3170 Tillicum Rd
Victoria, BC

Hours: Daily from 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Menu: thehotdogguy.ca
Phone: (250) 882-7199

The Hot Dog Guys at Tillicum Mall know their way around a good dog. The selection depends on what customers request or what’s on their menu, and they clearly have a passion for the craft. The catch is that their location inside the mall comes with limitations. For example, they can’t serve a true Chicago-style dog since they don’t have access to poppy seed buns, fresh tomatoes, or other toppings that require more storage and prep space.

I respect that they’re making the best of what they have, but the “mall setup” inevitably caps their potential. A great hot dog should have fresh toppings and some creative flair, and that’s difficult to deliver without a proper kitchen. While I enjoyed my visit, I left uncertain if I’d return—more because of the environment than the people running the place.

That said, the menu does tempt with regional inspirations like the Seattle Dog and the Portlander. Unfortunately, without the right tools, these creations don’t quite hit their mark. When I tried their basic dog, it was fine, but the roller-style heating left me wishing for something grilled to order. I imagine mall restrictions prevent them from cooking the way they’d prefer, which is a shame.

The Seattle Dog in particular felt off. Traditionally it’s known for cream cheese and a generous pile of sautéed onions, but here it leaned toward cabbage, jalapeños, and a drizzle of sriracha. A white sauce was added, but it didn’t taste like cream cheese, which left the flavour profile muddled. Even the bun was not as described online—neither pretzel nor steamed. Whether this was due to running out of ingredients (their food truck was also operating that day at the Cherry Bomb Toy’s Ultimate Toy Fair) or just a prep issue, it was noticeable. If a key component isn’t available, I’d rather see the item pulled until it can be served properly.

As for the Portlander, it’s still an evolving idea even in Portland itself, so there’s more flexibility. That said, offering regional dogs without the facilities to properly recreate them can set expectations too high. Saving those recipes for when a larger kitchen is available might serve them better in the long run, ensuring customers get the full experience they’re promised.

Here’s the caveat: The Hot Dog Guys are doing a better job than most, especially considering how restricted they are by their setting. Within those handcuffs, they manage to put out hot dogs that are tasty, affordable, and delivered with enthusiasm. With a proper standalone kitchen or location, they could truly shine and serve the kind of regional hot dogs they aspire to. I’d love to see them eventually open a shop of their own in Victoria—one that gives them the space and tools to really show what they can do. The potential is there, and the score is based on what their current space ranks them as, otherwise it’d be a point higher.

3 Stars out of 5