Food & Drink

I Tried Great Wolf Lodge's New Hot Dog Menu - Here's My Honest Review

By Brittany Galla Parade - Food and Drink Stories

Updated May 25, 2026 2:29 PM

Move over ranch milkshake-Great Wolf Lodge has a new viral food moment.

Earlier this year, the resort's limited-edition ranch milkshake took over TikTok, with ranch-lovers scrambling to try the creation before it disappeared. Now, just in time for summer, Great Wolf Lodge is back with another over-the-top seasonal menu.

Starting Memorial Day, the family resort teamed up with Nathan's Famous to launch "Hot Dog Days of Summer," a limited-time menu featuring five regional hot dogs inspired by flavors from around the United States.

I got to try the full lineup at Great Wolf Lodge in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, and honestly? Some of these were way better than I expected.

Here's my ranking of every hot dog on the new menu-plus, where you can find them before they disappear after Labor Day.

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What Is Great Wolf Lodge's New Hot Dog Menu?

Great Wolf Lodge partnered with Nathan's Famous to create a limited-edition summer menu featuring five specialty hot dogs inspired by regional American flavors.

Each hot dog starts with a Nathan's Famous all-beef frank and adds toppings inspired by different parts of the country-from a Chicago-style dog piled high with toppings to a lobster-topped New England version.

The menu was created to celebrate America's upcoming 250th birthday and is available at select Great Wolf Lodge resorts for a limited time this summer.

How Long Is the Great Wolf Lodge Hot Dog Menu Available?

The "Hot Dog Days of Summer" menu launches Memorial Day weekend and will be available through Labor Day 2026.

Where Is the Menu Available?

The limited-time menu is available at select Great Wolf Lodge locations, including:

Anaheim, California
Grapevine, Texas
Gurnee, Illinois
Manteca, California
Mason, Ohio
Perryville, Maryland
Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
Scottsdale, Arizona
Webster, Texas
Williamsburg, Virginia

What Hot Dogs Are on the Menu?

New England Lobster Dog

This hot dog is served on a buttery, split-top potato roll and topped with lobster meat that's been mixed with celery, mayonnaise, fresh chives and tarragon. It's finished with salt and pepper, giving it more of a lobster-roll-meets-hot-dog vibe.

Unlike the other menu items, the Lobster Dog is only available inside the full-service restaurants at all Great Wolf Lodge locations nationwide. It's priced at $25.99 and comes with fries.

Carolina Dog

Inspired by "Carolina barbecue flavors," this hot dog is topped with pulled pork, creamy coleslaw, chopped onion and a pickle spear, then finished with Carolina Gold BBQ sauce.

If you love smoky barbecue flavors, you don't want to miss it.

Southwest Dog

The Southwest Dog leans into fresh toppings and texture. It comes loaded with pico de gallo, grilled jalapeños, avocado, Mexican cream and crunchy corn chips, plus a lime wedge.

Big Texas Dog

As expected, this one is messy in the best possible way.

The Big Texas Dog is topped with beef brisket chili, shredded cheddar cheese and optional diced onions.

Chicago Dog

The Chicago Dog stays pretty traditional, complete with neon green relish, sport peppers, chopped onions, tomato slices and yellow mustard on a poppy seed bun.

And true to its Chicago roots, no ketchup.

Great Wolf Lodge Hot Dog Menu, Ranked

5. Chicago Dog

I know Chicago dog fans may come for me here, but this one just wasn't for me. Honestly, it was a little too spicy and vinegary for my taste (I blame the relish and sport peppers). If you love a traditional Chicago-style hot dog loaded with toppings, you'll probably enjoy it way more than I did. But compared to the other options, this is the one I'd be least likely to go back for.

4. Carolina Dog

The Carolina Dog tasted like summer barbecue in a hot dog. The pulled pork had a smoky flavor, while the coleslaw cooled everything down. The pickle and Carolina Gold BBQ sauce was flavorful, but the strong pickle flavor took over a little too much for me personally.

3. Big Texas Dog

This one felt the most like classic comfort food. The beef brisket chili was delicious and even had a hint of coffee in it that I tasted. Add in the cheddar cheese and onions, and I was going for more bites during the taste test. Definitely on the heavy side, but still very good.

2. Southwest Dog

This one surprised me. The fresh avocado, pico de gallo and crunchy tortilla strips gave it a ton of texture, and it tasted fresh, flavorful and a little lighter than some of the heavier hot dogs on the menu. Overall, it just worked after a day of slides and the wave pool with three little kids.

1. New England Lobster Dog

I genuinely did not expect this to be my favorite - especially because I'm not even a huge lobster roll person-but this was the only hot dog I completely finished.

The lobster mixture was creamy and buttery, and the chopped celery added the perfect crunch. I loved the little hint of lemon and herbs mixed into the mayo, and the toasted split-top bun made it feel way more fancy than a theme park hot dog. Mine was loaded with real knuckle meat, and the crushed saltines on top added the salty crunch.

Honestly, I'd order this again-even outside of a taste test.

How Much Are the New Hot Dogs at Great Wolf Lodge?

With the exception of the New England Lobster Dog, every specialty hot dog costs $16.99 and comes with chips and a fountain drink.

There's also a kids option available for $9.99 that includes a hot dog, chips and a soda.

On the other hand, the New England Lobster Dog is priced separately at $25.99 and comes with french fries instead of chips. In the Poconos location, you can find it at the Fireside restaurant to the right of the lobby entrance.

How To Try the New Great Wolf Lodge Hot Dogs

The "Hot Dog Days of Summer" menu is available now at participating Great Wolf Lodge resorts through Labor Day, while supplies last.

The specialty hot dogs are sold at locations inside participating resorts, while the Lobster Dog is available in the lodges' full-service restaurants nationwide.

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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 1:19 PM.