One of my favorite lunch spots in CT. All you have to do when you walk in is simply announce how many dogs you want. Slather some of the delicious relish all over them, and you're absolutely golden. In and out in 10-15 minutes! p.s. - Also be sure to partake in the fountain birch beer! read more

Swung by Blackie's Hot Dog Stand quickly after working on a project in Waterbury. Growing up, my grandparents used to take me here every once in a while as a treat, so when we pulled up, I was instantly taken back in time. Even 20-something years later, they still have the best hot dogs! read more

Daym Drops ... The greatest food review on Youtube ... if he liked it, I liked it even more ... 5 stars

OMG yes. This place is old-school. You order at the counter and then grab a seat. They'll scream for you when the order is ready. Their relish is slamming, especially when combined with their mustard. Their dogs are great and their buns are always fresh. Someone mentioned that their hotdog was not snappy enough, I think I heard someone order them well done (or something to that effect). I will try this out next time and report back. They also serve milkshakes, plus root beer & birch beer. I've been here twice and the sun has always been shining - maybe the sun always shines on Blackie's. read more

Blackie's does 4 things and only 4 things. But they do them right. Blackie's does hot dogs, burgers, cheeseburgers, and shakes. They specialize in a hot pepper relish that is delicious...but hot. You have one option for sides - chips. It's a local place, not fancy, old fashioned, kind of weird. Beloved if you love things like that, run-down if you don't. If you want to tap into Blackie's magic, order a hot dog, a cheeseburger, a shake and chips. Put as much of their homemade relish as you want on the burger and dog. Enjoy. If you're looking for anything else, you'll be disappointed. A friend took me, I took my wife, we took friends...Blackie's is delicious. And oh god that relish. Yum. read more

This is an iconic hot dog stand and a must for any road trip. A warm welcome for two newbies and help ordering our dogs. The pepper relish is a must!!!! So many folks enjoying the counter seating and birch beer, while a line of patrons walked in and were quickly served. We were back on the road with smiles on our faces. read more

Tiny place that is an area icon. However, I am not a fan. Hot dogs are tiny and very greasy which soaks up in roll. Relish is only ok. Frankies hot dogs are much better. read more

We stumbled upon Blackie's after coming off I-84 on our way home from finishing another year of college. The place really is a hidden gem to those who aren't local, and I'm glad that we found it. There's not too much to say, and I don't want to spoil the experience of entering Blackie's cool dining room. Just sidle up to the counter and place your order. As some of the reviews here mention, they do know what you're there for, so just tell 'em a number. The 'dogs are as good as they get; the hype is for real. They make an amazingly good relish that goes very well with the dogs. If you happen to be driving through the area, this place is definitely worth a visit. read more

You can never go wrong with Blackie's! They have the best relish around! Good service too!

I stop here every so often and usually buy just one dog. It is $2.25 for a hot dog which seems pretty pricey to me. The service is so strange that it is comical. If you ask for two hot dogs the server will shout in a monotone "two" and a few minutes later two hot dogs will appear on those little paper hot dog holder. The charm of the décor, however, is undeniable. I especially love the signs that say "no dancing." This must have once - perhaps in the 50s - been a teen hangout and the owner did not like the teens dancing. The darkened knotty pine walls also add touch of nostalgia. read more

I'm not a big hot dog fan. But if I am going to eat one, it's def at Blackie's. For me, it's more about the atmosphere. The garage doors, the special way of ordering, the counter seating and the relish. If you want a hot dog with all the fixings then go somewhere else and apologize to your belly later. This place is simple, easy and out the door. A must in the summertime. read more

Gimme two. TWO! I love Blackies. Went often with my dad as a kid and still visit every time I'm in CT. Their dogs don't have a strong hot dog flavor which I think makes them appealing. I'm not a relish guy but I did have it before and it was good. Spicy mustard on a their dogs are best followed by birch beer...on tap! This place gets ridiculously busy in the summer so you may have to wait for a parking spot. read more

Been driving by for years. Finally decided to stop and give it a shot. Very mediocre burger. No fries, cash only. I'm guessing the family that owns this is milking the nostalgia cow. The row of stools in front was occupied by not recently showered guys over the age of 70. Meh. Seek food here only if you want a hot dog and old school ambiance. Prices are completely reasonable. read more

This is a local institution that is a throw back from a time gone by. It features counter seating, overhead garage doors that they roll right up in nice weather, classic dark pine walls, a Jukebox and a soda fountain.. The hot dog was OK. I did not think it was as good as I have heard. It had nice snap but was lacking any flavor of its own. The buns are fresh & toasted. Blakies does has a secret ingredient to make up for those short comings in the Hot Dog and that is their special homemade pepper relish which is fantastic. It is a bit spicy but not overpowering. I enjoy pickle and onion relishes so I am not generally strong on a pepper relish but theirs is the exception. The relish here is such a big seller that they produce it for sale in a jar so you can have it with your own stuff at home. We all know that any good road side stand will have root beer available as well but how about a birch beer on tap? Yes indeed they serve it and it is very good. This is a classic old school road house that is inexpensive and does not bother with all the extras. Burgers, Dogs, Milk, Sodas, Chips and Milk Shakes, that's it. If you're driving on I 84 by exit 26 and have the time this is a stop that should not be missed. It is the only place I know of that is closed on Fridays and that is probably a throwback from their Irish roots of not eating meat on Friday. On the go with........ http://www.gooddiggin.com read more

I don't want to knock this place. It knocks itself, really. It's not just no frills, it's lazy. They don't even try to do anything imaginative. You can ahve a dog, a burger or a cheeseburger. You can get better at pretty much any diner. The buns are nothing special, the dogs are smallish and bland. The burger isn't as good as the one you get at McDonald's in a happy meal. If you have to try this place to see what all the hype is about, lower your expectations and then lower them again. It is a unique experience but if you like food, it is an experience you can skip. read more

I have grown up eating Blackie's hotdogs and they are my absolute favorite. We have a few places in Waterbury famous for their hotdogs, but I would have to go with Blackie's for the King of Hotdogs in Waterbury. Their relish is amazing - we have jars and jars of it at my house. Although I don't like root beer or birch beer, I just have to have it when I go to Blackie's. Don't go here looking for fries or onion rings, it's just hotdogs and chips here! read more

I don't get what the hype is about. Pretty boring dogs. I tried the special relish and all I can say is meh, I've experienced way better. The dog didn't have any snap, which I consider key. I would rather have chili and cheese than "spicy pepper relish" on my dog. One positive it is a cheap lunch. read more

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Living in Florida I was waiting for my annual trip to Connecticut. This includes a visit to Blackie's for hot dogs. Rather disappointed this time. The hot dogs didn't seem to have that flavor and the snap when you bite into them seemed smaller dwarfed by the roll. Maybe my memory is fading. Idk, I have been eating these dogs for 50 years and they just didn't seem the same. Gave the 3 stars because maybe I am wrong or it was an off week. The relish and brown mustard are great. Relish is slightly spicy according to some but I don't note any heat/spice. Still it is yummy. Always get the white birch beer. No French Fries. Cheeseburgers or hamburgers. Chips. Ice Cream. read more

Cheap, simple dogs, tasty house relish, birch beer, and fantastic old building. This is the kind of place I want a hot dog. What a great relief from the McDonald's, etc., of so many highway stops. It's a simple two-mile trip parallel to 84 to get to Blackie's then back on -- off Exit 26 and back on 25 going west, or reverse going east. EZ-off, EZ-on, as the billboards like to say. read more

Forget about it. Hands down the best hot dogs ever. Sure the prices may go up each year (by a quarter) but it's worth it. These dogs are killer. Word to the wise, don't go in and ask the girls behind the counter for a hot dog. They know that is what you are there for. Just tell them a number. I usually go with three: one with mustard and relish, one with relish, one with ketchup. You must try their mustard and relish. Homemade. Amazingness. Anyone wanna air mail me some Blackies? read more

When I head home to CT, on my way from Boston, Blackies is a frequent stop. The dogs are locally produced and grilled to perfection. And yes, they have a snap! But it's all about the mustard and the RELISH! If you stop at Blackies, you MUST have the relish. read more

The taste of over a 1/2 century ago... The kind of place that no longer exists... Perfect as what it is... read more

As my quest for great hot dogs continues, Blackie's fell under my radar after seeing it on an AP list of great hot dog venues. So a few years back some buddies and I took the drive up to Cheshire to try it out. After a few years, I'm now living in the area and have given Blackie's a second and third helping. Overall it's a decent dog with some very good relish. I don't find anything particularly fantastic about Blackie's though but it is a good place to stop to get a fix. read more

Blackie's dogs are pretty much the greatest dogs on earth. The spicy mustard and awesome relish are amazing. It's a must try if you are anywhere in Ct. Also, get the birch beer, makes it even better. Closed on Friday's is the only negative read more

This has been a Central CT institution for almost 100 years (they are about what 11-12 years shy?) The dogs are kind of mild, but they arent Hummels or similar commercial fodder. I like the un-spicyness. The dogs come out ULTRA hot (temperature wise, like you harnessed an actual piece of the sun!) I I found out they actually fry, rather than grill them, but no harm no foul. The other stuff on the menu is a bit pedestrian and common but still tasty as all that! People rave about the relish (it's homemade) but I cant speak to that, but I'll say it looks and smells wonderful and I'll poke anyone to try if it fhey are into that. All in all, you need a hotdog.... get over here!! read more

We stopped here because we had heard great reviews. Neither my wife or I like relish, so we usually get onions, and when I asked for them, the older man at the counter said no onions, very rudely. I also asked for cheese (which I knew they had, because they serve cheeseburgers) and was again told no. I was told to "dress your own dogs" ,again very rudely, and was shown a small container with the relish, and a single bottle of ketchup, and nothing else. No chili, cheese, onions. Not good. the dogs themselves were good, but nothing special. Frankies and Als make much better dogs, we won't be back here. read more

Best place for hotdogs in Connecticut. If you're coming threw definitely stop by and have a few hot dogs here. But get them well done. They taste a whole lot better when they have crispy skin. And make sure you have some of there Home made relish. It's always on point every time I stop in. read more

This place looks like a crime scene - a sketchy, "old-school" hot dog stand off of I-84... sounds like a recipe for disaster, stomach ache, or both. But, no, no, no, there is some really good eatin' here at Blackie's. I went here for the first time with my bosses (who grew up in CT). I was grossed out by the idea of eating greasy hot dogs in the middle of the afternoon, but I jumped into the deep end anyway. The dogs are delicious, albeit greasy, as you would expect. They are far better than Dodger dogs at Dodger stadium in LA, better than the ones at Wrigley in Chicago, and definitely better than Gray's Papaya. So if you are ever blasting through CT on I-84, take a break from all that driving and head on over to Blackie's for some really good dog's! read more

Good burger and dog. Very basic. Pretty much ketchup mustard relish and that's it. Burgers are not big just a regular patty. No fries just plain UTZ chips. No frills feels like you walked into a 1950 Deep South roadsides stand. Two burgers a bag of UTZ chips and a chocolate milk 10 bucks. Not bad in a pinch wouldn't drive miles to try. read more

Blackie's is a simple, no-nonsense roadside joint in the tradition of Ted's and Louis' Lunch. The relish is indeed unique. They do a few basic things very well, and will regard you with suspicion if you ask for anything that is off their menu. The tradition of being closed on Fridays is a holdover from observance of Lent. read more

Great hot dogs. Been coming here my entire life. It's hard to find a hot dog this good outside of the northeast. Crispy skin with the snap when you bite into it. The best ones are when they burst open and you can fill the cracks with the delicious house made spicy relish. Get a birch beer and two well. read more

I'm a 20 year fan of Blackie's and I never turn down a chance to stop in! The spicy pepper relish is the star of the show here...sparks you right up, but never burns. Do yourself a favor and don't worry about the naysayer reviews! Yes, they don't take credit cards, but there is an ATM on site. Sure the only side is chips and no fries...but the dogs and burgers are just right every time!!! Forget what they don't do or don't have, lighten up and enjoy the amazingly good old fashioned food!!! read more

Great hot dogs !!!! The cheeseburgers are pretty darn good too. Great service. Polite efficient staff. Clean.

Super simple stuff! Always get the relish on the hot dog! I suppose the only golden rule is avoid the peak of the lunch rush as it gets kind of busy! read more

Great place. Quick, affordable food on the go! A must see for anyone traveling by the area if you need a quick bite to eat.

Had to change my review which I first put up in 2011 only because the hotdogs have changed. Not sure if they changed the brand or what happened but they are now rubbery and just taste cheap. I gave them 3 or 4 chances just in case there was a bad batch or the cook did something different that day but nope...same rubbery texture. Very disappointing. read more

Literally the best hotdog stand in CT! They make their own spicy relish, and use Rosol dogs. Things move pretty quickly at the counter so you need to know how many dogs you want or you will look like some out of town rube.-:) They still treat you like family though. Gimme 2 and a water please! Mmmmmmm...The good life. read more

This place is an institution pure and simple. I have been coming here since I was a kid and getting the same thing, two Hummel Bros. hot dogs and a birch beer. The hot dogs are tasty, which is good because even if you only have one you will some how taste it on your breath for the rest of the day even if you brush. The grease dripping off the natural casing dog is a good reminder that this is just a treat and not an every day thing. If you are feeling really frisky then go for the chocolate milk shake, its made with vanilla Ice-cream and a metric ton of chocolate syrup - fantastic! Skip the burgers and potato chips, they are a waste of time and money. Enjoy this place for what it is, a uniquely cooked (boiled in oil) dog served in a Cheshire garage close to I-84. You won't be disappointed. P.S. I would give this more stars, but its a hot dog stand for goodness sake! read more

You have to try this place. Was driving through and stopped by. The relish is ridiculously good and the guy in front of me in line told me to get it with chocolate milk. Sooo good! Will definitely be back- Gregory P. Heinzer read more

Has been making some of the finest hot dog since 1928. Homemade relish with a great German style mustard. Regulars walk in, hold up the number of fingers for the number of dogs they want, and that is what you get. Talk about old fashion fast food, done right. If your look for a great hot dog, this is definitely the place. Don't try ordering fries though. They just don't exist here. Never have!! read more