When people think of Disneyland, they typically imagine magical rides, costumed characters, and colorful parades. But in recent years, the park has also become a destination for food lovers.
From gourmet dining experiences like Napa Rose’s exclusive chef’s table to casual yet iconic eats like the skewers at Bengal Barbecue, Disneyland has plenty to offer in the culinary department. Yet, there’s one specialty that stands out—so much so that it has developed a dedicated fan base. Surprisingly, this culinary star is an unassuming hot dog.
The Birth of Disneyland’s Hot Dog of the Month
The idea of a monthly gourmet hot dog offering first began in 2019 when White Water Snacks at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa was revamped into GCH Craftsman Grill.
This quick-service restaurant and its adjoining poolside lounge, GCH Craftsman Bar, have since become the go-to spots for these monthly hot dog creations. Each month, a brand-new hot dog is introduced, taking this everyday snack to gourmet heights.
Unlike the classic hot dog you might grab at a ballpark, Disneyland’s hot dog of the month is anything but ordinary. These aren’t your typical ketchup-and-mustard topped dogs.
Each month, the chefs get creative, using high-quality ingredients, exciting flavor combinations, and unique toppings to make something truly special. The best part? You don’t even need a theme park ticket to get one!
Culinary Creativity Behind the Monthly Hot Dogs
Leading the charge for these unique hot dogs is Chef Marcel St. Pierre, a Disneyland veteran with more than 23 years of experience, including time spent as the executive chef of the exclusive Club 33. Now serving as the executive chef at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, St. Pierre oversees a talented team of chefs who develop a new hot dog concept every month.
The process is highly collaborative, with five lead and sous chefs brainstorming ideas based on seasonal ingredients, holidays, and even their personal culinary backgrounds.
Once a hot dog concept is developed, it’s presented to St. Pierre, who taste-tests it and offers feedback. Sometimes, the ideas are a bit wild, but that’s part of the fun. As St. Pierre puts it, “If they can get it to work, then it’s a go.”
Monthly Hot Dogs: A Few Standouts
Some of the past hot dogs have become legends in their own right. For example, the September 2023 gordita dog featured a cheesy flatbread wrapped around an all-beef hot dog, with toppings like chipotle aioli, pico de gallo, cilantro, and a black bean spread. This Mexican-inspired creation was a far cry from your average hot dog.
Another fan favorite was the January 2022 Philadelphia cheesesteak dog, which combined the classic flavors of a Philly cheesesteak—sautéed onions, bell peppers, shaved ribeye steak, and melted cheese—with the all-American hot dog.
The menu also gets creative with the sides, often pairing the hot dogs with unique accompaniments. For example, the Hawaii hot dog came with Maui onion chips, while the backyard BBQ dog—topped with barbecue pulled pork and mac and cheese—was served with crispy onion rings.
One of the most adventurous hot dogs was a past trick-or-treat dog that wrapped a classic Disneyland churro around a crispy shell and topped it with marshmallows, bacon bits, and strawberry sauce.
Local flavors have also inspired some of the offerings, like the birria hot dog, which came with a side of consommé for dipping—a nod to Southern California’s love for the regional Mexican dish.
The Hot Dog Social Club
As these hot dogs have gained popularity, a group of die-hard fans has formed their own unofficial fan club. They’ve even given themselves a name: The Hot Dog Social Club. These regulars make a point to come in during the first week of each month to try the new hot dog and give their feedback directly to St. Pierre and his team.
Patrick O’Connor, a hot dog aficionado from Oceanside, has been sampling the hot dog of the month “religiously” since 2021. He estimates that he’s tried about 25 different dogs. While he isn’t an official member of the Hot Dog Social Club, O’Connor always visits with a group of friends to see what creative twist the chefs will come up with next.
His all-time favorite? The December 2021 tamale hot dog, which took inspiration from a classic Mexican tamale. O’Connor even expressed a hope for a vegetarian hot dog in the future.
Pushing Culinary Boundaries
According to St. Pierre, there’s no limit to what they might try for the hot dog of the month. While they sometimes need to rein in their ideas (some early drafts can have too many ingredients), the chefs have a lot of freedom to experiment. This creative process allows them to push boundaries and try things that wouldn’t typically make it onto a traditional theme park menu.
One particularly successful creation was a Lunar New Year hot dog topped with dan dan barbecue sauce and served in a bao bun—a combination that initially seemed outlandish but ended up being a fan favorite.
The Magic Behind the Menu
For St. Pierre, the hot dog of the month isn’t just about creating delicious food—it’s also about the creative process and the excitement that comes with developing something new each month. “I think even when we do push the envelope, it goes over well because we have a fan base that is looking for those dogs,” he said.
Even the most outlandish ideas, like the fever dog (a bacon-wrapped dog served in a fresh brioche bun), have their own unique appeal. It’s St. Pierre’s personal favorite: “I’d eat it up all day long,” he admits.
Where to Find It
If you’re intrigued and want to try one of these unique hot dogs, they’re available for lunch and dinner at both the GCH Craftsman Bar and the GCH Craftsman Grill at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Each hot dog of the month costs around $16 at the grill or $20 at the sit-down bar.
In the world of Disneyland food, there are plenty of standouts. But the hot dog of the month has managed to carve out a special place for itself, thanks to its inventive toppings, creative presentations, and the dedicated chefs behind it. It may be a simple hot dog, but in the hands of Disneyland’s culinary team, it has become something truly extraordinary.
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