BALTIMORE, MD—For millions of drivers, a gas station break isn’t just about refueling the tank – it’s about refueling the body, too. Whether it’s a cross-country haul or a rushed commute, roadside food has become a beloved (and occasionally questionable) part of the American journey.
When you’re 20 miles from the next town, options are limited and time is tight, a hot meal you can eat with one hand becomes essential. Enter the roller hot dog.
Sizzling away under a heat lamp near the checkout, the roller dog is the undisputed king of gas station cuisine – fast, cheap, always ready, and engineered for eating behind the wheel. It might not be gourmet, but it gets the job done. And sometimes? It’s shockingly good.
With National Hot Dog Day landing on July 16th, Gunther Volvo Cars Daytona Beach surveyed 3,006 drivers and truckers to settle one of the most overlooked questions in American food culture:
Where can you get the best roller hot dogs in the country?
The top 10 were as follows:
#1. 7-Eleven, Commerce Street, Dallas, Texas
In a city of brisket and tacos, you wouldn’t expect a roller dog to shine—but this 7-Eleven in East Dallas proves otherwise. It’s the 1 a.m. hero, the lunch break wingman, the snack of convenience. No frills. Just function. And sometimes that’s perfect.
#2. 7-Eleven, Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey
The boardwalk has lobster rolls and $30 cocktails—but two blocks inland, this 7-Eleven has what you really need: a hot dog that’s been spinning since you lost that last hand of blackjack. You add mustard and crushed chips from a bag, eat it walking, and somehow it works.
#3. 7-Eleven, Old St Augustine Road, Jacksonville, Florida
There’s a certain poetry to grabbing a hot dog from this 7-Eleven at 2 a.m. in Jacksonville—especially if you’ve had a night. The dogs are still turning, still steaming, like they’ve seen things. The staff doesn’t judge. The mustard pump still works. It’s a minor miracle in styrofoam and foil.
#4. Wawa, Haddonfield Road, Cherry Hill, New Jersey
This South Jersey Wawa might be better known for hoagies, but locals know the roller dogs are quietly excellent. They’re big, salty, and hit like a truck after a long shift. No judgment here—just you, your snack, and a packet of spicy mustard.
#5. 7-Eleven, 147th Avenue, Queens, New York
There’s a 7-Eleven on almost every other block, but this one in Queens hits different. Wedged between take away joints the roller grill is always full, always turning. The crowd is pure New York: cab drivers, college kids, night shift workers. You squirt on three condiments, duck outside, and eat it standing next to a mailbox.
#6. 7-Eleven, Lovell Road, Knoxville, Tennessee
Near the university, this 7-Eleven feeds students in oversized hoodies and security guards on break. The grill spins steadily, even when no one else seems awake. Grab a dog, slather it in spicy mustard, and walk out into the haze of game-day buzz or exam-week silence.
#7. Wawa, W Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa, Florida
Just a few blocks from downtown, this Wawa does big numbers in gas, coffee, and, surprisingly, roller dogs. It’s a pit stop for construction crews in the morning and rideshare drivers at midnight. Grab a bun.
#8. Wawa, Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wawa may be famous for hoagies, but in this Philly location near Arch Street, the roller dogs have their own fan club. Grab one on the way to a Sixers game, load it with peppers, and try not to drop it in the subway stairwell.
#9. 7-Eleven, Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown, Maryland
On the edge of town where truckers meet teenagers, this 7-Eleven has become a trusted pit stop. The hot dogs are always spinning, and the vibe is pure blue-collar: no flair, just foil. You get the feeling most customers here could dress one blindfolded.
#10. Buc-ee’s, New Braunfels, Texas
Roller dogs in Texas have competition—a lot of it—but Buc-ee’s rises above. This New Braunfels megastop is part theme park, part snack cathedral. The roller grill is one of many attractions, but don’t sleep on it. These dogs are big, bold, and built to last a two-hour drive. This Buc-ee’s is one of the largest convenience stores in the world.
Two more Maryland stores featured in the list of the nation’s favorite hot dog spots:
#52. Royal Farms, Washington Boulevard (Baltimore)
Royal Farms might be famous for chicken, but in Baltimore, this location quietly slings some of the best roller dogs around. Right off the beltway, it’s a haven for night-shift workers and Orioles fans heading home. The dogs have that just-right char, and the only real question is: do you add Old Bay? (The answer is yes.)
#87. Dash In, Crain Highway (Waldorf)
Nestled in Southern Maryland suburbia, this Dash In gets overlooked—but not by locals. The roller grill is compact but always loaded, and the staff actually rotates the dogs (a small miracle). There’s a quiet, unspoken rhythm to the line: dog, mustard, slushy, done.
So this National Hot Dog Day, salute the unsung hero of the open road. It might not be Michelin-starred, but when you’re staring down another hundred miles of highway, that foil-wrapped frank might just be the real driving force that gets you there.
The full ranking is available online here.
