Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Capitol Lunch

    4.1 (222 reviews)
    InexpensiveHot Dogs, Burgers, Fast Food
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Capitol Lunch Photos

    CAPITOL LUNCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like Capitol Lunch

    Recommended Reviews - Capitol Lunch

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Avery's Soda (Weiner Water)
    Abby R.

    An iconic staple of the Connecticut hot dog scene, and after trying this place out for the first time, I can see why. Stepping in, the restaurant vibe is incredibly retro. And the prices are great too! I believe they've gone up a bit since previous reviews--the famous dog is now $3.99. Still quite the steal for a hotdog with a heaping serving of onions, mustard, and "famous sauce," which I quickly came to realize was ground beef and some spices. The sauce is a bit drier than a typical chili, but it's certainly a fun addition to a hot dog. I certainly enjoyed it. Plus, they serve Avery's sodas here! I got the "Weiner Water" flavor (orange and lemon), it felt appropriate given all the hot dogs. Service was immediate, even during a lunch rush. I walked up to the counter, ordered, and my hotdog was in front of me in seconds. It was great! The employees and I chatted about the silly soda name and everyone was incredibly kind and conversational. I had a great experience here and will be back again!

    Dog with everything delicious
    Munchy R.

    Hotdogs here are amazing been coming here since I was a child. chilli on the dogs or on a cheeseburger very tasty. staff here are awesome will recommend to everyone.

    Famous dog.  Natural casing with mustard, onions,and sauce.

    We went today and got the famous dog and BLT sandwich. Both were excellent. The hot dog has a great snap and the meat sauce is always consistently great. We come up from Waterbury and it's well worth it.

    Menu
    Nicole F.

    It seems I'm never in the area, so when I am I always have to stop. This place still hasn't changed since the last time I was here a bout 3 years ago. Their "famous hot dog" with the sauce is amazing, and frankly I haven't had comparable dog. Not to mention the martin Russell hotdogs have that infamous "crunch" with each bite. Food was quick and hot. I am not a French fry fan, but the fries were thin, perfectly salted, and best of all hot and fresh. Since I don't come often, I forced myself to eat two hotdogs! Looking forward to the next time I'm back. Tip: if you're paying with card, the prices are a bit more than the menu

    Kathleen S.

    Best hotdogs in Connecticut hands down! I have been eating hotdogs here since I was a kid. This restaurant has been in business as long as I can remember and I understand why!

    One of my closes uncle highly recommend me this place and now that I'm living on the area so do I.
    Manny S.

    Original recipe on their hotdogs, burgers and fries, service was nice and friendly, and the ambiance will compared with a retro dinner style.

    I just drove 2 hours from Boston to Capitol Lunch with my daughter and wife today. I learned of it when my Dad took me when I was a kid. He learned of it when his Dad took him back in the 50's. This was the place my grandfather went to post WW2 as a Staff Sergeant in the 10th Mountain Div, and after working a shift at Stanley Works. Got some chili to-go and bought some dogs from Rosol's down the road. Back in Boston now with my daughter and we're making Cappy's w/ everything tonight. Thanks for the 4 generations of memories! Oh...and "always ask for Avery's"

    Dan R.

    "Things will get better soon, I gotta hunch The three martini lunch Wasting another afternoon, punching a hole in my life" (Graham Parker) Want an inexpensive and satisfying lunch? Well, it's hard to do better than we did at Capitol Lunch yesterday. Definitely a No Frills kind of place, but the value, taste, and overall experience of our lunch visit yesterday was fantastic. No, you won't find any truffle fries or goat cheese here, but what you will find is an unpretentious menu with hot dogs between $2.49 and $2.99, Fries for $2.69 and rings for $3.39. If you want to be a big spender you can get a freshly made quarter pound burger for $5.39. Hot Dogs are king here, and its been that way for 90 years. My hot dog was fantastic, a good sized hot dog with ketchup, onions, and their famous chili-like meat sauce on a pillowy soft fresh as can be roll. For $2.99 it was fantastic. We split an order of their $2.69 fries that was big enough to easily share. Don't be put off by Capitol's "Hole in the Wall" appearance. We enjoyed everything about our visit -the ordering line moved fast as lightning, and the counter folks were friendly and helpful. But best of all, we loved our food and the fantastic prices.

    Two dogs with everything, plus fries, rings, and a drink
    Kathy W.

    When in Idaho, you gotta get a potato. And when in New Britain, it's all about the hot dogs. Capitol Lunch is a classic, in business since 1929. Yes, they also offer burgers, but most people - and there are a LOT of them - come for the hot dogs. At $8.99, the combo (2 dogs, fries or onion rings, and a fountain drink) is a pretty good deal. The steady crowds are no match for the staff's efficiency. They've got this down to a science. You're through the line quickly and enjoying your meal in no time. Park in the New Brite lot across the street so you don't have to negotiate Main Street parking.

    Joanne S.

    A wonderful Yelp CT evening out at the Capital Lunch (the hotdog with our famous "CAPPY"sauce. Also a special touch of the grape kool-aid that was offered that I haven't had since I was kid. This place that so many people have been and has been around since 1929. The meat sauce is so yummy and a perfect touch which I had on both my hotdog and my hamburger along with the nacho cheese sauce. I also tried the onion rings and bacon cheese fries which were delicious. The Capital Lunch has been voted best hotdog for 2022 and pretty much every year before. The owner Author explained all of the history of this restaurant. Along he shared rhe story behind each picture that's display on the walls from back in 1929. Great hole in the wall place to visit in the heart of New Britain.

    National HotDog Day today and hotdog capital of connecticut!!!

    See all

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you Tanya!

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 days ago

    We had lunch at Capitol Lunch. Hot dogs & onion rings were good. Would definitely recommend.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Classic hot dog joint and the chili is bangin definitely worth the drive for a timeless experience...

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you very much Bryan!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you for the review Abby!

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Great review. Thank you very much!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you Angela!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Great review! Thank you!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you Jerome!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you so much!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 2

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you very much Dan. Glad you enjoyed it.

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 0
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you Kathy. Great review.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you very much!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lou D.
    0
    48
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Teri F.
    39
    13
    7

    2 years ago

    Hot dogs were terrible price would be good except we throughout half our food it was so bad.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Arthur V.

    Arthur V.

    Thank you! Open Monday-Saturday until 6pm

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jon G.
    60
    20
    70

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rick S.
    75
    285
    795

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Capitol Lunch

    What meat are the hot dogs?

    Martin Rosol hot dogs. A combination of pork and beef.

    I realize this is a ridiculous question. Any chance the sauce is gluten free? Gluten comes from wheat (regular flour), rye, and barley and is typically an ingredient in soy…

    I’m sorry the sauce is not gluten free.

    What year did it originally open?

    1929

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Fowl Play

    Fowl Play

    4.0
    (4 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    I visited Fowl Play in the Assembly Room in New Britain. There are several restaurants I. The…read moreAssembly rRoom. One is Las Totras MC. The same restaurant also acts as an outpost o Fowl Play. Be careful when reviewing as the Mexican tacos and burritos are not Fowl Play menu items. So this review is only for the Foel Play chicken. It is excellent fried chicken and if you order it there it is piping hot and crisp . The fries are good and for one am happy there aren't a ton of them. I end up throwing a lot of fries in the trash. I have had the OG sandwich and heartily recommend it. Service is fast food takeout style although can eat here and enjoy some drinks from the Assembly Room bar. Service is efficient and I have always gotten what I ordered. But after so many lousy experience with Uber Eats and DoorDash I never will use takeout from them again

    I've had the chicken sandwich at their other location so today I wanted to try their Chicken…read moreTenders and Waffles, no regrets. Fluffy waffle with the perfect crust. Crispy but meaty chicken. Topped with a drizzle of maple syrup and a coating of powdered sugar. Isn't that what I ordered? Yes and it's exactly what I got. Came out quickly, the staff was accommodating and the prices weren't too bad considering the location here at the Assembly Room. For those of you who are confused, the Assembly Room is a mini Parkville Market. No other way to explain it. We lucked out and got a Fowl Play location in here and it's just as good as the other one.

    Photos
    Fowl Play
    Mild Chicken Tenders and Fries
    Mild Chicken Tenders and Fries
    Mild Hot Chicken Sandwich w/French Fries

    See all

    Mild Hot Chicken Sandwich w/French Fries
    Dave's Hot Chicken

    Dave's Hot Chicken

    3.9
    (36 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    I've had Dave's Hot Chicken in several places, including California and Massachusetts, and this…read moreDave's Hot Chicken location is by far my favorite. The restaurant itself was extremely clean, which immediately stood out when we walked in. The staff behind the counter were incredibly friendly and welcoming, genuinely some of the nicest people I've encountered at any restaurant. The manager and team clearly take pride in the place. While we were eating, the manager even came over to our table to check on us and make sure the food met their standards and that everything was good. That kind of attention to customers really makes a difference and shows how much they care about the experience. The food was excellent as well. I'm a big fan of a good spicy chicken sandwich, and Dave's in general does that really well, but this location feels like the pinnacle of the brand. Everything was fresh and flavorful, exactly what you want from hot chicken. Overall it was an outstanding experience with great food, an extremely clean restaurant, and an amazing staff. I would 100% recommend this location to anyone looking for great hot chicken.

    First time ever hearing about Dave's Hot Chicken. We happened to be in the area and someone in our…read moregroup raved about it. Got the #2. Comes with 2 chicken sandwiches and fries. Chicken was huge and super crispy. Fries are crinkle cut dusted with seasoning. Found that the fry amount was a bit smaller in portion size compared to the chicken. I mean maybe it's the actually serving size but let's be real. Fries are also a main course. So we ordered a large box of fries. The three of us (who didn't eat the #2 meal) killed the fries quickly. Mixed 2 packets of the Dave's sauce (it's like equivalent to 5 ketchup packets) with 2 ketchup packets . Mmm perfect. Saw a lot of Muslim patrons here. I was curious and looked it up. The chicken at Dave's is halal. KFC and chic fil a aren't. Looking at you KFC and chic fil a. More patrons would come to eat at your establishments if you served halal foods. Clearly from my ONE time eating at Dave's I could see that Muslim people like fried chicken too. DUH! Good job Dave's. I mean it didn't affect me in any way but it made me feel good that Dave's did something right. Will definitely be coming to Dave's Hot Chicken again!

    Photos
    Dave's Hot Chicken
    Dave's Hot Chicken
    Dave's Hot Chicken

    See all

    Riley's Hot Dog & Burger Gourmet

    Riley's Hot Dog & Burger Gourmet

    4.6
    (295 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Whenever I'm in the area I always try to make time to drop in and grab my favorite junkyard dog at…read moreRiley's! They are THE best!! The place is absolutely adorable! The staff is always a breath of fresh air! Always so amicable and quick to tell you about their newest menu items and offer their personal favorites! But mostly I look forward to seeing little Deb who pours her heart into this place, she's just a little ray of sunshine. Everyone is on a first name basis! She remembered my name within like three times of being there and she's just such a warm presence there! The food is always hot and made to order, the staff makes sure the line is cared for with a smile and the food is AMAZING. My favorite little lunch spot in New Britain by far!

    My husband isn't exactly a hot dog guy. So I got a sideways look when I suggested that we try this…read moreplace out for lunch....but after our meal, he said that he'd never had a specialty hot dog before and really enjoyed this! How could you not like this place?! Great atmosphere, friendly staff and an awesome menu. We tried the reuben dog, taco dog and guilty pleasure dog with the Cajun fries. Dogs are messy but fun.... loved the taco dog! Cajun fries were too salty but appreciate that they are made in house! (Wish they had sweet potato fries with a fun dipping sauce though!) Can't wait to go back and try more creations!

    Photos
    Very cute interior
    Very cute interior
    The Bronx Dog
    The Bronx Dog
    Menu

    See all

    Menu
    MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes

    MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes

    3.2
    (108 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $

    Mooyah is a semi-fast food burger joint that reminds you of one of those burger places from the…read more50s... only thing missing is the long counter with red stools . You come here if you want custom made burgers, fries and milkshakes. There is one salad on their menu. You can also swap a burger for a turkey burger or a black bean burger. They do a very good job with their black bean burgers - they have a nice crisp to them, not soggy. And if you want to go healthy, go for the lettuce wrap and save the bun calories for their fries. Their fries look handcut. Their sweet potato fries and delicious and what's gives this place its 4th star in my book. The downside? The Cost!! Two burgers and fries and two drinks will cost you north of $30! I only take my kids here for special treats. At that price I can take them to a casual restaurant like chili's and get them twice the food. Summary - if you are willing to dish out the cash for a better than average burger and some crispy sweet potato fries, then try this place out.

    This is the first place that comes to mind when I'm craving a good burger. The service was very…read morefast and friendly. I love how they bring your food out to the table. The atmosphere was super casual. Everything was nice and clean. I was craving a turkey burger so I build my own. I opted for the half sweet potato fries and half regular fries since I was sharing with my son and I love the app on my phone that also offers birthday rewards and points with every purchase. Returning customer of course!

    Photos
    MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes
    These are regular fries not sweet potatoe fries.
    These are regular fries not sweet potatoe fries.
    MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes

    See all

    Capitol Lunch - hotdog - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...