Before even going to Reykjavik, we knew that we’d definitely be eating hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. These iconic Icelandic-style frankfurters have been featured in No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain, Forbes magazine and a slew of other travel shows, guides and reviews. As a self-styled hot dog connoisseur (they’re one of my favorite food groups – yes, one can simultaneously love hot dogs and truffles), I just had to see for myself if these Reykjavik hot dogs were as good as their reputation indicated.
The place whose name,
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
translates to “The best hot dogs in town” did not disappoint. Hailing from a city where hot dogs are taken seriously (travelers to NYC always say how they need to get a hot dog from a cart on a street corner – we affectionately call them “dirty water dogs”), I have to say: dang, these Reykjavik hot dogs are legit.
We thought there may be a long line when we arrived by foot, walking from the Sun Voyager statue just along the waterfront. To our great surprise, there were only four people ahead of us in line. Just so you know, we visited on a Monday afternoon at 4:30pm.
The best hot dogs in town?
There are several ways you can dress up your hot dog, but the best way, in my opinion, is to go big or go home. So, get it with “the works” (or in Icelandic, you can say – or try to say- “ein með öllu”) and it’ll come with chopped raw onion, crunchy fried onion (the best part!), ketchup, spiced/caper mayonnaise called remolaði and sweet brown mustard called pylsusinnep.
Two with everything!
The onions and crunchy onions are underneath the hot dog, which is so practical it made me wonder, “Why doesn’t anyone do this in the States?” No onions falling off here and there en route to my mouth from the handy holders!
While I prefer an all-beef frank, these dogs are made with a mix of lamb, pork and beef. They had a delightful snap as I bit into them – much different from a pancho in Argentina.
Everything in Iceland is pretty expensive, but these hot dogs and a drink – so, two hot dogs and a soda, came to only $7.60 US. For such a satisfying meal, I would have gladly paid double, but was so glad I didn’t have to!
Don’t worry about bringing cash, because – like most of the rest of Iceland – this place takes credit cards. This is as of June 2015, so don’t believe anything written before that time if it tells you they only take cash!
MORE INFO ON Reykjavik Hot DogS Mecca, BÆJARINS BEZTU PYLSUR:
Address: Tryggvatagata 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Hours: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is open from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. on weekdays and until 4:30 a.m. on weekends.
Have you been to Baejarins Beztu Pylsur? Have you had a better hot dog in Iceland? Tell me about it in the comments!
