Waka Dog is the definition of "hole in the wall" local spot! My boys and I were visiting from out of town to catch a basketball game and wanted a quick bite to eat before we hit the road. Enter Waka Dog! When we walked in the door, I was getting the vibe that the decor had not changed in many years. From the classic Vienna hotdogs posters to the random hand drawn signs, I was getting excited because I had a sense it didn't even matter what the decor was because the food must be so good this place will NEVER shut down! Lol! But then I discovered the secret sauce. The lady that waited on us was one of the kindest humans I met! It was almost like she was family, and she was gonna make sure we were taken care of! Her service was amazing and she made sure our cups were full the whole time. Now to the food... I'm a sucker for a good old Maxwell Street style Polish sausage and they NAILED IT! No frills or remixing required...sausage, mustard, onions, sport peppers! Perfection! Not to mention the fries, which were a dark horse favorite. All in all, it was the perfect spot to feel at home before we headed home! Will definitely be back! Hopefully they wouldn't have changed a thing! read more

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This is a stoner and/or foodie's dream!! The food was so good! They had so many options to choose from that it's hard to decide, so we will certainly be back to work our way through the menu. The service was great! Friendly and fast. It's a cute little hole in the wall with some ND charm. Highly recommend if you want some tasty food at a good price! read more

Waka Dog - Birria Tacos and Birria quesadilla with consume - Hot Dogs Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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The food was good and service was fantastic. Our server was on top of everything and extremely nice. I had the bacon mac and cheese smash burger and it was good, the taste is similar to a carnival burger but high quality ingredients. There hotdogs are very good according to my family. The environment is a chill early 2000s vibe with many Notre Dame posters. Overall, great experience and if you're craving a great hotdog for affordable prices then I'd swing by. read more

Worst food EVER! My hamburger bun was hard and burned on top. My hamburger was rubbery and had some nasty seasoning on it. There was barely any ketchup on my burger. It was Gross! read more

Shoutout to my coworkers for putting me on--Waka Dog is THAT spot! Tried the street tacos and fries with the works and wow, worth every extra penny. I don't think they're on the menu, but my coworker recommended it and boy were they on to something! The tacos were packed with flavor and super fresh, and the fries? Absolute game-changer when you load them up. Love that it's so close by too--convenient and delicious is a dangerous combo. I'll definitely be back to try more! read more

Waka Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Food and experience was great! The menu has a huge variety of food options to choose from. The smash burgers were very good, comparable to a five guys burger but better. The fries were good and crispy. The service was great also, we got sat and waited on right away, and the food came out in a decent amount of time. The cafe itself provided card games/board games to play while waiting for your food. Overall it was a very pleasant and delicious experience! read more

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Amazing food. My husband loves the Chicago Dogs. Highly recommend! Can't wait to go back.

We ended up at Waka Dog after a friend recommended this place to us as a place to grab a quick bite on our way back home from vacation. We had three kids with us and needed quick, cheap, kid friendly, and of course, delicious. The inside was full of Notre Dame football memorabilia, of course-what else in South Bend!-and there was a ton of comfy seating. Our waitress Abby was so sweet and attentive to our needs. My husband and I got the two dog basket, which came with two hot dogs of our choice, a drink, and a side of fries. He got the classic Chicago dog and I went with the house Augie Dog-coney sauce, cheese sauce, and cole slaw. Our daughters got a kids cheeseburger and a kids hot dog, which came with fries, drink, and fruit snacks. Our toddler just wanted some fries. The food was hot, fresh, and absolutely amazing. The dogs were perfect, and the fries were the BEST. Crispy and hot and salty and just what you want in a French fry. We took a bite of our daughter's burger and that was delicious as well! This was an awesome awesome awesome pick and we can't wait to come back and try other menu options. This place appears to be way too slept on, and that needs to change. read more

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Great place to seat down or pick up to go , best dogs in town ! There French Fry's are awesome !

We got carryout. My chicago dogs were perfect, fries could have used some time in the fryer. Crinkle fries would have been de riguer for a mom and pop quick service....alas none. My wifes coney dogs had straight up sloppy joe on it..it was not chili. It was cooked hamburger suspended in a sweetish sauce. It was not chili. I repeat not chili. Fried mushrooms could have used more time in the fryer as well. New managemnet...some bugs to work out. Ymmv read more

So I would suggest you call first, they will randomly close early or not open at all. And ordering online will let you go through the whole process and after you try to checkout it will say they aren't taking orders. This happened multiple times to my family. Not sure if maybe that's why they aren't busier. I'm sure it's not just me this happens to. read more

Great smash burgers fries and hot dogs. Prices for 2022 are very reasonable in my opinion making this a great deal.

Stopped to celebrate National Hot Dog Day. Free regular dog w/purchase of a "Basket" Awesome to sit outside under covered walkway. Great service, great dogs. read more

Waka Dog - Chicago dog. - Hot Dogs Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

This little cafe tucked in the back of a tiny shopping area has some of the best hotdogs and burgers you could find anywhere. Let's start with the hotdogs. Vienna beef hotdogs are on a whole other level than even your Nathan's or Hebrew National. And Waka Dog has enough topping choices that you will want to keep going back to try more! But unexpectedly they also have fantastic smash burgers! I mean it was literally perfect! In fact all our food was right down to the perfect French fries, crisp and salty and fluffy in the middle and the fried dill pickle chips! I am so mad at myself for not going in sooner! Worth the calories and money! read more

Great hot dog place in town. The dogs are the main draw but their wraps are pretty decent as well. If you're feeling adventurous there's a ridiculous eating contest you can attempt. If you beat the previous record you get to rename it. Is that valor and illustrious privilege worth vomiting up $40 worth of food at a hot dog place? I'm not so sure but I'd love to live stream it. read more

We LOVE this place! The Hillbilly and Chicago style dogs are the best ever! Service is outstanding and friendly (ask for Austin...he's great) and the prices very reasonable. If I could give it TEN stars....I would. read more

Right away any place that has a hot dog covered in sloppy joe mix rather than the standard chili and cheese has piqued my curiosity. The thing with hot dog places is I don't expect them to wow me with gourmet dogs and high-priced ingredients. I'm really only looking for originality in the way they combine elements. I can get a chicago dog anywhere. I want something that's going to wow, some kind of hot dog or sausage I won't be able to get anywhere else. Waka Dog Cafe satisfies this critera admirably. Their menu is full of interesting surprises when it comes to hot dogs and sausages. Not only that, but they manage to squeeze in items you normally don't find in a hot dog joint like spaghetti and meat loaf. I'm not saying you should expect anything more than it is. It is a cheap, convenient place to grab a hot dog now and again. But within that construct is a place that may just surprise you at how varied their menu is as well as their willingness to expand on what a hot dog can taste like with different toppings. read more

My daughter and I went to Waka Dog for dinner and were not disappointed. She got a smashburger basket and I got a Chicago dog basket. Both were delicious! Fresh ingredients, super hot salty fries, attentive waitress, quick service. All great! We'll be back! read more

Wide variety of dogs and toppings. All are good. The one with pulled pork and mac n cheese is superb. Sloppy Joes are good as well. Onion rings rock. Their "smash" burgers are great. The do have salads if you are going healthy, but if you are going healthy, why come here? read more

Wow, I know its under new owner's and all but I had placed my order over the phone so I could take some food up to the hospital for my husband and I to eat. He asked for the BBQ Pull Pork Sandwhich and side of slaw and the other was Sloopy Joes with a side of mozzarella and we have had these items before with the previously owners. So, both sandwhich tasted burnt and also tasted old the coleslaw had a very bitter tasted. And the person that was checking me out and was waiting on tables was super slow, I am sorry but the place is small anyone should be able to handle proper service to customer's waiting to pick up there order and also make sure they have what the customer is asking for, I got to the hospital and we had now plastic ware or napkins. read more

My wife and I went in there and got Chicago style hot dog which was fantastic hotdog was very tasty bun was warming warm and fresh. Also ordered a order of onion rings they were came out very hot very tasty I definitely go back again and the owner and workers were very friendly at this strange time. read more

The hot dog was cold and the price is too much . I will never go here again the Must have change ownership.... Stay away

1. Cleanliness- place appears to be clean. Our table was wiped off 2. Staff- our waitress was friendly and punctual 3. Food- was pretty good. BF notes that buns could have been fresher. The hot dog was an average hot dog and seemed to be boiled rather than grilled. read more

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Great food! Awesome service, as well as desserts!!

At first I was disappointed. Never did I expect this place to be a hotdog restaurant. The name on the building clearly says that it's a place where you can go and walk a dog. It's a little surprising to walk into the place and not see a dog or even a single leash. I decided to try the hotdogs and they were very good to my amazement. This is the #1 hotdog joint in town but I'm afraid that too many people think it's a place where you you can take dogs for a walk. It would be a good idea to change the name so people don't get confused. read more

I'm a huge hot dog person an prefer hot dogs over hamburgers any day. I call it hot dog paradise. I love their hillbilly hot dog. It's awesome. I love the fact that they have VIENNA hot dogs, and not plain generic hot dogs one might find in a grocery store. But make sure you get a jumbo hot dog and not a regular hot dog. The regular hot dogs are tiny. Also the fries are devine, and the staff is very personable, and attentive. But for the most part If a person is looking for really great new twist on a hot dog... Waka dog is the way 2 go!!! read more

Mediocre frozen beef patty fried until technically done but without any real flavor, served on a mushy bun isn't exactly a compelling dish. Maybe in downtown mishawaka where there's more foot traffic and there isn't a much better option for the same kinds of food *right next door* this would have been a better option. My dining companion did not seem particularly thrilled with his Chicago dogs, either. The waitress was nice, though, and good at keeping our drinks topped off. That's worth a star, even if the chances I'd go back to the restaurant are nil. read more

I always get the hillbilly dog. Its absolutely amazing. The coleslaw is hands down the best around.

We parked in their parking lot for the football game. We figured what better way to celebrate a Georgia bulldog win than having some dogs. I must say even wearing the opposing schools colors the staff were incredibly friendly and happy to have us there. The chili cheese dogs were good and prices were reasonable for a restaurant so close to campus. read more

Waka Dog - Zachs Yankee Dog with fries - Hot Dogs Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

The BEST Hot Dogs are here. Plus, sides such as soups are homemade by the owner. Try the Stuffed Pepper Soup! Near campus and not far from town. The owners are the nicest people you'll ever meet. They really take good care of regulars! read more

They ALWAYS take the best care of me and my coworkers when we order carryout. Always good fresh food and a friendly environment. Best hot dogs around ! (Chicago dogs ) read more

Got a hair on my very over-priced hot dog for a bonus. Will never be back. For those ND football fans that are so wasted you don't care about what you get this place is great. For the rest us locals that know better King Gyros is much better. read more

This place is really great. The food is amazing. I had the macadog the other day and I am still craving another. And it's surprisingly a reasonable price. You can take the family, make them happy, and not blow your budget. I am so happy we discovered this place! read more

Was very disappointed in the food and service. After reading reviews I thought it would be nice for our anniversary lunch. Food was bland and the buns would be better warm or toasted! read more

I had one of the best burgers I've ever had here, and I'm not exaggerating. It also cost peanuts. The process used to create it was described to me, but I cannot recall all the details. In any case, go get a burger! I can't comment on the hot dogs, but who cares when the burgers are this good! read more

Best hotdogs in the area. We try to go every week. Their Chicago dog with peppers is my all time favorite read more

Great little place. Good food. Not a chain store. Will be back soon. Very friendly staff easy to get in and out

I love this place! I first went here about a month ago, and have been twice a week since. The WakaBurger is the best! SO much so, that i havent tried anything else. the fries are awesome too. My Wife always orders and loves the Chicago dog. It looks incredible. Wait staff is the best. reminds me of a home-town diner compared to the big chains that just churn out sub-par products. will be back...a lot. The prices are great also..Wife and I and our 3yr old - all left full and happy. for less than $20. cant beat that. read more

Waka Dog offers great food and a great atmosphere with friendly staff. Staples for me were the Chicago and New York dogs, which are both excellent. I also ventured to other dogs on the menu for variety and was never disappointed, and I would recommend other fellow loyal customers to follow a similar path even after they've found their favorites. Staff and owner(s) will come by to see how you're doing, how the food is, and even for a quick friendly chat, which I always thought was great. Grab some carry-out while all this COVID nonsense continues - you won't be disappointed. Keep up the great work Waka Dog, and I'll be back in soon! read more

Really like Waka Dog. Caveman dog, with sloppy joe sauce rocks. Burgers are good, so are fries. Lasagna when it is available kicks. Only thing I would like to see is for them to butter and toast the buns. Would be outstanding. read more