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    Capitol Lunch

    4.1 (221 reviews)
    InexpensiveHot Dogs, Burgers, Fast Food
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Capitol Lunch Photos

    CAPITOL LUNCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    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.

    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!!!
    Scott C.

    In the city of New Britain it was declared today by the mayor of New Britain that the city is the HotDog CAPITOL of the state of Connecticut and if not the entire country. Spent the better part of 50+years getting Hotdogs from here and always KISS keeping it so simple. Service is always top notch as always they move quick so you need to have a game plan before your at the counter. For me it's always a HotDog with mustard, ketchup, and of course the secret sauce. Can remeber as a kid walking down there from Daly Ave with my Dad and Granpa and always asking what's the secret sauce. Worker wlways said its a secret. Love it and always Rosols HotDog steamed and finished on the flat top to give it that snap!!!!!

    Famous Combo with Rings and Fries

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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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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    3 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

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    6 years ago

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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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    7 years ago

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    3 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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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Love this place!! Whenever i make my way in NB I make myself come and get me 2 dogs with the sauce. Delicious

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    5 years ago

    New Britain Staple with mystery meat sauce is it corn flakes we will never know but I grew up on it.

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    Page 2 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!

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    Hungry Bull Burger

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    Capitol Lunch - hotdog - Updated June 2026

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