sour kraut but the dog and bacon chips are amazing. If you like cheese make sure to add it to your "works dog." read more

Rawleys Drive-In - Burgers Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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Drove out here for a doctor's appt and I don't buy food from new places too often. But after Rawley's, I literally downloaded Yelp to praise them, lol! Lovely spot, lovely people, friendly environment; I definitely recommend! read more

Yummy yummy! The toasted bun and the great condiments is worth a trip. I día i eres this spot recently and am glad I did.

Best glizzys I've ever had! I love how small and Intimate this place is. I also like how I can watch them prepare my food. Staff are always very friendly! read more

Earlier this week I had the best spicy shrimp salad sandwich I've ever had (large shrimp, mixed in a Sriracha-mayonnaise, served on a lightly-buttered-and-toasted, New England style hot dog bun - even the edges of the lettuce accompanying it were perfectly curled and picture-perfect green). Here's the backstory: So, 2 weeks before the Covid lockdown, AJ buys "Rawley's" on the Post Road in Fairfield - he's the 4th owner as it's been around for decades, famous for its fried and other takes on the hot dog. Since he can't open, AJ told me he spent 6 months scrubbing the joint down, head to toe, grill to air vents. Then he takes 40+ years of his experience in the restaurant business and expands Rawley's offerings (I learned all of this while AJ filled me in as I was eating lunch there). I didn't know anything about Rawley's (other than that a close friend of mine had gone there years ago, after it was featured on the Food Network, and mentioned it has folklore-status as a roadside, must-go "dive"). That is, until a few nights ago when my wife and I went to Dairy Queen and I wandered next door to look at Rawley's, which was closed for the night. But, I happened upon its menu. One of the offerings is "Cold Spicy Shrimp Roll" - at a place like Rawley's that sounded like a dare if there ever was one. So, a few days ago, I decided to check it out for a late lunch. I got to the counter and asked "does anyone ever order the shrimp roll" (fearing it could just be some frozen afterthought that they might nuke and serve), and the teenager working the counter responded: "that's my favorite item on the menu." Long story short - it was outstanding, and the fries were among the best too (I requested "extra crispy"). An elderly couple in the booth one down from mine commented that they got off the highway to come there based on what they had heard, and said the hamburger they just ordered was excellent - AJ then added that he buys the beef ("85%/15% ratio") daily. When he was recounting his resume he initially referred to Rawley's as a "fast-food" restaurant, then corrected himself, and said "it's not fast food, because every order is prepared fresh, if there are 5 people standing in line ordering hot dogs, each one will be made to order, so you may have to wait a bit". The sit-down, back room has palpable charm - wood paneled walls with pocket-knife engravings-and-all from decades of patrons - it's a history-laden, legit version of the faux "Burger Joint NYC" dining room at the former Parker Meridian Hotel in Manhattan (not to denigrate BJNYC - also one of my favorites - just that Rawley's has the pedigree and charm that only comes from decades of history, and quality that goes hand-in-hand with having a proprietor like AJ who takes such palpable pride in what he offers). I'll definitely go to Rawley's again (and again)! read more

Best hot dogs in the area! They toast the buns up with butter to give it some extra flavor, too. The service was really friendly, and the food came out really fast. Highly recommended if you're in the area and want a quick bite. read more

A true throwback. Great dogs, I recommend the chili cheese with kraut. The fries are better than McDonalds. Service top notch, wish there were more places like this. read more

Listen let me start off with this: I avoid hot dogs. I don't like hot dogs. But my fiancé was showing me all the places in his hometown and I was starving so I agreed to come. Needless to say, Rawleys made me like hot dogs. My only regret is how fast I ate my chili cheese hot dog. I was so impressed, we order chili fries and a shake and listen, I am more of a smoothie person and I'm making sure to come back for their chocolate cherry shake. Customer service is amazing, lovely people, even lovelier atmosphere, it's honestly worth a visit. read more