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    Capitol Lunch

    4.1 (224 reviews)
    InexpensiveHot Dogs, Burgers, Fast Food
    Open 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Capitol Lunch Photos

    CAPITOL LUNCH ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Capitol Lunch

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    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.

    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.

    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"

    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.

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you!

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    2 years ago

    The food was delicious and the service was very good. It was worth the drive from Waterbury

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you Justin!

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    4 years ago

    Best hot dog in town it's been around a long time and great food I grew up going there as a kid

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    4 years ago

    Hole in the wall been around forever the chili was nothing the write home about burgers was just ok.

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    4 years ago

    The guys that took our orders were very rude! Hotdogs were supposed to be well don but barely cooked!

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    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!

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    Riley's Hot Dog & Burger Gourmet - jalapeno popper dog

    Riley's Hot Dog & Burger Gourmet

    4.6(297 reviews)
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    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!

    I have been a super fan of Riley's since shortly after they opened. They make one of the absolute…read morebest veggie burgers, something that often gets overlooked due to all of the well deserved acclaim for their burgers and hot dogs. I went back recently, after having not been for a while, and it was as good as ever. They have a delicious quinoa and veggie based patty, and I have a signature way I usually like to order it: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, Swiss, brown mustard, & their own hot relish. All of the ingredients are super fresh, and they execute everything they do extremely well, crucial with burgers, hot dogs and fries. The fries are hand cut, and I always go with the Cajun fries, accompanied by their addictive chipotle aioli. It actually has a kick, but also a strong depth of flavor. The Cajun seasoning on the fries is always just right. I have never had a bad experience there. Everyone is always super friendly, helpful, and welcoming. They don't rush to make sure they have your burger/topping combination exactly right when you customize your own. It's actually a very nice space inside, too. I like eating there even though I have probably gotten mine to go slightly more often. Lately I prefer eating my burger & fries fresh there. Anytime someone asks for an in town food recommendation, my family & I say Riley's. It's a must try for foodies period, but especially if you're a burger lover. And again, they have a top tier veggie burger. It's a very special place.

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    Very cute interior

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    Doogie's - The Turnpike

    Doogie's

    3.6(187 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $

    My wife and I went here twice for the Tuesday Special, A Two-foot dog, Fries and Soda…read more On our visits we were greeted by happy employees. They made us feel welcome and were very helpful to us newbies. Our orders were taken and we were explained the process. Most of the condiments are self-serve. Both times I had the chili, yellow mustard and onions. My wife had Cole Slaw on her first one and Sauerkraut and mustard the second week. We made quite the mess but enjoyed the food. The hot dogs are very tasty and cooked just the way I we like them, a little char but not burnt. We had to cut the dogs into quarters and the rolls held up fine. The chili, while it tastes good is a little bland and my wife would have liked a little more flavor in the Sauerkraut too. The order of fries is large, hot and crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The store is a nostalgic walk into the past with retro fixtures, tables and decorations. It's fun to read the 45's that line the walls while enjoying these dogs. The dogs are a novelty and are good enough to come back for. They have an extensive menu and I'm tempted to try the other offerings but the Two-Foot dogs always call me back.

    Hadn't been here in years and glad my co-worker suggested it. Our food was amazing and order ready…read moreat time promised. Will definitely return

    Photos
    Doogie's
    Doogie's - 2-Foot Man Vs. Food Dog w/Sweet Potato Fries and 12" Cheesesteak

    2-Foot Man Vs. Food Dog w/Sweet Potato Fries and 12" Cheesesteak

    Doogie's - 2-Foot Man Vs. Food Dog w/Sweet Potato Fries and 12" Cheesesteak

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    2-Foot Man Vs. Food Dog w/Sweet Potato Fries and 12" Cheesesteak

    Frankie's - Hotdogs and fries

    Frankie's

    3.2(61 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    My friend use to frequent Frankies often and told me I had to give it a try. Frankies is like an…read moreAll American food joint so you can get things like burgers, hotdogs, fries, etc.. It has a cool diner vibe and the staff were friendly. I got the qrt pd Burger and fries. The burger was huge lol and tasty. I would stop by again to try something else. Overall, its a cool spot.

    I used to go to the Bristol location all the time when I was little, but it's been over a decade,…read moreand what a mistake it was to wait that long. Amazing!!!! Friendly staff, well staffed (which is not something you see too often nowadays). I love the more modern feel, and of course the faint Frankie statue. The food was amazing, restaurant was clean, plenty of seating. My boyfriend got a hot dog with peppers and onions with steak fries. I got a grilled cheese and curly fries(same as I used to get a child lol, I was feeling nostalgic) He also got a soda and I got a water, all of this for around $22-23 About the same price (maybe a few dollars more) if we had gone to a regular fast food chain, but def worth the extra money. Plus I always love supporting a local business. It was also great to see they even had some of the old arcade games to play for free, I wanted to play but didn't, because all I'm thinking of is people eating with their hands and then touching the controls with unclean hands, maybe it's just the post covid era Only recommendation I have would be to have a hand sanitizer near the game. Such an amazing place!

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    Frankie's - Main dining room

    Main dining room

    Frankie's - Hot dog with peppers and onion, steak fries, grilled cheese and curly fries.

    Hot dog with peppers and onion, steak fries, grilled cheese and curly fries.

    Frankie's - The restaurant

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    The restaurant

    Carol's Lunchbox - 2 dogs and a side relish

    Carol's Lunchbox

    4.5(54 reviews)
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    Good basic bites on the range…read more Came here looking for some summertime burgers and dogs. Inside is sparse, but plenty of seating. Outside was slightly dirty, but the view of the course was pretty. Opted for a smattering of dogs (kielbasa, spicy dog, and plain dog), a bacon jam blue cheese burger, and a brownie for dessert. Food came out after a wait, but we got ketchup and took turns taking bites. The burger was the best bite. good quality beef, strong blue cheese and sweet n salty bacon jam was quite nice. The blue cheese was a bit strong, but I like punchy flavors. The fries were not bad, pretty good bagged fries. The dogs, well they were alright. Not great buns, dogs were of a decent quality, but the kielbasa was too sweet and the spicy dog was only lightly hot. As a lunch place, it does well enough. The burger and fries were worth the price of admission. The dogs were kind of weak, and there dogs need to be of a better quality. But they are still not bad, just not great.

    Amazing roadside hotdog stand. Granted it is more 'golf course' side hotdog stand but you get the…read moreidea. Located at the course - but open to the public - this hotdog stand offers delicious food, friendly staff, and beautiful views. We opted for the special burger and it was the best burger I have had in a while. Cooked to a beautiful juicy medium, with toppings that just worked well together. Delicious. We also got the hotdog trio, regular, kielbasa, and hot. Just to try them all. While fairly basic at first there are a variety of toppings to chose from to make the very tasty basics your perfect bite. For me it was the hot with homemade hot relish and onions. On a summers day come take a lunch!!

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    Carol's Lunchbox - Inside

    Inside

    Carol's Lunchbox - Chili dog with mustard and onions

    Chili dog with mustard and onions

    Carol's Lunchbox - The digs

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    The digs

    Hungry Bull Burger - Mac and cheese

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    This has become my preferred stop whenever I go to the Plainville AMC. With things getting so…read moreexpensive, it's very refreshing to see a place that can give a lot of value for a reasonable price. The restaurant is fairly small, but the portions are big! I got the disco fries as an appetizer and they were a delicious combo of gravy cheese and seasoning. You could also tell by the bite and the shape that they were made fresh which is also a big plus. I got the hungry bull burger and they were accommodating with substituting the horseradish crema for the house sauce. You would think double meat might be a bit much but it works well and the onion straws really make it shine. Finally I got the strawberry milkshake which was probably better than any shake shack milkshake I've had! The restaurant itself is also very eco-conscious by participating in newport biodiesel, so its great to know that not only are you getting a good meal but the restaurant you are supporting is also helping the people of the connecticut.

    Mostly good burgers and dogs, great fries, nice but small location…read more Came here on the way to an event, so we opted for some lunch beforehand. This place was well reviewed, so we decided to make this the spot this time around. Ordering was done up front, but there were tables to sit at. Missus ordered while I took photos, and the food came out relatively quickly. Took pics and dug in. Sweet potato fries were the highlight. Hand cut, fried and seasoned. With ranch, they were really good. The burger and hot god were good in terms of quality and quantity. The condiments were a little overpowering though, ended up taking over a lot of the dish and really muddled the meat. The meat itself was lightly seasoned, relying on the condiments to bring the flavor. Not bad, but all elements should bring their own identity and add to a meal. The burger felt absent, and although flavorful was lacking that extra bit of salt or fat to make it truly shine. It's not bad at all, just lacking. Everything else was good, the price easily reasonable for the quality. It was just missing those finishing touches to be truly great

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    Top Dog - Two natural casing hot dogs.  Left one has yellow mustard and the right one brown mustard and sweet relish.  Great taste and snap.

    Top Dog

    4.3(20 reviews)
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    I've wanted to visit Top Dog's roadside trailer in Portland for years, but they were never open…read morewhen I drove by. I understand that the trailer is presently known as Missy's Top Dog at least in some circles. I'm not sure if that's a change. When the Channel 3 Best Hot Dog in CT bracket was released, I noticed Missy's Top Dog was on it. I was able to get there shortly before their 3 pm closing recently. I'm a fan. First of all, although they were closing soon, there was a steady stream of people while I was in the area. There was never a long line, but I was not able to take a pic of the hot dog shaped trailer without a person blocking the sign. MTD is the only place I know of using Thumann's Hit Dogs from New Jersey. MTD steams the dogs and it looked like they had a bit of a dirty water thing maybe going on. MTD has several specialty dogs, but nothing too far out of the ordinary. I ordered a Cajun with "Orleans Relish", chili and pepper jack. I really liked the dog, especially for a steamed dog. Nice flavor. Nice snap. The toppings worked really well together. The chili sauce was meaty and not heavily seasoned. The relish provided a nice jolt of sweet acidity. I also ordered the MTD clasic dog, which had artfully layered catsup, mustard, relish and onions. Same tasty, snappy dog. Nice ratio of toppings. I'm assuming Missy was the person helping me because she seemed to have the confidence and pride of an owner. She was very friendly and engaging in my brief time speaking with her. Since the dogs were steamed, they came out right away. I can't say Missy's Top Dog's cracks my Top Tier of CT Dogs, but it's just a tier down and I enthusiastically recommend MTD, even if you have to drive a bit out of your way. 4.25 Stars

    Went their in the fall. I don't know where they get their hot dogs from but they have a great snap…read moreand I found it quite tasty. I like a good hot dog and Connecticut has some great places to get them. I would put this little place on that list.

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    Original and Cajun

    Capitol Lunch - hotdog - Updated September 2026

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