We stopped at Clowndog Hotdog Parlor while on a road trip through New Mexico, and I was in heaven. Eating gluten free can be rough, and I've missed corn dogs so much. I hadn't had a real corn dog in over 20 years. They have a dedicated fryer, which is huge. I was able to order a corn dog, onion rings, and cheese on a stick, and it honestly felt unreal. It was the most delicious, greasy, over-the-top meal I've had in a long time, and completely worth it. I even ended up ordering a second helping of onion rings. The corn dogs are long with a perfectly crispy batter, exactly how they should be. Not the sad frozen kind... a real corn dog. The customer service was great. Our waitress handled everything and was very attentive and kind. The atmosphere is definitely unique. It's all clown-themed, which makes it fun and a little unexpected. We live in Utah, and I would make a road trip just to go here, and only here. I'm genuinely so grateful for this place for giving me my first real corn dog while being gluten free. read more

2 Chicago Dogs, onion rings, coleslaw, and a dog with crazy toppings. Good service, very patient with us. Fun atmosphere, though I didn't remember the bar. I have not yet figured out how to make a Chicago Dog without making a mess, but this one was worth it. Our granddaughter didn't understand all her crazy toppings would be mixed up on top. Next time we will ask they be separate. read more

Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor - Clown nose - Hot Dogs Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Outstanding food, I was in the mood for a Chicago hotdog, and they were right on the money. Great prices, and made right. Frito dog is also amazing, my girlfriend reports. Really affordable and nice unpretentious environment. We will be back regularly. read more

Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor - Chicago dog and fries disappeared in an instant - Hot Dogs Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

We loved Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor -- the food was fun, creative, and delicious! We tried a coney dog, onion rings, fries, fried cheese in corndog batter, and a hot dog topped with peanut butter & popcorn (so good!)... the flavors were really unique and enjoyable. The server and owner were fantastic, super friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. A few hiccups: They forgot the jelly on my peanut butter & jelly popcorn hot dog. My chocolate-covered frozen banana with peanuts came without peanuts, and the banana wasn't frozen at all -- it was limp and mushy. We sat on the patio with our dog, which was nice, but the mosquitoes were relentless. Overall, still a super fun spot with creative food and carnival vibes. Just a little more attention to detail and some patio pest control would make it perfect! read more

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First let's talk about how cute this place is. It's super casual with a fun clown vibe through the restaurant. The bartender greeted us right away with a warm smile and took great care of us. I've been here a couple of times before but couldn't wait to bring our niece and her husband who are here from Seattle. We all loved our hot dogs! They were delicious. I really liked the variety of choices and how you can also build your own hot dogs. Highly recommend! read more

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We came to watch a World Cup game and grazed our way through the menu, which addressed multiple dietary considerations (Gluten free, non-dairy, vegetarian - WIN!) Interesting ordering process: you build your own dog, fries, tater tots, etc. by checking off fixings on a menu with a dry erase marker. While we decided we aren't fans of loaded french fries, the onions rings were good and there are lots of fixings options to customize the dogs and brats, we enjoyed both. The menu had some good looking salad options that I would have jumped at on another day. Good beer choices and we liked the chocolate dipped frozen bananas on a stick (again with a choice of toppings). The staff were friendly, asked us where we were visiting from, and greeted many of their patrons by name. read more

Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor - Restaurant outdoor signage - Hot Dogs Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

I really love hotdogs, so when Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor was suggested for dinner, I jumped on it. This place, which appears to be pretty popular, had great theming. The owner had been collecting circus memorabilia for ten years, and it is pretty cool. There is even a giant corn dog in the patio! I really like the mural on the patio wall. There are several choices on the menu, where you can choose one of the specialty dogs, or create one of your own from a huge list of toppings--"normal" hot dog toppings, as well as "freak show" toppings like spaghettios, popcorn, chocolate sauce, and Froot Loops. There are also nachos, mac and cheese, and lots of other guilty pleasures. No worries, there are some salads for the healthy people. Mark what you want with a dry erase marker on the menu, one for each person. We ordered the *Frito Dog *2 Build-Your-Own Dogs *Frito Pie *Nachos *Fried cheese on a stick *Chili cheese (both green and red chili) While it wasn't the healthiest meal, it was delish, so who cares??? The hot dogs, fried cheese, and chili cheese fries were super yummy. We could take or leave the nachos. This place has been voted the best of the city more than once. With the fun atmosphere and yummy hot dogs, I totally get it. And, by the way, they server beer and wine!! read more

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I don't know what happened to my previous review where I'd said about every good thing in the world about this place and their delicious gluten free corn dogs... but it's not here when I go to try to edit it. Anyway... when I could have them, they were delicious. Loved having a corn dog for the first time in literally 15+ years. That being said, they went back to using soybean oil (most things labeled as "Vegetable Oil" on the front are actually only soybean on the back ingredients list and once in a while a mix of soy and something else) in the fryer and I can no longer eat the things I so dearly loved from them. I'll keep checking in over time to see if they happen to choose a different oil on the next change of the fryer's oil. You never know! corn dogs 10/10 onion rings 6/10 (because i could eat them before the oil change happened and it'd been even longer since I had onion rings. but they were also greasy as heck.) hubby said braut and hot dogs were 9/10 and 8/10 respectively. he gave the onion rings a 4/10 the first time and 5/10 the second time. read more

This was a fun little place. It's all about hot dogs but lots of choices for how you want your all beef dog. You can also get a braut , turkey or veggie dog. The sides were good as were the dogs. Good service and a quaint little place with TVs if you want to watch sports. The service was good. We will go back. read more

This place is a hoot! Before you walk I in you need to read the door for the hot dog of the day, it might off the wall, yet it could be up your alley. The corn dog was my fave, all beef dog, or you could do vegetarian, coated in a crunchy cornmeal coating, they are large. The onion rings are freshly made with sweet onions and the French fries are also made fresh. As for the ambiance, expect circus motif, so if you have a fear of clowns use a bandana to cover your eyes because you don't want to miss the awesome hotdogs with their endless list of add-ons! read more

We have attended the balloon fiesta twice and both times we have gone to Clowndog's a couple of times per visit. Now, I'm a hot dog enthusiast and make a plan for each city I visit to visit a restaurant that specializes in hotdogs. Not always an easy thing to find. Of the hundreds of restaurants, stands, and even dives I have visited Clowndog is within the top five locations in the country. The pure choices of what you can put on a hotdog makes it a stand out. Location is clean, neat and the staff is very friendly. We plan to attend the balloon fiesta twice again in 2027 and we will be making our way to Clowndog's during that visit. read more

Gluten free fried food is a dream come true. Best onion rings I've ever had including pre-celiac. Corn dog was tasty. Cheese on a stick was a bit undercooked unfortunately. Service was a bit slow but efficient. Overall great experience. read more

Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor - Cheese on a stick, onion rings, corn dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

10, 10, 10! (Think of Monica in Friends when she is yelling 7, 7, 7!) I am so bummed I have lived in ABQ for a year and I just now came in here! I saw it driving on Central and "Don't tell mom the Babysitter is Dead" references ran thru my mind! (It's not named after that, but let me believe). I put it on the "go back later" list and damn, stupid me! Now let me explain to you, decisions will have to be made.... I'm not good at that, so I opted for the regular dog with my fixings AND fries! Okay, I'm allergic to seafood so I can't have fried food often and GOLLY Gomer, these fries, hand cut every morning, and the BOMB! I will have to go down the menu and just try everything (well, I'm not doing PB&J or fruit loops, but you can give it a whirl!) I will be a regular fixture at this establishment from now on! They are closed Tuesdays and have the Weenie special on Wednesdays, $1 off a dog. Helluva deal! There is a massive outdoor patio, which would be nice if it wasn't 100, so maybe next time! Parking is a bit tricky, just like everywhere in Nob Hill, so park on the street and take a stroll. you will NOT be disappointed!! read more

The amount of options you can pick to put on a hot dog is astounding! Even the specialty made hot dogs were very delicious. The clown ambiance of the restaurant is super fun as well! read more

The food is always amazing, the owner is always kind and welcoming. the service and staff are wonderful. it's casual and homey. I will forever recommend this place as a gem of abq! read more

We flew in from California for a show at Revel, and Clowndog was our very first stop in Albuquerque -- and wow, it did not disappoint. In fact, it set the tone for the whole trip. The menu is fun, creative, and full of flavor. We went straight for the Chicago dog, which was spot on -- everything you'd hope for in a true classic. The frito pie hit every comfort-food note, and the tots? Absolutely addictive. Perfectly crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and paired with the green chile it was impossible to stop eating. On top of the food, their beer selection is excellent -- plenty of local options, thoughtfully curated, and a perfect match for the big, bold flavors on the menu. And the service? Outstanding. Our server, Tyler, was one of the best we've ever had anywhere -- friendly, attentive, and clearly proud of the food and vibe of the place. It's rare to feel so welcomed at a first visit, but Clowndog nailed it. We're only in town for a few days, but there's no question we'll be back before we leave. This spot is a gem and absolutely worth seeking out. read more

Love having vegetarian options. The choices were numerous and fun. I never woulda guessed that I'd like pineapple and coconut on my hot dog. Fun dry erase menus. Quick service. Veggie dogs themselves weren't the greatest. And only one choice. There are veggie brats and more choices they coulda had. But still yummy and lots of fun. read more

Dude, this place was good. The Chicago dog was spot on, in case your craving one. They have the poppy seed buns, the neon green relish, the sport pepper from Chicago, and all the other right stuff on it. Then I got a peanut butter and jelly with bacon dog. That was delicious. Better than I expected. I also got a dog with green chili, a fried egg, and chopped bacon. That was ridiculously good. The egg was cooked perfect over easy. The green Chile and cheese fries were awesome too. They have beers on tap too. Good music playing, not too loud. Great service by someone who knows hot dogs. Parking lot is a little tight but I went at 5:00 on a Wednesday and it was easy to park. read more

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A circus-themed hot dog restaurant with sports on multiple screens and every topping you can imagine? Heck yeah! I tried the Hot Dog of the Day, which was the Evil Pumpkin King - pumpkin seeds, cream cheese, green chili (of course), and little pieces of pumpkin pie. Not a creation I'm creative enough to have dreamt up but it was great! My husband got a Chicago dog, which, let's face it, is a classic. We also split an order of fries. Our food was fantastic, the server was friendly. I would have gladly come back here but my husband said it's probably not the best to have hot dogs every night... glad someone is going to be the voice of reason around here. read more

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Great service & funky food. Tailgate veg dog & gluten free corn dog with green chile, cotija & neon green relish. Sides of coleslaw...to keep it healthy. Slaw could use touch salt/seasoning. Veg dog is odd consistency, but that's what I get for not liking hotdogs. Toasted bun was awesome touch. read more

Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor - Hot Dogs Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Three of us had lunch there a couple of days ago. Definitely a unique place...in a good way. It took a while to place our orders because they give you a dry erase pen and a large laminated menu with lots of choices to build your own hot dog. Or you can simply order one of their ''Clowndog Creations,'' like a Chicago Dog or Frito Dog, which two of us ordered. The Chicago Dog was good but next time I'll have them hold the sweet relish. The ''neon green'' color was very intense which looked dyed and unappetizing so I scraped most of it off. Was that color part of the clown theme? Actually, I wish dill relish (of a normal color) had been an option since I'm not a big fan of sweet relish to begin with. The corn dog was mostly good. It was a generous size and I liked the taste of the deep-fried batter on the outside as well as the beef hot dog inside. It didn't seem, however, that the batter was quite cooked all the way through, like maybe the batter was too thick? A couple of warnings about the wooden stick inside the corn dog. It does go all the way to the end and one person in my party bit it hard and really hurt his lower front tooth. It still hurts. Granted, we all know there are sticks inside corn dogs, but aren't they usually shorter than the length of the dogs? I was glad for his warning. I did have another concern with the stick. It comes to a really sharp point. Is there a right way to eat corn dogs? After I take the first bite, I usually carefully take another couple of smaller bites before retracting the stick into the dog. In this case, there was no way I was going to risk putting that sharp point back in my mouth and attempt to eat around it. Trying not to get injured while eating lunch just isn't something that usually ever crosses my mind. So, it looks like they have about 55 toppings. I read some reviews that really didn't like the idea of some of the odd topping options, but I think it's a fun idea even though I'll personally never put chocolate syrup, pickled cactus, froot loops, or pineapple chunks on a hot dog. I might go for the chopped peanuts or popcorn, though! Most of the toppings are an extra 60 cents each, but they also have eight free toppings that include the regulars like mustard, ketchup, and onions. As far as the dogs go, they have all-beef, turkey, veggie, and bratwurst. Buns include traditional, poppyseed, garlic, and gluten-free ($2 up charge). The ambience was pleasant, the staff attentive, and I always appreciate a free parking lot. So, I will be going back and taking friends, but with warnings. Even my newly-snaggletoothed friend says he'll return. Figuring out how many stars to give was difficult but I rounded up deciding I could work around the issues I had in future visits. read more

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I loved my visit there. I don't eat many hotdogs, but when I want one, I now know where to go.

Phenomenal weird place on my stop through Albuquerque. Highlight of my trip. Great hot dogs and freaky atmosphere.

Every once and a while you come across a place that is truly unique in an awesome sort of way. For me, Clowndog is this type of spot. As you might be able to infer from the name, hotdogs are their thing. And they do them well. But unlike most hotdog joints, Clowndog has dozens of toppings you can put on your dog. Sure, they have the normal stuff like onions, chili, and mustard. But they also have some VERY adventurous toppings like Fruit Loops, chocolate sauce and golden raisins. You ever wanted Spaghetti O's on your hotdog? This place can make it happen. So, the whole concept is to build a hotdog with as much or as little as you want. Feeling overwhelmed by the menu? They have several premade options for dogs if you can't decide. On top of great dogs, they also serve booze. They don't have a full bar, just beer and wine. And that works just fine for me as a beer drinker. The beer selection is decent but not huge. I wouldn't complain if they had one or two more beers on draft. Are you a football fan? If so, they have the NFL package and multiple TVs. Now, this isn't a sports bar so they don't/can't have every game on at once. But I was able to watch the game I wanted and it provides a great atmosphere to watch a game. Finally, they have a lot of gluten free options in terms of food. I've been here multiple times and loved it each time. I'm not really sure how or why clowns factor into it, but I also don't care b/c they provide a great experience. I'd strongly checking it out when you get a chance. read more

Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor - Hot Dogs Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Fresh and very tasty! French fries and onions are fresh cut and non greasy! Hot dogs are so good! This is the place to get one! read more

Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor - Hot Dogs Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

1st time in. Menu needs to be explained by the server. That's never a great start, but I get what they are trying to do. Dogs were great, onion rings were not ( can not cook small and large ring at the same time ????). Service was respectable. Pricing is reasonable. read more

It was great! Tons of options, well prepared and the service was top notch! I'll be adding this restaurant to my rotation! read more

Pay in cash!! Will not be visiting again. Awful customer service. Charged for another tables ticket and was told "unfortunately its up to my bank now" when I called with the concern that the $64 charge is still showing in my bank account. The experience with the customer service left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm in the people business and will not recommend this place to anyone. Didn't comp anything, let alone get an apology. read more

Great gluten free hot dogs- but it is a loud sports bar. Had to listen to a guy talking about the NFL shrinking the teams during WWII

I love hot dogs. I ate like 5. So goooood. I loved all of the fun combos. I def need to go back soon.

I've been here a couple of times now and it's an absolute delight! The dogs are reasonably priced, the toppings are varied and they don't skimp on portions, the fries and onion rings are tasty. Service is friendly and the decor is fun. read more

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Quirky spot with many unique spins on what to put on your hot dog! Also can choose between brat beef or turkey dogs. Lots of local beer selections too. Service always prompt and friendly. We've become "regulars" of a sort when needing a quick bite before errands. read more

This restaurant has replaced the old ragin shrimp and it's funky! The aesthetic is obviously, clowns. But in a very sports bar-y way. We sat at the bar and ordered with white board markers on a menu where you fill in which things you want. Super easy way to order tbh! We went on a Thursday before a baseball game and there was only one server who was also tending the bar, so obviously the service was slow. The food came out quick though! I got the frito pie all beef hot dog and chili cheese fries and they were both good! They weren't phenomenal or anything crazy, the quality of the food was pretty mid. We did get a frozen cheesecake on a stick and we added shredded coconut, it was so good!! Very delicious, very enjoyed that. What actually brings people here are their wild card hot dogs with things you wouldn't imagine on a dog, such as cheerios, chocolate syrup, fruit loops, and so much more. If you're down for some crazy flavored hot dogs, gotta come here. read more

Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor - Chili cheese fries - Hot Dogs Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Wow such an amazing Hot dog Parlor. My first ever time going to a hotdog Parlor and it was amazing. The hotdog I got was a build your own and it was spectacular. The atmosphere was clean and super friendly. I paid about $6 for a hotdog which I think is a great price. I'm definitely coming back read more

Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor - Hotdog with all natural beer, ketchup, mayo, nacho cheese, bacon, and popcorn. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Atmosphere in here is great. Kind of feel like when I was young and my parents took to the circus! The Chicago dog hit the spot! It really did. I think the price is high for a dog, but I understand. Oh, the tots are cooked to perfection! Crunchy when you bite into them I was at the United store and decided I need a dog, glad I did as the dog was what I needed. It had been a rough end of the FY at work and this made it better. read more

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By @iwanttobewhatieat Look, if you're going to go to @clowndogabq, you're just going to have to send it. You're going to have to lose all sense of self and order half the menu because you can't decide if Froot Loops or popcorn is the better choice on top of bacon or peanut butter. In your life full of bad decisions, I can assure you this whole thing is a good idea. Lean all the way into it and do it all. Then get the loaded tater tots, just in case there's a slight bit of sanity left. No point in pointing things out--it was all EPIC. My lifelong question of whether Froot Loops would be good on peanut butter and sauerkraut has finally been answered, and the answer is: it sure Pho King is. read more

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Loved the homemade veggie dog and creating my own masterpiece with unusual toppings! The service was friendly and we loved sitting on the patio with our two dogs who were very pleased to get dog treats and a bowl of water. read more

This place knows how to take a hot dog and dress it up with unique flavor combinations. No need to settle for some boring condiments when you have a full kitchen of tasty toppings to build your hot dog up right. Nice little sports bar atmosphere with TVs easily visible and friendly service. read more

Clowndog Hot Dog Parlor - Strongman Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Fun atmosphere and unique concept. The staff were exceptionally nice as well. There's a patio out back and a dozen or so tables in the dimly lit joint, with a friendly bar. Seems like a great mellow place to hang out with some buddies on a Saturday afternoon. I was delighted by the numerous veggie options on the menu, including a house made dog (soy-free lentil base as I recall?) AND vegetarian chili! Plus, a monstrous selection of dog accoutrements and other fairground side-flavors. Don't come 'round here for gourmet goods. The dogs weren't sophisticated... generic buns, and generic franks from what I could tell. No, it's all about the novelty of creating a whacky dog-O-rama. If that's what you're after, you won't leave disappointed with your choice. If they emphasized artisan however, like a true gastropub would, this place would have five stars all the way to the bank. read more

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I'm loving the clown theme. This casual place has personality--from clown decor to a chillax patio seating area. There's indoor seating, too. Staff were wonderful. There's street and lot parking. I think street parking is metered. I had no problem grabbing lot parking, so I'm not sure. Food was yummy. There's vegan options!!! The restaurant was clean. Thank you, Clowndog, for a great dining experience! read more

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