Who has the best Scrambled Dog in Columbus? We tried 6 from around the city and ranked them

Columbus has become known for a lot over the years. The “Fountain City,” “Electric City,” home of Ma Rainey, Aflac, etc. And when someone thinks of the city’s signature dish, their mind automatically goes to the Scrambled Dog.

A Scrambled Dog typically includes a hot dog bun, a chopped hot dog, chili, pickles, onions and oyster crackers.

I’ve been eating Scrambled Dogs at Dinglewood Pharmacy since I was old enough to know what a cuss word is and that I probably shouldn’t say them (I would anyway). Yet, I have wondered: “Is there a better Scrambled Dog than Dinglewood’s?”

Well, to find out, I sacrificed my stomach’s tranquility and did a blind taste test of six Scrambled Dogs from restaurants around Columbus and ranked them.

Now, this is simply my opinion based on how I felt that day, in that moment, and it might not be what I’ve thought in the past or will in the future. Each Scrambled Dog was good and had its commendable qualities and made this one of the hardest reviews I’ve ever done.

I tried Scrambled Dogs from Frank’s Alley, World Famous Hot Dogs, Jordan’s Girls Gourmet Dawgs, Destiny Dogs, Southern Roots Country Store and Dinglewood Pharmacy. Here’s how I ranked them:

6: Destiny Dogs

The hot dogs used by Destiny Dogs are great.

5: World Famous Hot Dogs

I have always loved the chili from World Famous, and I love their chili dogs.

4: Frank’s Alley

This Scrambled Dog was by far the fanciest. It had the most ingredients, causing a cacophony of flavors that turned into a symphony in my mouth.

3: Jordan’s Girls Gourmet Dawgs

Jordan’s Girls is one of my favorite places to go for lunch when I’m reporting near the Columbus Civic Center or after an assignment at Recorder’s Court or the Public Safety Building.

2: Dinglewood Pharmacy

One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do is put Dinglewood in second place in this competition. The Dinglewood Scrambled Dog is the epitome of creativity when it comes to hot dogs. It’s full of flavor and yet simplistic in nature, not doing too much and not doing too little.

It’s the Goldilocks “just right” of Scrambled Dogs. The chili is some of the best in Columbus. The pickles, chopped hot dog, bun and onions combined to give an earthy, savory, and vinegary taste with a nice crunch from the oyster crackers.

I have and always will love the Dinglewood Pharmacy Scrambled Dog, and it still will be my go-to Scrambled Dog place despite its second-place ranking.

1: Southern Roots Country Store

Having never had the Scrambled Dog here, this was a very pleasant surprise. The chili on the Scrambled Dog was phenomenal. It had an amazing all-around flavor with a slightly sweet tomato flavor. The combined flavors of the ingredients had the most flavor of any of the Scrambled Dogs.

I must also compliment the presentation of the Scrambled Dog from Southern Roots as well. It easily was one of the prettiest Scrambled Dogs to look at. I’ve always considered food to be an art form. That’s why I take photos of my food (and probably why I can’t lose that extra 10 pounds).

I am sad to have to dethrone Dinglewood, but perhaps I’ll do this again next year and see what my taste buds tell me then. For now, though, I crown Southern Roots Country Store the winner of this blind taste test.

This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 11:21 AM.