Big Dog

Big Dawwwwwwg. I’ve walked past this place so many times and never even considered going in until I saw the favourable reviews from the other Unilocalers. I love upmarket independent fast food joints, but there’s something about the similarity of the font to ‘eat4less’ two doors down that suggest you are going to be served a rubbish meal in a tray.
Not the case here, the quality is top notch. The dogs (choice of beef and pork!) are delicious, the brioche buns absolutely perfect and the hand cut chips exactly as they should be, skin on and crispy.
I went for the standard beef dog with onions, mustard and ketchup. I was going to try one with the beef chili, but unfortunately they had run out (hey it was 6:30 on a Tuesday and I guess they are more of a lunch place so can’t hold that against them).
The menu offers a range of other options, including unusual burgers (elk, springbock etc) and a huge range of burger and hot dog variations, but the icing on the cake is the price. £2.99 for a regular big dog and £4.99 for a dog and (generous) portion of fries is an absolute steel. The dogs go up to £4.99 if the toppings start getting a bit premium, which by comparison to the average food you get served at some pub chains and mainstream fast food vendors, is still a cracking deal.
The only thing that lets Big Dog down is the interior, it could do with a bit of freshening up, as the tables can be a bit wonky and the leather on the chairs a bit knackered (and it doesn’t match the big shiny glass exterior). I’m not sure you can really hold this against Big Dog though, with the uncertainly of the future of this area at the moment, it wouldn’t be wise to plow cash into the venue. If the area is redeveloped, I hope big dog decides to find a new venue, because there aren’t a lot of places doing this kind of thing (at this level) right now.

I was distracted by the idea of a Hot Dog on my way to Library of Birmingham and I realised I’ve never been in to BIG DOG. I’m going to have to say it loud I’m afraid
BIG DOG!
50s Americana music played during my visit and the red and black booths and walls made me think of American burger venues.
But this is the UK and chunky skin on fries and a pork dog were the order of the day. Very nice they were too. presented in little food baskets with grease proof type paper.
I’ll be sure to come here again and try something else off the menu.
I’ve heard great things about the other food!

Going home after watching a movie, passing through Paradise Forum. It was around 8pm amd saw this place. It was empty and thought I could quickly grab take away.
I wakked in and was checking menu. Being my first time I didn’t know what to go for, all sounded great on menu. Friendly staff, didn’t understand much english, tried to ask him for a recommendation but he didn’t seem to understand. I had to use some kind of sign/​body language (pointing at menu) and try tell him it’s my first time and wanted something spicy but not habanero hot.
Once he understood he was very helpful and told me to go for number 1 which is popular one and can customise your hot dog with any toppings. He told me to try peri peri sauce, mustard and onions since I didn’t want it too hot. Got some fries too.
He showed me when was ready and asked if it’s ok and needed more toopings. I saw choped tomatoes, spring onions and asked of can have on hot dog. I just wanted as much stuff on there. He was happy to do it and tried to make it look good but it was already a messy hot dog. A good mess. I just wanted to dive in and try it
Fries are amazing, as good as the Five Guys. I didn’t want finish. Next is to try other stuff on menu. Leave your diet at the door when you come here

Popped into this place for a pre cinema visit. The place has an American diner feel to it, offering hot dogs, burgers, burritos, nachos, pancakes and waffles and lots more besides! The milkshake flavours sounded delicious with flavours such as blue millions, and Oreos.
The hot chocolate I had arrived steaming hot and was really tasty — no wishy washy flavoured water here!
Service with a smile would be good, but I guessed that the waitress had put in a long shift.
I look forward to returning here to try the food. Good value meal deals here too!

I’m not going to lie, I really like this place. Ive not been a fan of this fad of making the hot dog, essentially the worst offcuts of meat into something that’s supposed to be fancy. You can stick that and your brioche bun where there is no sun. That being said I have had it done well a couple of times and big dog is one of those places.
There’s a fair range of hot dogs on offer. Leave your diet at the door. This is dirty pork, filthy cheese goodness. However there are other options, including a range of burgers if that’s more your thing.
I love the décor, emulating an American diner. I haven’t tried the deserts yet; should my stomach ever stretch that far I’ll update this review. Also I really love the chips. They’re right up my street :-)
This is a fast food restaurant. If you’re looking for fine dining, it won’t be for you. But if you’ve got a hunger on, a hangover or a craving for food thay would make Gillian McKieth swoon in horror, his should be in your mix.

They had me at «pork or beef».
Similar story to those below. The selection is wide but no nonsense and the prices are reasonable (£5 for a meal deal). The beef hotdog I had was big and delicious and served with a decent portion of good chips with my choice of sauce.
I think they might suffer a bit from location, paradise forum is always pretty untrendy. It was only a Tuesday lunch but they should have been absolutely rammed. I think the décor is a little bit 99p baguette shop personally but the music is bang on (although someone just skipped ‘son of a preacher man’ to my discontent).
If they served this food for this price in a fashionable bar there would be a stampede. A much better option than the similar offerings at wetherspoons or maccy d’s.
Only lost a star on service because the server was pretty brusque.

You know when you’re in town and you have a great hunger that needs satisfying with something quick, cheap and tasty? And you don’t like McDonald’s?
Finally, we have a solution in BigDog– the biggest hot dogs I’ve ever seen (I have to seriously consider whether I can also fit in any fries with it), prices starting at £2.99 for a regular dog and £3.99 for a regular burger, fun diner style seating and cool diner music.
There’s a huge selection and the dogs can be veggie or beef instead of pork if you prefer. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can grab an elk burger.
I haven’t been very adventurous, but I can vouch for the chilli dog (it’s a chilli cheese dog technically, but you can ask for no cheese) and the regular dog.
Free wifi too– perfect!

Bit disappointed with my visit here today, a massive choice of what sounded like potentially amazing flavour combinations with option of 4 meats or a veggie dog (I was in a dog rather than burger frame of mind) which was some what let down.
Firstly on ordering my chosen dog combo I was almost ordered to pick from 2 pre-​chosen dog bases, why not the offer of the other 2 or the veggie dog, maybe recommendations but it didn’t come across that way. Secondly the till and ordering service felt like a formality rather than part of the whole dining experience, a scripted robust method of churning through the customers rather than service with a smile. Finally the overall taste sensation built up by the great menu failed to live up to expectations, a somewhat lacklustre effort, maybe it was my particular choice…
Not all cons though, there was a very enjoyed lunchtime blues Americana soundtrack, authentic décor with diner style boothes, a milkshake bar (passed on that this occasion), very quick table service and I certainly wasn’t hungry when leaving.
Although maybe not a repeat visitor for me I would say try it at least once as others seem to have seen the better side of here.

HOLY COW BATMAN! There are a whole load of great new venues opening up in Birmingham, but this really takes the biscuit on a whole range of fronts.
This place used to be a pancake, ice cream and milkshake shop called Entices. I heard great things about it, but never got a chance to go (mainly because whenever I tried it was closed). It was a twee little parlour, but was never that busy.
Now… it’s a beast of a venue. Having opened in December, it’s modest location hides a wonderful range of surprises. It’s decorated diner style and has about ⁷⁄₈ comfy booths in which you can while away a casual lunch or just a couple of hours. It’s main speciality are it’s hotdogs and 28 day aged chuck steak burgers (as well as a few exotic options including Elk and Ostrich).
Not only does it do a range of hotdogs (available in veggie, beef, pork, lamb or chicken); but with all sorts of different toppings including chilli, cheese, seaweed… honestly, a huge range. You can also customise your burgers and your buns (brioche or plain white), so you can have a different option everytime you dine. The fries are thick cut skin on chips are are delicious. These also come with a range of sauces and toppings.
As well as junk food, they also do wholesome homemade vegetarian or meat soup, tea and coffee and lots of desserts. A stack of thick American pancakes will set you back £2.99 and a large milkshake about the same.
I went for the Japadog and Wasabi fries, which were delicious. The fries could have been more spicy, but they really were delish. A meal deal (hotdog/​burger, fries and a soft drink) will set you back £4.99 — but all of the menu options seem incredibly reasonable.
This place has lost a star as it doesn’t do peanut butter milkshakes. A small thing, I know, but it is a good 4.5. The music, décor, service and food is great. If you’re hungry in the City, check them out1