
National Hot Dog Day is Wednesday, and with that celebration in mind, Gunther Volvo Cars Daytona Beach surveyed 3,006 drivers and truckers on where one can get the best roller-grill hot dogs in the country.
“For millions of drivers, a gas station break isn’t just about refueling the tank,” the Daytona Beach, Florida-based company said. “It’s about refueling the body, too.”
Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven and Wawa, Pennsylvania-based Wawa filled nine of the top 10 spots. Lake Jackson, Texas-based Buc-ee’s came in 10th place.
- Related story: Kwik Trip wins award for nation’s best gas station food
“When you’re 20 miles from the next town, options are limited and time is tight, a hot meal you can eat with one hand becomes essential,” the company said. “Enter the roller hot dog. Sizzling away under a heat lamp near the checkout, the roller dog is the undisputed king of gas station cuisine—fast, cheap, always ready and engineered for eating behind the wheel. It might not be gourmet, but it gets the job done. And sometimes? It’s shockingly good.”
The top 10, with comments from Gunther Volvo Cars Daytona Beach, are:
1. 7-Eleven, Commerce Street, Dallas: In a city of brisket and tacos, you wouldn’t expect a roller dog to shine—but this 7-Eleven in East Dallas proves otherwise. It’s the 1 a.m. hero, the lunch break wingman, the snack of convenience. No frills. Just function. And sometimes that’s perfect.
2. 7-Eleven, Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey: The boardwalk has lobster rolls and $30 cocktails—but two blocks inland, this 7-Eleven has what you really need: a hot dog that’s been spinning since you lost that last hand of blackjack. You add mustard and crushed chips from a bag, eat it walking, and somehow it works.
3. 7-Eleven, Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, Florida: There’s a certain poetry to grabbing a hot dog from this 7-Eleven at 2 a.m. in Jacksonville—especially if you’ve had a night. The dogs are still turning, still steaming, like they’ve seen things. The staff doesn’t judge. The mustard pump still works. It’s a minor miracle in Styrofoam and foil.
4. Wawa, Haddonfield Road, Cherry Hill, New Jersey: This South Jersey Wawa might be better known for hoagies, but locals know the roller dogs are quietly excellent. They’re big, salty, and hit like a truck after a long shift. No judgment here—just you, your snack and a packet of spicy mustard.
5. 7-Eleven, 147th Avenue, Queens, New York: There’s a 7-Eleven on almost every other block, but this one in Queens hits different. Wedged between takeaway joints the roller grill is always full, always turning. The crowd is pure New York: cab drivers, college kids, night-shift workers. You squirt on three condiments, duck outside, and eat it standing next to a mailbox.
6. 7-Eleven, Lovell Road, Knoxville, Tennessee: Near the university, this 7-Eleven feeds students in oversized hoodies and security guards on break. The grill spins steadily, even when no one else seems awake. Grab a dog, slather it in spicy mustard, and walk out into the haze of game-day buzz or exam-week silence.
7. Wawa, West Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa, Florida: Just a few blocks from downtown, this Wawa does big numbers in gas, coffee and, surprisingly, roller dogs. It’s a pit stop for construction crews in the morning and rideshare drivers at midnight. Grab a bun.
8. Wawa, Arch Street, Philadelphia: Wawa may be famous for hoagies, but in this Philly location near Arch Street, the roller dogs have their own fan club. Grab one on the way to a Sixers game, load it with peppers, and try not to drop it in the subway stairwell.
9. 7-Eleven, Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown, Maryland: On the edge of town where truckers meet teenagers, this 7-Eleven has become a trusted pit stop. The hot dogs are always spinning, and the vibe is pure blue collar: no flair, just foil. You get the feeling most customers here could dress one blindfolded.
10. Buc-ee’s, New Braunfels, Texas: Roller dogs in Texas have competition—a lot of it—but Buc-ee’s rises above. This New Braunfels megastop is part theme park, part snack cathedral. The roller grill is one of many attractions, but don’t sleep on it. These dogs are big, bold and built to last a two-hour drive.
“So this National Hot Dog Day, salute the unsung hero of the open road,” Gunther Volvo Cars Daytona Beach said. “It might not be Michelin-starred, but when you're staring down another hundred miles of highway, that foil-wrapped frank might just be the real driving force that gets you there.”
To view the survey’s top gas station hot dog spot in each state, click here.
Methodology: Online panel survey of 3,006 drivers based on age, gender and geography. Internal data sources are used to obtain population data sets. Gunther Volvo Cars Daytona Beach surveyed used a two-step process to ensure representativeness through stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.