BUCKET LIST UPDATE No. 259: Eat at Honey’s Hot Dogs in Dothan

Honey's Hot Dogs in Dothan.

Honey’s Hot Dogs in Dothan, Ala. is a restaurant I’ve had on my “bucket list” for several years, and I finally got the chance to eat there for the first time this past Saturday afternoon. If you’re looking for a restaurant with character, a nice atmosphere and the best hot dog you’ve ever eaten, it’s going to be hard to top Honey’s Hot Dogs.

As best that I can remember, the first I ever heard of Honey’s Hot Dogs was in the September 2012 issue of Alabama Living magazine, which included a feature story about Honey’s Hot Dogs written by Jennifer Kornegay. She made Honey’s Hot Dogs sound so good that I added a trip to this restaurant to my bucket list three years ago. Having now eaten there, I can safely say that Honey’s definitely lives up to its reputation.

Honey’s Hot Dogs is located at 4554 Fortner St. in Dothan, and according to Kornegay’s article, the restaurant was opened in 2002 by owners James and Brenda Trawick. Many of you have probably wondered about how this restaurant got its name, and according to the feature story in Alabama Living magazine, James’ nickname is “Honey,” a moniker given to him by his granddaughter “because he’s so sweet.”

My son and I found ourselves in Dothan last Saturday around lunch time and decided to give Honey’s a try. We arrived a little after 12:30 p.m. and found the place busier that I would have expected on a Saturday afternoon in February. There were very few empty spots remaining in the parking lot when we arrived, and I saw folks coming and going the entire time we were there.

From the outside, the building, pictured above, looks like a small, hole-in-the-wall-style barbecue joint, but the place is a lot bigger on the inside than you’d expect. We entered and found the place packed, and the restaurant was so busy that we had to sign in and wait for a table to come available, along with half a dozen other people who were ready to chow down on a hot dog or two. We didn’t have to wait long, but while we did, I counted seven or eight customers who popped in and out with called-in takeout orders.

Honey's Special, which comes with fries and sweet tea.

Once seated, I ordered the Honey’s Special, which included two chili dogs, fries and sweet tea for just $6.50. My son opted for the Chicken Finger Combo, which also cost $6.50. The friendly staff brought us our order in five minutes or so, and we dove right in. I have to admit that the hot dog chili they serve doesn’t look like most hot dog chili you see, but, as the old saying goes, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover because their hot dog chili is great.

In addition to the outstanding food, the restaurant also has a mellow, relaxed atmosphere. Even though the place was packed with diners, it felt comfortable and it wasn't overly loud. The restaurant was also very clean, and it's decorated in such a way that makes it seem like it's been around for far longer than just 14 years.

In the end, how many of you have been to eat at Honey’s Hot Dogs? What did you think about it? What other bucket list-worthy restaurants would you recommend checking out? Let us know in the comments section below.