Yesterdog

The kitsch is a big draw here. I had fun just reading the graffiti from decades past. Including the gems posted in the pictures.
The food is simple, cheap and filling. A good sloppy dog that had a crisp to it. The cheese is shredded, the toppings plentiful. My only complaint was the bun was mushy. Reminds me of burgers on wonder bread. Would stop again, but maybe keep it simple.

I read a lot of negative reviews about this place, and I understand that Yesterdog has certain qualities that most patrons find strange or even disrespectful. Yes, the line system is strange, yes the fear of being pelted with coins meant to be tips is real, and yes when an employee is making 30 hotdogs at a time, he or she does not care too much about your feelings. But consider this: Yesterdog has been operating since the 70s, and almost nothing has changed, including the price. The «boiled hotdogs» and «wet buns» is a gross overstatement of what is the correct way to craft a quality hotdog: a well cooked hotdog and a steamed bun to absorb the flavor of the toppings. And the chili on these dogs is simply sublime. When you walk into this mainstay establishment in Grand Rapids, you’re being transported to a different time and partaking in an experience. So if you’re looking for a post-​modern, yet eclectic dining experience where you get more of the same thing you have everywhere else in the world, Johnny Bz is a fantastic local business to support! But if you can rise above the frustration inherent with the character defining pitfalls of the ordering process, you will find yourself surrounded by history, with what might be the greatest hotdog you’ll ever eat.

Best hotdog joint in Michigan. If I’m ever driving near Grand Rapids this is a must stop at place. Highly recommend.

I think place has pretty OK hot dogs but I think there is so much better to be had in the surrounding GR area. In a past life, I thought this place was the shiz! But then again I lived within walking distance, knew many of the people and Yesterdog saved my life from several life ending hangover episodes.
The meat itself is good and always seemed to provided that sought after ‘snap’. The chili I always thought was good but messy, I bit too runny now. The ‘Ultradog’ was my secret lover for a long time, but that was before the ‘Killerdog’ moved in. Something about that kraut that makes a man forget their past relationships.
One thing I never dug was that the buns would seem overly moist. At times it was as if they were pre-​bathed in lukewarm water, getting prepped for a hot dog eating contest. They seemed to be more like hot play-​doh then bread. Once you received the dog, you could see every person’s fingerprint impression on it. Often it clung onto anything that came into contact with the bun. Again, in a past life I thought that adding special flavor bits to the experience. Now I think it’s kinda gross.
I visited this place several times before the Seinfeld Soup Nazi came about, but there seems to be a lot of similarities. You have to follow the rules, be prepared to get offended and take nothing personable or no hot dog for you! I’ve been back here now and then and not much has changed. The rudeness does seem a bit more tamed down now but that same level of lack luster service is present. And what is with that smell?! Hasn’t someone cleaned that up yet, it’s been years now?! It is funny how things don’t concern you when you’re younger and as you get older your like, WTF.
So yes, this place stands on its own. It is a monument of time and a staple to the east town. So long live Yesterdog, you old stubborn son of a b*tch!

Just doesn’t live up to the hype. The menu is actually really small despite them being so well know for their hot dogs. Where’s the Chicago dog? Bell peppers? You basically choose between plain or chili with relish cheese and onion. I have to agree with some of the other reviews out there about their employees, not friendly and will rush you into ordering. It’s pretty cheap I guess but they are cash only. Get with the times. If you want great dogs in Michigan go to What Up Dawg in Lansing. Come to yesterdog when you are wasted at Mulligans if you’re looking for a quick fix.

Good hot dogs, but not great, I’d say a bit overrated. Personally I prefer the corner bar, but I grew up in Rockford so am admittedly biased

Came back after over a year to see if anything has changed. Still steam/​boil dogs and buns which are both probably from Gordon foods. They don’t take credit cards or sell French fries wtf?! Most overhyped hot dog place ever! Anyone who tells you this place is good also probably thinks McDonald’s has «good» burgers. Please go to Johnny Bs if you are interested in amazing dogs cause this place is even worse than grand coney which is tolerable if you’re drunk

Note to self: don’t come back here unless alcohol is involved…
Impossible to eat without using twelve napkins. They must go through hella napkins .
Don’t understand all the hype.

The good:
Hot dog meat itself
size and vibe of interior
budget-​friendly and inexpensive ~2.50 per dog
Bathrooms are clean
lots of toppings to choose from.
The «ultra dog» is delish!
The bad:
–DOES NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS! Seriously… What kind of place does that, unless they’re lying about income?
–Employees are rude. They greeted me with «do you know what you want?»
All in all… Worth stopping by, maybe not when it’s busy.

I have been here a few times over the years growing up, so I thought I’d take my daughter who had never been there. We live 3 hours away now, so she either had to go with me, or she’d probably never have the opportunity.
There wasn’t a line when we got in, thankfully, because I heard they like to yell or can be mean… and I was a fish out of water, so I had no idea where to order or stand, or even where to get napkins (I was looking all over, and the kid behind the counter said «they are at every table, because you will a lot of them».) Very nice! :)
We didn’t know what to order, so we ordered just the chili cheese dog. Reading all of the other reviews now, we should have ordered the ultra dog. Ah well, next time…
We ordered cups of water to go with our dogs. It came to around $ 5. I gave them my bank card, and was told cash only. Good thing I had some cash :)
My daughter was in awe of all the decorations and writing on the walls. I couldn’t seem to get past the odd smell, but I also read in another review that is normal… it really is like gym socks! :p
I could only eat half of my dog. It was ok, but I knew if this 42 year old lady ate the whole thing, it would haunt me later. The bun was soggy, the dog was almost the consistency and flavor of a Vienna sausage, and the chili was very runny. It was very flavorful– and at the same time odd. But… in all fairness, I’m older and not used to quick convenience food as much in my diet.
My daughter thought hers was awesome– she’s 14. She ended up eating my other half. Unfortunately, it caught up with her not even 5 minutes later and had to check out the restroom– which was actually very clean and smelled like bleach.
I have mixed feelings about this place, but all in all, it was still kind of fun. :). I may go back just to order an ultra dog… those pics looked awesome!

Alot of hype here. The condiments and mixes are typical and to me the dogs were just boiled and put in a warm bun.
Atmosphere here is a nice throwback, but the order process is horrible. First off the order line from the front door is backwards, so you have to squeeze passed everyone to order and then wait while everyone else is trying to figure out wtf is going on.
Then there is the order process itself, there is none. After there is around 5 people in line all hell breaks out and one guy runs around asking what type of dog you want and they sort of patch it up at the end when all the dogs are finished, trying to track down who ordered what and then the drinks and chips are offered… trainwreck.
Lastly there is the ordering entertainment of a metal bucket that you flick nickles into. It must be some sort of lottery because when they bounce off and fly 2 inches from your eye I can only imagine how much someone will win when they sue them.
Not going back anytime soon, same quality everywhere else.

If I could give this dump Zero Stars I would. I came in later with my friends, we ordered our dogs for dine-​In and weren’t told we should leave or anything. We were moving along pretty quickly regardless and one of the workers came around and told us they were already closed. We started to pack our stuff up to go and he turned back to shout ‘yeah. Get the fuck out’ at us.
First of all — the food was beyond sub par. Ritz Koney had FAR better dogs and selection. I hate that they’re gone.
This place was the biggest Grand Rapids let down I’ve ever experienced. And I can assure you I’ll never be back.
Luckily this place has enough drunk assholes to sustain it.

My husband and i stopped here while on vacation in Grand Rapids MI. Lots of character in this very popular hot dog shop. Staff is quick and the dogs are delicious. Plenty of stuff to look at on the walls while you dine in the roomy seating area. This is an order at the counter place but the menu is small so it won’t take you long to know what you want. Prices are great and the food is delicious.

If you like squishy, steamed buns and gloppy chili, get a Yesterdog! You know what you’re getting into if you come here. Or at least, you should.

Yester is such an institution. Who doesn’t love the chaos of ordering and then seeing a pile of three dozen dogs lined up on the counter while they adeptly find yours in the heap? I hate to give away my secret, but I order two killer sluts when I go (two dogs — one bun). Mmmmmmmmmm.
Be sure to throw a tip into the funnel behind the sinks!

There was a time in my life when this place was «IT». I used to obsess over this place and its shitty service and second tier hot dogs… it was always about the chili and the experience… but I am much older now and have had real hot dogs and have been treated like a human being while doing so and I like that more than I thought I would… but there is still a VERY special place in my heart for this hole in the wall
The dogs and buns themselves are really not good at all on their own and the pop has a questionable taste of crappy city water and old plumbing… but…it has always been about the chili 100%.
The service is second rate at best… but the motto is «Good Food, Good Service. Pick One» so I guess you get what you deserve. It would just be nice if they spent 10 cents more on a decent dog so I could pick one more confidently, but I still love the chili
It deserves some major street Cred for being here through a lot of challenges and always staying the anchor that it is in Eastown
This place means A LOT to those of us have real love for GR and West Michigan and it is hard to explain why… but it does

It gets five stars in my book. Hotdogs are as good you can get them! Loaded with toppings and a great menu to choose from.
This place really is a landmark in Grand Rapids, MI if you have never been you should go.
The ordering process is fun be sure you know what you want and be ready to belt it out. If you don’t know stand back until you do.
Also open very late, great place to get food as you are getting sober!

This is my second time here and every time I come to Grand Rapids I tell myself, «I have to go to Yesterdog».
I do like this place. Very laid back, dine and dash type of place. It has a lot of classic décor /​memorabilia. It’s a little run-​down but the place is clean.
My recommendation is the ultra dog. Hotdogs are $ 2.50

Yesterdog is one of my favorite hot dog places in Michigan! The steamed buns are the best, especially with a nice long wiener loaded with succulent flavor. The only way you can get said buns is with cash, so leave the plastic at home. Make sure to eat over the plastic– it’s there for your own protection so be SURE to use it or you’ll end up walking out with more than you bargained for.
I will definitely come back again and again.

Iconic Grand Rapids establishment in the funky long standing neighborhood of Eastown. The hot dogs are great-​boiled the way ball park dogs are. Then the toppings are piled on to create a delicious oozy tower. Once you pick your hot dog you literally can’t out it down because doing so would create too much mess. I usually get two yesterdogs but the chedder dogs are amazing as well.
The ordering process is half the experiance here. Just listen to the guys behind the counter and stand where they need you to stand and order when they tell you to order. They have a method to the maddness, I swear.
While your in there you can’t help but check out all the vintage signs and artifacts. Its like the original TGIFridays with cool stuff on the wall.
A must see spot in Grand Rapids!