This KC area hot dog place was just named one of the best in ‘the South’
A Kansas City area restaurant was honored by a popular publication as one of the best hot dog restaurants in the South.
While Missouri is widely considered the Midwest, Southern Living included Independence’s Up Dog in its regional list of “legendary” hot dog joints.
“Travel back to the 1950s at this business on Independence Square,” the article boasts. “Those bold topping combinations can also be added to a single, double, or triple smashburger if you prefer.”
The publication noted that the Rio Dog (bacon, onions, jalapeños, mustard and cream cheese) especially stands out.
The restaurant at 114 N. Independence St. has been serving up sizzling dogs since 2011.
Cindy and Kevin McClain, owners of Independence Square, offer a range of specialty hot dogs, including the Missouri dog (pickle, bacon, cheddar cheese, mustard) and the Chicago dog (pickle, tomato, relish, onions, sport peppers, mustard, and celery salt on a poppy seed bun).
It’s open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. It’s closed Sundays.
The McClains also own Square Pizza, which was part of the set of Hallmark’s “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” released at the end of last year. Square Pizza lives a few doors down from Up Dog and was transformed for the film into fictional barbecue restaurant Norma & Nick’s.
At the time of the film’s release, Cindy told The Star it’s been her mission to improve Independence’s reputation since she opened her first business on the square 27 years ago.
While Kansas City doesn’t have a surplus of hot dog restaurants, another is coming to the area soon. A ballpark-style hotdog restaurant called Ding Dong Dogs is planning to open in the South Plaza neighborhood at 320 E. 51st St.