i've tried out capital pub and hot dog located in the east village a couple of times now. it was a very cool place. for starters it is a hawkeye bar so that is an added bonus. the first time i went with the chicago dog, my favorite part was the poppy seed bun. i can't seem to find anywhere in des moines that sells them, so i was super excited. the hot dog was good, but no where close to an actual chicago dog from the windy city. on my second visit, i ordered the mobayashi, it has some of my favorite things about sushi on a hot dog, including wasabi but i probably wouldn't order it again. all their hot dogs range from $5.00-$6.50. you can substitute any dog with a turkey dog if you're trying to save a few calories. they also have a variety of sandwiches, salads and apps to choose from. i think this would be a great place to hit up to watch an iowa game or before heading out to see the icubs.
(4)
Kevin T.
This place is the best Chili Dog I have had since moving to Des Moines. They feature all kinds of Hot Dogs...Nacho Dog, Chicago Dog and a Mad Dog that sounded like it would pack enough heat to burn my face off (or wait a few hours and something else would be burning.) Happy hour here had solid deals. Definitely a place we will visit again and again.
(4)
Haley R.
I like Capital Pub & Hot Dog. They have a great selection of inventive hot dogs and sandwiches, a decent beer list, and a divey atmosphere that makes me feel right at home.
(4)
Diana L.
Great food, recommend the "drunken" for sauerkraut lovers. Sweet potato fries excellent. Great service, clean restrooms.
(5)
Lilly S.
First I'm sorry I am not a hot dog fan. So I had the grilled chicken. It said marinated chicken breast but I think it was the frozen chicken with grill marks. Our cheese curds were burnt - no cheese left in them. The dogs were good - but lukewarm. We paid $55 for 4 of us. Not really worth it. The waitress said she'd only been there a month and didn't know the difference between the chili and the coney sauce. So what do you learn in a month?
(2)
Minhchau D.
Usually a vegan hotdog is something that you wince at because it's hard to get the toppings right (a lot of people just pretend it's not possible), but Capital Pub and Hot Dog did a good job taking even the simple flavors and making it palatable. I had a Chicago (which is just a notch more complicated than a regular hotdog) without onions and with some waffle fries and I was very pleased with the result. If it was closer to downtown, I'd have gone back there again while I was in Des Moines to try something more adventurous, but I didn't have the time. Staff was friendly and even chatted with me a bit outside of the restaurant while I was waiting for my ride back to my hotel, which was a nice personal touch that I didn't get from other Des Moines restaurants. Definitely worth a visit if you'd like to try a decent vegan hotdog with some very friendly service.
(4)
Drew K.
One of the best hotdogs I've ever had. I had the buffalo vegan dogs with bleu cheese on it and my wife had the mobayashi vegan dog. Yes, those sound strange but they taste amazing. I will be going back often!
(5)
Ron L.
Interesting hot dogs and a decent beer selection. The toppings on the dogs are exceptional but the wieners themselves are disappointing. I recommend the nacho dog. The problem is 2 dogs and 2 beers is around $30 before tip. I expect those prices at a ballgame not at a bar.
(3)
Patrick T.
Fun little pub, with a great patio. They serve crazy hot dogs, with all sorts of ingrediants! I love that they have Vegan options for dogs! This is place is really easy to get too but a little off the beaten path and you kinda need to know where it is to find it! But if you live downtown, or in the east village it's still walkable! They have cool options for sides like waffle fries or fried pickles, and cheap beer! It's a damn fine place to maybe hit on a bike ride, and or before an I-Cubs game! Check it out this summer if your digging on a doggy!
(4)
Caroline M.
Yummm! This is a totally fun place to nosh on upscale hot dogs. I went with the classic Chicago Style, since I have been craving it ever since I moved away from Chicago. It was fantastic! I loved the corn dog. The batter is slightly sweet and works so well with the salty hot dog. Get the fried pickles! And waffle fries. Then go for a run.... Beers are plentiful. Service is attentive. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Doug L.
This is 'just' a hot dog place but the do them all so well. Not fancy at all but the help is super friendly and the food is quick and consistent. A favorite for lunch
(5)
J. H.
I had the hamburger hotdog. Great combo. So delish. Though I'll say the individual order I got was lacking both seasoning and finesse But overall was such a big portion I couldn't complain. All in all a GREAT place to go to especially on a budget! Great staff , great prices , sports atmosphere.
(4)
Courtney T.
The hot dogs are inventive and delicious. Service can be slow unless you sit at the bar. Good drink options with local brews available.
(4)
Melissa M.
Here's a bunch of F words that sump up my feelings on Capital Hot Dog: Fun (read: cool people, atmosphere) Fast (good service) Fresh (I'm not wondering if the dogs are made of "mystery meat" - definitely top notch) Flexible menu (turkey Chicago style dog = perfect for me! Nacho dog = perfect for boy!) Fermented beverage haven (solid beer choices) Fries (no explanation needed.) Fantastic. Frickin fan-flippin-tastic. F'real.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Stacy H.
i've tried out capital pub and hot dog located in the east village a couple of times now. it was a very cool place. for starters it is a hawkeye bar so that is an added bonus. the first time i went with the chicago dog, my favorite part was the poppy seed bun. i can't seem to find anywhere in des moines that sells them, so i was super excited. the hot dog was good, but no where close to an actual chicago dog from the windy city. on my second visit, i ordered the mobayashi, it has some of my favorite things about sushi on a hot dog, including wasabi but i probably wouldn't order it again. all their hot dogs range from $5.00-$6.50. you can substitute any dog with a turkey dog if you're trying to save a few calories. they also have a variety of sandwiches, salads and apps to choose from. i think this would be a great place to hit up to watch an iowa game or before heading out to see the icubs.
(4)Kevin T.
This place is the best Chili Dog I have had since moving to Des Moines. They feature all kinds of Hot Dogs...Nacho Dog, Chicago Dog and a Mad Dog that sounded like it would pack enough heat to burn my face off (or wait a few hours and something else would be burning.) Happy hour here had solid deals. Definitely a place we will visit again and again.
(4)Haley R.
I like Capital Pub & Hot Dog. They have a great selection of inventive hot dogs and sandwiches, a decent beer list, and a divey atmosphere that makes me feel right at home.
(4)Diana L.
Great food, recommend the "drunken" for sauerkraut lovers. Sweet potato fries excellent. Great service, clean restrooms.
(5)Lilly S.
First I'm sorry I am not a hot dog fan. So I had the grilled chicken. It said marinated chicken breast but I think it was the frozen chicken with grill marks. Our cheese curds were burnt - no cheese left in them. The dogs were good - but lukewarm. We paid $55 for 4 of us. Not really worth it. The waitress said she'd only been there a month and didn't know the difference between the chili and the coney sauce. So what do you learn in a month?
(2)Minhchau D.
Usually a vegan hotdog is something that you wince at because it's hard to get the toppings right (a lot of people just pretend it's not possible), but Capital Pub and Hot Dog did a good job taking even the simple flavors and making it palatable. I had a Chicago (which is just a notch more complicated than a regular hotdog) without onions and with some waffle fries and I was very pleased with the result. If it was closer to downtown, I'd have gone back there again while I was in Des Moines to try something more adventurous, but I didn't have the time. Staff was friendly and even chatted with me a bit outside of the restaurant while I was waiting for my ride back to my hotel, which was a nice personal touch that I didn't get from other Des Moines restaurants. Definitely worth a visit if you'd like to try a decent vegan hotdog with some very friendly service.
(4)Drew K.
One of the best hotdogs I've ever had. I had the buffalo vegan dogs with bleu cheese on it and my wife had the mobayashi vegan dog. Yes, those sound strange but they taste amazing. I will be going back often!
(5)Ron L.
Interesting hot dogs and a decent beer selection. The toppings on the dogs are exceptional but the wieners themselves are disappointing. I recommend the nacho dog. The problem is 2 dogs and 2 beers is around $30 before tip. I expect those prices at a ballgame not at a bar.
(3)Patrick T.
Fun little pub, with a great patio. They serve crazy hot dogs, with all sorts of ingrediants! I love that they have Vegan options for dogs! This is place is really easy to get too but a little off the beaten path and you kinda need to know where it is to find it! But if you live downtown, or in the east village it's still walkable! They have cool options for sides like waffle fries or fried pickles, and cheap beer! It's a damn fine place to maybe hit on a bike ride, and or before an I-Cubs game! Check it out this summer if your digging on a doggy!
(4)Caroline M.
Yummm! This is a totally fun place to nosh on upscale hot dogs. I went with the classic Chicago Style, since I have been craving it ever since I moved away from Chicago. It was fantastic! I loved the corn dog. The batter is slightly sweet and works so well with the salty hot dog. Get the fried pickles! And waffle fries. Then go for a run.... Beers are plentiful. Service is attentive. I will definitely be back.
(4)Doug L.
This is 'just' a hot dog place but the do them all so well. Not fancy at all but the help is super friendly and the food is quick and consistent. A favorite for lunch
(5)J. H.
I had the hamburger hotdog. Great combo. So delish. Though I'll say the individual order I got was lacking both seasoning and finesse But overall was such a big portion I couldn't complain. All in all a GREAT place to go to especially on a budget! Great staff , great prices , sports atmosphere.
(4)Courtney T.
The hot dogs are inventive and delicious. Service can be slow unless you sit at the bar. Good drink options with local brews available.
(4)Melissa M.
Here's a bunch of F words that sump up my feelings on Capital Hot Dog: Fun (read: cool people, atmosphere) Fast (good service) Fresh (I'm not wondering if the dogs are made of "mystery meat" - definitely top notch) Flexible menu (turkey Chicago style dog = perfect for me! Nacho dog = perfect for boy!) Fermented beverage haven (solid beer choices) Fries (no explanation needed.) Fantastic. Frickin fan-flippin-tastic. F'real.
(5)