Dixie's Doghouse

JULY 2018 REVIEW: This review is painful since I love a good gourmet dog house and this has potential that is being missed by improper systems and flow management in a tight space. I did get served today though, unlike the last visit. I got here to all 3 tables being full, so knew I would be outside again. They did take my order at the counter this time and I stood inside while they made it. Cashier person was friendly but somehow just acted like he was still brand new (simple lack of confidence or tired?). Then the fiasco began. To make 2 dogs, 3 people plus the cashier all randomly participated by telling each other what they need while weenies bounce from person to person and back to a prior person. This went on for what seemed like 5 minutes for 2 dogs! And when my dog finally shows up it is missing the onion I requested on the coney, disappointing. So upon asking for the onion it got handled by 3 people again as somehow it took one to hold and two to work the onion. Total weenie abuse! To have 4 people in the kitchen bumping into each other and orders not being accurate, that is an operation fail. With this many people trying to work together in a tight space the system needs strictly defined (I am an expert in this area). Anyway. The coney dog was good and the coney chili had a kick (more kick than I remember but I love spice so it worked). The brat was another story. The onion and pepper topping was soggy and stringy telling me those sat in a warmer too long. And the brat was not fully cooked in the center as the middle was cool. This operational fail and inconsistent quality makes me sad since I do love gourmet dogs and that niche is lacking in the whole Clearwater St Pete market. JUNE 2018 REVIEW: About a month ago the ownership changed and it is already noticeable. Been a regular for quite some time now and was looking forward to the new owners carrying on the legacy. Sadly. The new folks are clearly overwhelmed and appear to have little prior restaurant or customer service experience. Third visit now in about 3 weeks for me under new owners and their ship is slowly sinking. The menu has been cut down and the friendliness of recognizing a customer that comes in about once a week is now gone, prior owner was more welcoming and paid attention (cared). And today was real bad. Walked in and counter person says have a seat and they will take my order since was eating in (the standard here). All 3 inside tables taken so sat outside. Gal took order of table behind me and for some reason was fumbling answering some tourists questions about her menu (and I seen her working here for the last couple weeks so not like the menu should be a surprise). She went back inside and then returned to drop off their drinks eventually and back inside she went again not paying any attention to me and another customer waiting. So he walked off, likely never to be seen again here. And after 10 more minutes she still never came back out. Sat there from about 12:10 to 12:40 waiting! So went back inside and was told again in an inattentive way to have a seat and she will be with me soon. Really? He did not even care to notice I was the same customer who been waiting around a half hour already. And yes. I did time it because I planned on writing a review today with pictures of my lunch and a food summary. Not a rant like this. So I am now going elsewhere today. And sadly not for a coney dog and fries. I will return in a month or two and hope things improve.

The way to spot the place serving a Chicago dog, but no one in the place ever had a real one is how and where they put the mustard. This is how it is done: bun, hot dog, mustard on the hot dog, green relish, onions, sliced tomatoes, sport peppers, a slice of dill pickle and celery salt. The guys behind the counter say it doesn't matter that they use diced tomatoes and put the mustard on top. I disagree.

We ordered a Kraut Dog, 2 bags of Cheetos, a Polish Sausage with Kraut and onions. A Chocolate Milkshake with Whipped Cream and a Sprite, and finish it off with a piece of Key Lime Pie, tart and delicious. Food was excellent and Justin who was the cook and server was very pleasant, courteous and very helpful.

Looking at Yelp while on Vacation we came across the Dixie Dog House and its reviews. Although we have passed directly in front of this location on every trip and have eaten next door but we never stopped. Today, after reading the review on Yelp and looking at the menu we decided to stop in and visit. EXCELLENT customer service from the moment we walked inside the door. We both sat down and ordered a Chicago Dog fully dressed along with an order of fries and two soft drinks. A filling meal at a total of only $17.85 for two people. The Chicago Dogs were authentic, served on a poppy seed bun, a Vienna beef dog, mustard, two sport peppers, green relish, tomato, onion, celery salt. The only place you can get anything better is going to be at Portillo's in Chicago. The fries were good, cooked well and nice and crispy without being soggy or greasy. They also have Italian Beef which I have to go back and try. If you have never tried true Chicago Style Italian Beef then you will not know what a delicacy this is. But, once you try it you will be hooked. Dixie Dog is a small place that you will pass right by before you realize it. When you come across the causeway into Treasure Island it is right before the Floridian Sandwich Shop and if you see ABC Liquor you have gone to far already. Don't worry, you can turn right and cut back over and give this place a try, You will not be sorry and may find a new "must stop" location when in town,

Had a Chicago Dog for the first time, it was absolutely delicious! I also gave the chili cheese fries a try, they were the best I’ve ever had (I like mine with diced onions on top). Highly recommend this little shop if you’re looking for one of the best dogs in the area. The chili slaw dog met my every expectation!

Wish they had more seating and space, hot dogs were delicious. Cheese fries definently a "No No" for me, they torched the cheese on the hot dogs and they were horrible, tasted like torch. Would not recommend, but regular fries would have been good I am pretty sure. Pricey I paid for two hot dogs and two soda $13 bucks pretty much. Canned soda no fountain drinks here, I know that how a lot of Chicago dog places are, just mentioning for preference. First time going here in years must have new management.