Surf Dogs

Restaurant just recently advertised on Groupon.
Food was average at best. I can get the same hot dog at Busch Stadium
Fries had a garlic seasoning, which was also average.
Service was good. Not too many people here on a Sunday afternoon.
Server consistently complained about people coming in.
Restaurant closed at 3 and people were coming in at 2:15.
Wouldn’t come back.

Been to Surg Dogs twice now with several Mercy co-​workers. We eat out everyday. .. when possible and we LOVE our lunches. Several months ago, we decided to try Surf Dogs at 137 Chesterfield Towne Centre in the Chesterfield Valley area.
This trip, I decided to have the pup dogs (you get to choose four miniature hot dogs) on a place and fixed however you would like them. I had the Chicago version with the bright green relish, mustard, onions too. Love the smaller dogs and the taste was really good. I didn’t have any additional items (fries, chips, or other items that they offer).
We had a great server — although I don’t recall her name. They also have a board of people on the wall who eat all 10 of their specialty hot dogs in 30 minutes (no substitutions and you must eat them in the order they are on the menu!)
If you want something great for lunch (or I am sure they may be open for dinner too), try Surg Dogs in Chesterfield Valley!

I love Chicago style hot dogs. Surf dogs does them right. The Vienna beef dog, the tomato, the neon relish, mustard, huge spear of dill, the steamed poppy seed bun and the small peppers. Yummy. Tuesdays special: two dogs, a drink and fries or chips. $ 7.49. They offer all manner of other menu items but why would I stray from the gold standard? They used to have the customer order at the bar but now waitresses take your order from the table. Service is quick and the beer is cold. Don’t change a thing. Oops, my mouth is watering. Maybe I’ll go there today.
So sad they are out of business.

I wanted a chili dog for lunch and ran down to Surf Dogs for the first time ever. I’m not sure why I had never gone except that the name seems so out of place in St Louis and I never go to the gnarly beach dude places even when at the beach. Anyway, I wanted a southern style chili dog with slaw. They have a classic chili dog with chile, onions and cheese and they have a slaw dog. I asked for the chili dog, hold the onion, hold the cheese and add some slaw. They cheerfully obliged.
I just want to say that it was OK, no real issues, it is just uninspired, nothing special. First, Vienna beef dogs are somewhat overrated. They don’t really have the flavor to stand up to chili. Second the chili, as several people have mentioned, is obviously not a special, secret homemade sauce. It is clearly canned with distractingly strong cumin. I am guessing it is from a restaurant supply, Sysco or some such. At least I did not find kidney beans in my serving. Finally, the slaw is not what should be served on dogs. This was just salad slaw, fairly coarsely shredded and very flat in flavor. It was advertised as tangy, but was far from it.
My suggestions to improve:
–split and grill the dogs. The flavor will soar.
–go to work on a signature, special super-​secret homemade chile sauce and the next thing you know Guy and DDD will be at your door. This is the number one priority. Use real chile pods and get rid of the canned chili powdery texture.
–go for a drive across the South ordering southern dogs and burgers with slaw and see how the slaw should be, finely ground and with a deeper flavored dressing.
My rating is 2−½, rounded up. It’s just good enough to go back.

Who would’ve thought a hotdog joint in the valley would be such a hit?
Surf Dogs does it up right. From the steamed buns to the Vienna Beef; from the home made chips to the Italian beef sandwich! This place is worth the trip, and apparently others think so, too since they are always packed at lunchtime!
With many different options on the menu, you’re not limited to just hotdogs. So, even with the most pickiest of people, you’re sure to be able to please everyone.
A great atmosphere with a great wait staff. I expect to see you there!

The Surf Burger is better than the hot dogs. They have a good beer selection. The mini corn dogs are great. Avoid the ice tea; mine was only slightly stronger than tap water, I mentioned it and the waitress looked at a straw of it, shrugged her shoulders and said «I guess it is just weak today».
Nice place to have a beer without feeling like you are trapped in the filthy, zoo-​like atmosphere that seems to be springing up in «the Valley».