6 days ago
The Tire Shop Food Stand Serving Unique-to-Seattle Venezuelan Hot Dogs
is a freelance journalist living in Seattle. A contributor to Eater since 2023, his work has also appeared in Outside Magazine, The Stranger, and Seattle Met.
In Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, where Mexican food and people are the most visible representatives of Latin American culture, Latin American cuisine often gets oversimplified to Mexican food, which in turn gets over-over simplified to tacos, burritos, and $5 margaritas. But if you look beyond Mexico's southern border, there's a literal world of food in Central and South America that deserves appreciation and recognition.
Fortunately for North Seattleites, taking the first step toward something new is easy. Just walk across the street from the Wallingford Chipotle into the parking lot of Omar's Tires, and you'll find Fido Hot Dogs, a new Venezuelan hot dog stand that has emerged as the neighborhood's most wonderful surprise.
'I heard about it through TikTok,' said Jonathan, a customer making his first visit on a busy Saturday night. 'This guy I always see on my feed lives in Venezuela, but somehow was doing promotion for a place in Seattle! My friend went before me, and now here I am.' (Eater Seattle conducted the interviews for this story in Spanish.)
For just over two months, Fido Hot Dogs has been bringing a street food vibe to North 45th Street, a slightly dingy strip of Fremont dotted with ice cream shops and Thai restaurants. Fido has no website, no Instagram — just a TikTok mixed with guest creators promoting Fido Hot Dog's locations in Seattle and Tacoma — and only accepts cash and Zelle. The owner Fido (pronounced fee-dough), declined to provide his last name, but says that he is friends with the Omar's Tires owner.
A hot dog at Fido Hot Dog. Charlie Lahud-Zahner
But what even is a Venezuelan hot dog? Basically, it's a regular steamed dog in a split-top brioche bun like those typically used for lobster rolls that is then heaped with toppings that might impress even the most ardent Seattle dog supporter. The menu options range from a regular hot dog to one with sliced hard-boiled egg to mechipan, a dog with egg and a rich shredded stewed beef (carne mechada), distinct to South America.
A full toppings package includes egg, diced onion, shredded cabbage with carrots, crunchy small fried potato strands (papas al hilo), carne mechada, shredded cheese, mustard, ketchup, and mayo. It's humongous and even if you think you're an adult, use two hands and take small steps.
Despite the presence of dairy, egg, and two different types of meat, the varying textures get along well and are relatively light on the stomach. The fried potato bits and onions add crunch, the egg yolk and the cheese blend well with the carne mechada, and the cabbage makes the whole thing a meal. The only downside is the slightly undercooked dog — the meat is often barely larger than how it came out of the package and would definitely benefit from grilling. However, without a doubt it's the carne mechada that sets Fido Hot Dog apart. The beef is super savory, juicy, and easily worth the extra two dollars.
For drinks there's Frescolito, a Venezuelan soft drink with an almost bubble gum-esque flavor, Coke, or Maltín, a soda best described as a malted cola.
A scene one recent night at Fido Hot Dog. Charlie Lahud-Zahner
'This is the food I ate growing up in Venezuela, the same way you'd have tacos in Mexico or McDonalds here,' says one patron named Uriel. 'The food is different, but the feeling is similar.'
With that being said, most customers are of Venezuelan descent and/or Spanish-speaking. Non-Spanish-speaking Wallingfordians seem simultaneously intrigued and intimidated by the bilingual scene. Jokes, jeers, and jibes in a distinctive fast-paced Venezuelan Spanish fill the air and the cling cling of Doordash notifications is a constant background refrain. According to Michel, the second half of the two-man stand, the majority of the patrons are delivery drivers, and it's not uncommon to see hot dogs eaten at Joey Chestnut speeds as they maintain quick turnaround times.
English speakers do their best to ask clarifying questions while Fido and Michel do their best to give clarifying answers, but small miscommunications regularly occur. Fido and Michel hope that the new printed English menu will help attract even more locals.
With this in mind, any curious diners should make their best Spanish effort if they have the ability to do so. If not, an order of uno con todo will give you the most bang for your buck.
Fido Hot Dog's is located at 2221 N 45th Street in the parking lot of Omar's Tires in Wallingford; open from 7:30 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Sunday; the Tacoma stand is located at 11111 Pacific Avenue South, in the parking lot of another Omar's Tires.
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