I’m at the point where I only eat vegan hot dogs when traveling or on some sort of excursion. It’s the same with veggie burgers. There was a time when I ate them at home but now I reserve them exclusivity for eating out just so I don’t get tire or burnt out eating such things. Plus, it makes it much more of a treat.
Last time was last year when I tried the vegan frankfurter at AT&T Park during a Giants game. This time, this year, it’s right before going to the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.
Located close by on Irving Street between 17th and 18th Avenue is Underdog: The First Organic Hot Dog Joint. It’s a teeny-tiny spot serving both meaty and vegan hot dogs and sausages. You can kinda see how small it is, the red in the photo is the front door and window and that’s the entire width of the space inside. Outside, there’s a large mural on the side wall. Looks very San Francisco-ish, no?
From at least a half dozen vegan options to choose from, I got the Vegan Smoked Chipotle Sausage on a toasted wheat bun with grilled onions and a side of baked tater tots. The sausage tasted like it’s from Field Roast, which you know is good. The taters could have been just a tad more crispy. But overall, it was just the thing to fill me up before going to gawk at museum paintings.
All of the condiments are organic and you just help yourself. I piled on handcrafted sauerkraut, relish and ketchup after I snapped the photo. Sides are organic too, those that are vegan include coleslaw, potato salad and chili.
To drink, Underdog has a selection of homemade sodas along with bottled or canned organic juices and sodas. Pictured is the homemade mango vanilla soda served in a mason jar with a paper straw. I don’t normally drink sodas but I’ll make an exception for homemade.
Super friendly and they do their best to be a socially responsible business from recycling to using sustainable and biodegradable products. And they donate a portion of their profits to local charities. They may be the underdog but they sure are kicking butt.
I’m going to tell my son about Underdog — sounds like a great spot to know about.
Yum! I’ve never heard of Underdog but that dawg (and tots!) looks so great.
WOW this place looks incredible. Vegan hotdogs AND that soda! i think i need to plan a trip out asap!
I’ve never ordered a hotdog when eating out, even before going vegan, but I would totally go for this it at this joint! Wow is right- I’ve never seen a more appetizing faux-meat on a bun! Those caramelized onions are what really seal the deal.
The mural looks so adorable, and yes, very San Francisco-ish! I haven’t been there in a long time…I used to spent my childhood summers there! If it’s Field Roast sausage….I’m in…tastes so good! I just had a vegan banh mi today from WF and it has caramelized onions & field roast & jalapeños & cilantro & daikon, etc. So tasty! Field Roast rocks! Handcrafted sauerkraut and condiments all sound amazing with it! Thanks for the review!
I’m a huge vegan dog fan, ideally with sauerkraut and enough mustard to sink a ship. I’d be in Underdog far more than I really should if I lived nearby!
woah, that looks amazing. I want!