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    The Red Caboose

    4.7 (86 reviews)
    InexpensiveFast Food
    Closed Closed

    The Red Caboose Photos

    THE RED CABOOSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Red Caboose

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    From left to right, Cheese Fries (with onions and black pepper), Cheese dogs (with onions) and a cheeseburger!
    Falaksher N.

    Always a pleasure going to The Red Caboose! Their dogs and burgers are amazing! Simple but tasty and affordable! They can get busy but the service is great! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very nostalgic and quaint atmosphere that you absolutely have to try![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Hot dog and chili/cheese fry
    Christina S.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Visited on a beautiful sunny spring Saturday afternoon, the place was packed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The line was out the door however it moved very quickly and we received our food within minutes. The food did not disappoint. We each had a hotdog and shared a chili cheese fry and it was very affordable coming in it just under $10. Can't beat this place for a quick lunch way better than traditional fast food. CASH only!

    Chili cheese woofer, excellent fries, and the pickles from the condiment station were delicious
    Eric R.

    Hadn't been in almost twenty years. Saw a recent review, and after a couple of private messages, I knew I had to give it another go. Hat tip to Chris B. It was exactly as I remembered it, and I was pleasantly surprised the prices were still very reasonable. A chili cheese woofer, and freshly made fries were a perfect pre-valentlines day lunch. The service was spot-on, and very fast. After I received my order, maybe 8 people came in, and by the time I was barely halfway done, everyone had been served. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's no real ambiance, it's a red caboose hot dog stand for goodness sake : )[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I need to get back again sooner rather than later, and I'm hoping to try the other menu items. Wish they had longer hours, but people in hell wish for ice water. Run, do not walk to the Red Caboose!!!!

    Entrance to Red Caboose
    Mark M.

    Hot dogs and fries. Fast given the number of people ahead of us. A local landmark apparently that has been here for many years

    Kaylee B.

    This is a IYKYK place. Bring cash!! This place is really affordable and has the best hot dogs and fries you couldn't even imagine. If you're here on a nice day, there will most definitely be a line outside! The works are quick, efficient, and clean. It's great for anyone traveling down 51 and looking for a quick & good (every time) food joint, this is your spot. They're known for cheese fries or gravy fries. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The buns melt right in your mouth. This is also great for truck drivers, as they have a huge parking lot for easy in and out access on 51. Locally owned, check them out!

    Cash only
    Krista Z.

    If you want a good - from the griddle not the water pot dog - then this is the place! Look for the red caboose on 51 in Rostraver... but get there early - it's only open till 4! Oh ... you want to be in the mood for a dog ... cause that's what they do! Lots of choices for topping .. onions, ketchup, fancy mustard, cheese, chili cheese, etc. Did I mention they are $1??!! Cause, they are! The do have outdoor picnic tables so you can bring your pets!

    Chili Cheese Dog, Kraut Dog, French Fries

    Wow. Just wow. What a phenomenal roadside eatery! Staff was very quick and friendly handling our order with ease. Our food was excellent, I mean who doesn't enjoy a hot dog on the 4th of July weekend? $20 provided us with more than enough food, and then enough for leftovers! Needless to say, this mom & pop roadside stop will remain a staple in my summer activities!

    Menu
    Kristy B.

    The red caboose has been a Mon Valley staple for over 40 years. Yinzers, locals and passer-bys will stand in line out the door of this little red train car in all types of weather to grab an affordable lunch. The menu holds all the classics a roadside stop should have: chili cheese dogs, fries and fountain drinks, served up steaming hot off the grill and faster than fast food. They also sell kielbasa, hot sasuage and angus burgers. While the menu sure is low in price, that does not come with any sacrifice to the taste. The basic hot dog will only set you back $1.50, with their most expensive item, chili cheese fries, being just $5.99. Drinks are sold for the awesome price of $1.50 with free refills. Outside you can sit under the well known patriotic hot dog statue showering itself in ketchup to enjoy your meal. Many metal picnic tables are avaliable for your convenience as this is a "take out only" shop. FYI cards are not accepted so don't forget your cash! If you haven't paid a visit to the red caboose yet, then what are you waiting for? Make it a day out and bring the whole family, everyone is sure to enjoy. While your visiting this stretch of route 51, check out some other places nearby to burn off all the calories from lunch: Rostraver airport/eagles landing- watch small planes take off or get dessert. Bills golfland- mini golf, dek hockey, driving range, and ice cream! Round Hill Park- farm animals, play grounds, walking trails Cedar creek park- bike trails, boat ramps, playgrounds, hikers camp area, dog park Family fun scapes- mini golf, wooden corn maze

    Chili Cheese Dog, Keilbasa, and fries.

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    Review Insights

    4 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    2 days ago

    Quick service, excellent food, great prices, outside tables. Don't drive by, stop for lunch!

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    Went to lunch yesterday! Great hot dogs for the price. Cheese fries are amazing and free refills on drinks . Service was fantastic

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Good food, fast service, good value, a great place to pick up a fast lunch. Just wish they were open longer

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The long lines say it all!! Fast service, and a really good dog. And French fries are to die for.

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    The red caboose is great for when you just need a quick meal,but sometimes they are busy.

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    4 years ago

    Good food cheaply priced friendly staff. Hotdogs and hamburgers coke products French fries I highly recommend

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    7 years ago

    Great place. Best dogs and service. Fresh onions. Drive out of your way to visit and you won't be disappointed.

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Me and my dad come here sometimes and it is so so good the fries are the best ever I definitely recommend it!

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    4 years ago

    Horrible burger don't even no how to describe it rubbery and weird ,fries were nothing great.

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Always good consistent food. Line goes fast. It's worth the stop. Fries with gravy are the best. You won't be disappointed.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Even though my wife doesn't like this place, I Love it! Best Hot Dogs with Kraut!!

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    Page 1 of 3

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    McDonald's - worm #2

    McDonald's

    1.9(20 reviews)
    76.7 mi
    $

    When home for a birthday weekend for one of my siblings, I had to run out to grab a few things. Not…read morehaving time to squeeze in dinner we had to make due. There are choices in this area, but we opted for what we thought would be fast. We should have gone elsewhere if we were looking for fast. This McDonald's has been here for decades. Outlasting the go cart track, multiple rebuilds of the Sheetz, and stores closing down nearby. We pulled in, later in the evening, and the parking lot was nearly empty. We actually wondered if the lobby was closed. But we took the chance to come inside. Like most locations, this one focuses too much on the drive thru. Which became apparent when we had placed our orders and waiting long than you should have to at a fast food place. What was surprising was the customer service. The lady that did end up serving our food to us was a delight. She was funny, didn't take any grief, and if I remember correctly, was singing while she worked. I loved that she put my Dad in his place. My Dad was being a bit too much asking for things that he could have grabbed himself. The food is what you would expect. I did give their new sandwich a try. It was decent and possibly too much food for one meal. The Big Arch is basically the Big Mac in a trench coat. Better cheese and fried onion straws. This location went through a change when McDonald's wanted to grow up, but they held onto some nostalgia things. Like Ronald McDonald outside on a bench and some of the old roofline. But, like I said, not many people will care since they are in the drive thru.

    If you're into dried out burgers that taste like yesterdays and cool fries that are actually the…read moreworst I've ever had in any McDonalds, this is the place for you. This hasn't happened on just one occasion but probably three over the several years I've lived near here. There's no use complaining, I just stopped going all together.

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    Front counter

    McDonald's

    McDonald's

    1.8(25 reviews)
    78.0 mi
    $

    manager here in 2024 called the police on luigi which is wrong and bad. Free luigi google jury…read morenullification

    After being out in the area my Dad started grumbling about how he was hungry. When Dad wants…read moresomething to eat, you find some place to eat. I wasn't in the mood for going to a sit down restaurant, so fast food it was. Yes, before I get further into this review, this is the infamous McDonald's that so many people wrote (and it appears to be that they are still doing so) bad reviews. So if you see a review with reference to pest control or cleanliness of the restaurant, bypass them. Most of those reviews are from people that are from out of state, probably never been to Pennsylvania, and most certainly have never been to Altoona. Not a dis, just a fact. When we got here, I have to say that the parking lot was really confusing. Even though this sits on the main drag through the area, it abuts a residential neighborhood. I was trying to circle around the lot to head back to the front (it is one-way) I didn't think you could because only looked like the drive thru was the only lane. Not to worry, there is a road, more of the size of an alley, that you can make your way back up around. This location has indoor and outdoor seating. We chose to dine inside. Ordering wise, I chose the kiosk, tapped away at the screen, got a table number and then headed to find a seat. Dining room was decently clean even though it was busy with people. Another note on the dining area, there is a lot of space taken up for things that shouldn't be there. There is one small alcove that has two tables, but not for customers, they have a bunch of stuff there for people to apply to work there, and possible they do job interviews there. Then there is the area towards the bathrooms, large enough to accommodate several people and great enough if you want to be antisocial. However, this area was kind of off limits. You know, the area where said incident took place. The staff seem to have taken up roots here. At the end of my meal I did head back here to use the restroom and almost every table had something on it. Laptops, paperwork, general nonsense items. That way no one could sit in this area. I understand, but if it is a busy and full dining room, customers should come first. As far as the food, the order was almost correct. The prepared items were definitely right, but when our food was brought to the table there were no drinks. When we brought that up the employee asked if we ordered from the kiosk. Obviously we did, why else were you delivering the food to the table, with the table number on it? Also, that shouldn't matter if we ordered at the kiosk or not, either fill the cups in the back and at the least give us our cups. When I did go fill our cups after finally getting them, that was a hassle. We both wanted sweet tea, but the two containers were both nearly empty. It was like I was standing there waiting for the tea to be freshly brewed. For the remainder of the meal, nothing special, it's McDonald's. I still am not the biggest fan, but will make do. I am also fairly sure this location does not warrant the low, fake reviews it currently has.

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    The Red Caboose - hotdogs - Updated August 2026

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