There are some places that are so iconic and have been a part of a neighborhood’s landscape for so long that it can be hard to recall a time when it wasn’t there. One such place is Woofies Hot Dogs, located at the intersection of Woodson and Brown Roads in Overland.
At first glance, the small hot dog eatery with its prominent drive-thru and brightly colored exterior gives off a distinctly vintage vibe. And if you opt to walk through its doors instead of visit the drive-thru, you’ll find an order counter and seating for a dozen guests. Upon closer inspection of the interior, you will see that the vintage aesthetic is more than just a vibe, since pieces of Woofies history line the orange-colored walls inside.
There are autographed headshots in frames that feature famous athletes, local media and celebrities that have visited Woofies, along with previous newspaper articles and media coverage documenting various points in the establishment’s nearly five decades of serving hot dogs.
Over the years, the establishment has changed hands a few times. Ian O’Leary owns Woofies with his mother Mary O’Leary, along with Ian’s stepdad Craig Smith. The O’Leary family have been the owners of the place for about a decade, and they purchased it from Paul Fitzgerald. Prior to that, Charlie Eisen was the original owner of Woofies, and he opened it in 1977. According to the St. Louis podcast Lost Tables, the building was originally opened by the Shriber family, who operated a number of burger drive-in restaurants in St. Louis called Hamburger Heaven. The Shribers opened the Woodson Road location in 1958 and closed it in 1973.
“It’s one of those places that you have to preserve the historic vibe of,” O’Leary shared when speaking of the establishment’s orange and mustard yellow color scheme.
Woofies is known for serving Vienna brand dogs, which are an all-beef variety made in Chicago. Since Woofies has served so many of the brand’s hot dogs, the eatery is now listed in the company’s Hall of Fame, an honor an establishment can earn from selling lots of dogs over an extended period of time.
On the menu, Woofies serves up a number of hot dogs and sausages, as well as Italian beef sandwiches and burgers. When it comes to sides, the eatery sticks with the classics like fries, served plain, with cheese or topped with chili and cheese. Guests can also choose from beef tamale, a cup or bowl of chili, chips or a whole pickle.
The hot dog offerings include The Woofie Dog, which is an authentic Chicago-style dog featuring a Vienna beef dog on a poppyseed bun, topped with yellow mustard, a pickle spear, green relish, tomato, chopped onion, sport pepper and celery salt. O’Leary said another popular hot dog offering is the Coney Style, topped with chili, onions, American cheese and pickle, or the New York Nathan Style, which is a split and grilled dog that is topped with brown mustard, relish and sauerkraut.
And if bratwurst or Polish sausages are more to your liking, the menu features a Coney Polish as well as a Chicago Style Polish. For those that like it hot, try the Fire Dog Hot Link, which is a spicy Vienna, deep-fried and served Chicago-style.
Given the establishment’s roots as a burger spot, O’Leary said he’s added to the burger offerings that were already in place. Currently, the menu features a core menu of five burgers, with a number of burger specials available for a limited time.
Some of the selections include the Woofie Burger, a play on the concept’s signature dog, but on a hamburger patty. There’s also the popular Signature Double that comes with American cheese, pickle, onion and the establishment’s signature house-made burger sauce, as well as the bacon-Swiss burger, which comes with grilled onions and mayo. There’s also a traditional burger that features the classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and the typical burger condiments.
Another food change that O’Leary has implemented is putting a plant-based option on the menu. Woofies serves a vegan dog that is made locally by Vegan Deli and Butcher, which O’Leary said is delicious and tastes “very close” to a hot dog made from meat.
Besides the food, O’Leary credits his team and the eatery’s dedicated customer base, with some regulars visiting the restaurant four times a week, as a reason for the business’s continued success. “Our team is incredible and works to get customers their food quickly, while providing a consistent experience,” he said.
1919 Woodson Road, Overland, 314.426.6291, Instagram: @woofieshotdogs
Check out the slideshow below for a peek at Woofies Hot Dogs.
