Red Top

Found this place 2 years ago when I lived in Buffalo. Now when I visit I absolutely have to eat here. Best frigging hot dogs ever and their fries are awesome. Today were leaving to go back downstate and of course we had to stop (for the third time this week) and pig out before hand. We’ll be back in November!

Pricey for quality. Hot dog stand with condiments that I found quite unacceptable. Onions swimming in water, relishes not filled and what burger /​dog joint doesn’t offer the crunch of pickles? 7 p. m and two hrs. till closing everything should have been filled and fresh!
Improvement a must.

We visit from out if town every year. Freaking love this place! The hot dogs are the best I’ve ever had. The nacho cheese sauce is the best! Could eat here all day everyday!

I’ve been here several times and this was the worst. I expect fries to be hot and snappy and crispy and these were their special ripple ones and they were soggy and unevenly cooked and the serving of ketchup was minuscule. Was it because it was a rainy day? Because it was 3pm in the afternoon? Because it was a Tuesday? Are they resting on their laurels? Seems to me a diner that’s been there for over 50 years should do better than this with a simple order of fries!

Havnt been here in a couple years now I know why. Hot dog was good ill say that, hamburger was about as thin as a piece of paper, I thought they ran out but they dont have lettuce or tomatoes at all. Also are pop was flat and they didnt have ice, although they were very friendly when being served.

I am from Pennsylvania. I have family in western NY. Any time I’m near this area I stop. And I pig out. It’s my only must-​stop place.
The dogs:
Local hot dogs cooked on a char-​broiler over charcoal. They are punctured and sizzled to perfection by the cooks. They also toast the bun on the same grill which adds to the grilled deliciousness. There is a condiment bar that includes ketchup (Heinz), Weber’s mustard (western NY staple), sweet relish, dill relish, minced onion, and hot sauce. Other things like chili and cheese available on request.
The fries:
Fresh cut cottage fries. Very reminiscent of a ruffles potato chip, but a little thicker. Recommend salt and vinegar with them!
The shake:
If you come here for a dog and fries… You MUST get a shake. They have a plethora of flavors… Don’t be fooled. Get a classic malt. Vanilla is the best, chocolate a close second.
To top ALL of this off, this little drive in is nestled with a direct view of beautiful Lake Erie. If you drive past Red Top, and you don’t stop… Shame shame shame

This is a great stop. Perfect dog. And we know dogs coming from Pittsburgh. On our way back from Toronto, went to the Falls, and found it in Hamburg on the way to I90.

good dogs and shakes… here’s the bad news…-the prices are way too high… c’mon redtop give the people a break here!!!

Staff is always friendly, quick and polite. Only downfall is they don’t take cc just cash. Best homemade fries around. Faster than most fast food joints and they cook everything as you order. Kids love that they shout out orders and remember them down the line. Daughter has a collection of their ‘token’ 50 cent pieces they still use for change.

Good place to stop for hot dogs with kids! The food is good and reasonably priced. They don’t take credit cards so that is a pain. I am probably the only one who doesn’t like their style of french fries, they’re flat like potato chips but they’re not crunchy. So they’re just greasy, floppy potato circles. They should either make them thicker, a la waffle fries, or just give folks potato chips.
Overall not a bad place to stop and grab a quick bite.

Outrageous service! On July 1^st I had family in from out of town– first stop for a ‘real’ hot dog was Red Top — we go there often. Well, I mistakenly put hot sauce on one hot dog instead of ketchup… clearly my mistake but I am sure not the first to do this. When I apologized for my mistake I was told to «wipe off» the hot sauce !!! Keeping my calm I asked if I could have another hot dog. I was told YES but I would be charged. I’m sorry but that is just such BAD business. I will never go there again. This place may have been around a long time but the crew they had working that day may change that.

An awesome little in-​and-​out burger hot dog and shake shack. It really is a shack actually. And the food rules. After a day on the beach in Hamburg, they grill the food right in front of you. An instant classic.

It’s been over 20+ years since I’ve eaten at the Red Top, since living in Maine. Still has the best charcoal broiled hotdogs with the works. I love the cottage fries and the chocolate malt is phenomenal.
I been there twice in the last few weeks. Can’t wait till next week to eat there again.

OK this place was really cool. We were on our way back from Graycliff and decided to eat at one of these hot dog stands. The big thing in Buffalo apparently is to charcoal grill these dogs. Well the place was very cool we talked to the owner and they had owned the place 30+ years and it had been there 60+. The dogs were great and the shakes were good too they have a ton of flavors. My big gripe about this place is that they do not except credit cards. I know its petty, but come on people its 2010 get with the program. I know there are a ton of these little shops down route 5 and beyond, but this place is great plus you get a lake veiw from the eating area.

Outside seating only with view of the lake. Yogurt milkshakes are the best, I get chocolate strawberry each time. Can’t beat this classic hot dog stand!

Red Top is the quintessential hot dog stand, and it’s been there forever. Cheap, fast, and tasty. Wardynski’s red hots (a Buffalo original, with a snappier casing and fuller flavor than the more typical Sahlen’s) are lovingly prepared, poked and tended to over a real charcoal grill.
Red Top’s «Cottage Fries» are also fantastic, and a steal at $ 1.30 per order. They’re hand-​cut French fries, in the shape of potato chips but thicker, so with the texture of a good crispy fry, not the snap of a potato chip.
They also have some of the best milkshakes around. And a surprisingly wide variety of items on the menu, from cube steak to veggie burgers.