Up Dog: A Savage Feast in Independence
The road to Independence, Missouri, stretches like a fever dream under the Midwest sun, a shimmering asphalt ribbon cutting through the heart of Truman’s old stomping grounds. I rolled into town with a head full of static and a hunger that clawed at my gut like a rabid coyote. The mission: Up Dog, a joint so brazen it dares to sling hot dogs and smashburgers in a world drowning in fast-food mediocrity. The address—114 N Liberty St—burned in my mind like a neon sign in a desert night. This wasn’t just lunch. This was a plunge into the wild, greasy soul of America.
Stepping into Up Dog is like mainlining 1950s nostalgia straight into your veins. Black-and-white checkered floors gleam under fluorescent lights, red vinyl booths scream of Elvis and drive-ins, and the jukebox hums with rock ‘n’ roll that makes your bones itch to dance. The air’s thick with the scent of sizzling beef and frying onions, a primal perfume that hits you harder than a double shot of bourbon at noon. The kids behind the counter—young, sharp, moving like they’re dodging bullets—take your order with a grin that says they know they’re serving something unholy and delicious.
The menu’s a love letter to excess, a carnival of hot dogs dressed up like they’re auditioning for a culinary circus. Chicago Dogs with their poppyseed buns and sport peppers, Detroit Dogs slathered in chili and mustard, New York Dogs with sauerkraut so tart it could make a grown man weep. But the smashburgers—oh, sweet chaos, the smashburgers. Thin, crispy-edged patties, dripping with juice, stacked with cheddar and bacon, served on buns so soft they’re practically a sin. I ordered the Missouri Dog, a beast piled with pickle, bacon, and cheddar, and a smashburger combo with tots that crunched like the sound of victory. The first bite hit like a thunderbolt, flavors exploding in a symphony of salt, fat, and heat. The dog was plump, the bacon crisp, the pickle a sour jab that kept it all honest. The burger? A greasy revelation, each bite a reminder that sometimes the best things in life leave your fingers slick and your heart pounding.
The place hums with life—locals jawing over Cokes, tourists snapping pics of the retro decor, kids giggling as they munch on mini corn dogs. The staff, despite the lunch rush, move with the precision of a pit crew, slinging plates and cracking jokes. You can feel the pride here, the kind that comes from knowing you’re not just feeding people but giving them a moment to savor. The prices? Cheap enough to keep your wallet happy, with dogs starting at a few bucks and combos that won’t make you flinch. My meal, a king’s ransom of flavor, set me back less than a twenty, tip included.
Up Dog sits on Independence Square, a stone’s throw from the Truman Library, where history whispers in the brick and cobblestone. This ain’t just a hot dog shack; it’s a beacon of joy in a world that’s forgotten how to have fun. The vibe’s so infectious you’ll want to linger, sipping a fountain Coke, soaking in the chatter and the clatter of the grill. It’s the kind of place that makes you believe in the American Dream again, or at least in the dream of a perfect lunch.
I left Up Dog with a full belly and a grin that wouldn’t quit, the taste of that smashburger lingering like a good riff in a rock song. If you’re ever in Independence, do yourself a favor: find this joint, order big, and let the madness of Up Dog wash over you. It’s not just food—it’s a wild, beautiful ride, and you’ll want to take it again and again.
Tiffany Stephenson
Best chili cheese tots!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lance Pryor
Hidden Gem! ??? You guys have to go get the new Smash Burgers! ? I got the Missouri and I highly recommend it ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 2 Hot Dog, Missouri Smash Burger
Susan Hodges
took a looooooong time to get 2 hotdogs :( but still good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries, Detroit Dog
kenneth OConnor
Great place. Great staff. Clean friendly atmosphere. Prices are good. The food is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Onion Rings, Chili Cheese Dog, Fries, 2 Hot Dog
Ashley Bytheway
This is a hidden gem. The service was ridiculously friendly- an employee saw me looking for a packet of mayo. (they were out). He asked if he could help me, stopped what he was doing and went into the back and get me one. Our food came quickly and was hot and fresh! My husband and I had a couple burgers which we loved. The buns were toasted, the beef was juicy, well-seasoned and the toppings were inventive and delicious. We were surprised how good it was. The cheese fries were also unique and fresh. We will be back for sure and we told our whole tour group!! Thanks UpDog!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Fries, Burger
Chris Meller
I'm really not a hot dog guy but they probably have the best damn chili dog in town! The old 50s style atmosphere is pretty cool too
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Karen Fox
Fun place but very expensive and some of the combos are cheaper if you buy them separately
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Marc Gregory
We were in the neighborhood to visit a store nearby. We decided to stop in for lunch. I thoroughly enjoyed my burger. It was so tasty! My family was worried about the prices, and I'll be honest, they do seem high at first. Once you compare them to larger chain locations, I'd rather support local as there is not a huge difference between the two in price.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Dog, Onion Rings
Levi Jiron
The food was delicious, and the service was great. Our party of 3 was treated well by the staff, making it worth the price. The place was clean, and the 50s diner style was well presented. Note that they close at 4 PM on Saturdays.
Good food and staff was friendly and patient as it was our first time there
Kid-friendliness: My tweens enjoyed the retro style of the place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries, Hot Dog, Onion Rings
TAR TAR
Note on door said it open, but was not... drove 30 miles and it was a real dog! No one was there
trojangirl246
I was just here, leaving now, a Wednesday. The website and all signs on the doors say they open at 11 am. It was 11:35 am, so they should have been open but they weren't. Extremely disappointed, since we don't live in the area and decided to have lunch there since we were in the area today. Every single time we are up here, they're always closed, but still saying they are still in business.
Indigo Berkley
Wasn't open during the hours they had posted on their entrance.
Emily Warner
Wasn't open during the hours they had posted on their entrance.
Up Dog: A Savage Feast in Independence The road to Independence, Missouri, stretches like a fever dream under the Midwest sun, a shimmering asphalt ribbon cutting through the heart of Truman’s old stomping grounds. I rolled into town with a head full of static and a hunger that clawed at my gut like a rabid coyote. The mission: Up Dog, a joint so brazen it dares to sling hot dogs and smashburgers in a world drowning in fast-food mediocrity. The address—114 N Liberty St—burned in my mind like a neon sign in a desert night. This wasn’t just lunch. This was a plunge into the wild, greasy soul of America. Stepping into Up Dog is like mainlining 1950s nostalgia straight into your veins. Black-and-white checkered floors gleam under fluorescent lights, red vinyl booths scream of Elvis and drive-ins, and the jukebox hums with rock ‘n’ roll that makes your bones itch to dance. The air’s thick with the scent of sizzling beef and frying onions, a primal perfume that hits you harder than a double shot of bourbon at noon. The kids behind the counter—young, sharp, moving like they’re dodging bullets—take your order with a grin that says they know they’re serving something unholy and delicious. The menu’s a love letter to excess, a carnival of hot dogs dressed up like they’re auditioning for a culinary circus. Chicago Dogs with their poppyseed buns and sport peppers, Detroit Dogs slathered in chili and mustard, New York Dogs with sauerkraut so tart it could make a grown man weep. But the smashburgers—oh, sweet chaos, the smashburgers. Thin, crispy-edged patties, dripping with juice, stacked with cheddar and bacon, served on buns so soft they’re practically a sin. I ordered the Missouri Dog, a beast piled with pickle, bacon, and cheddar, and a smashburger combo with tots that crunched like the sound of victory. The first bite hit like a thunderbolt, flavors exploding in a symphony of salt, fat, and heat. The dog was plump, the bacon crisp, the pickle a sour jab that kept it all honest. The burger? A greasy revelation, each bite a reminder that sometimes the best things in life leave your fingers slick and your heart pounding. The place hums with life—locals jawing over Cokes, tourists snapping pics of the retro decor, kids giggling as they munch on mini corn dogs. The staff, despite the lunch rush, move with the precision of a pit crew, slinging plates and cracking jokes. You can feel the pride here, the kind that comes from knowing you’re not just feeding people but giving them a moment to savor. The prices? Cheap enough to keep your wallet happy, with dogs starting at a few bucks and combos that won’t make you flinch. My meal, a king’s ransom of flavor, set me back less than a twenty, tip included. Up Dog sits on Independence Square, a stone’s throw from the Truman Library, where history whispers in the brick and cobblestone. This ain’t just a hot dog shack; it’s a beacon of joy in a world that’s forgotten how to have fun. The vibe’s so infectious you’ll want to linger, sipping a fountain Coke, soaking in the chatter and the clatter of the grill. It’s the kind of place that makes you believe in the American Dream again, or at least in the dream of a perfect lunch. I left Up Dog with a full belly and a grin that wouldn’t quit, the taste of that smashburger lingering like a good riff in a rock song. If you’re ever in Independence, do yourself a favor: find this joint, order big, and let the madness of Up Dog wash over you. It’s not just food—it’s a wild, beautiful ride, and you’ll want to take it again and again.
Best chili cheese tots!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hidden Gem! ??? You guys have to go get the new Smash Burgers! ? I got the Missouri and I highly recommend it ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 2 Hot Dog, Missouri Smash Burger
took a looooooong time to get 2 hotdogs :( but still good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries, Detroit Dog
Great place. Great staff. Clean friendly atmosphere. Prices are good. The food is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Onion Rings, Chili Cheese Dog, Fries, 2 Hot Dog
This is a hidden gem. The service was ridiculously friendly- an employee saw me looking for a packet of mayo. (they were out). He asked if he could help me, stopped what he was doing and went into the back and get me one. Our food came quickly and was hot and fresh! My husband and I had a couple burgers which we loved. The buns were toasted, the beef was juicy, well-seasoned and the toppings were inventive and delicious. We were surprised how good it was. The cheese fries were also unique and fresh. We will be back for sure and we told our whole tour group!! Thanks UpDog!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Fries, Burger
I'm really not a hot dog guy but they probably have the best damn chili dog in town! The old 50s style atmosphere is pretty cool too
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fun place but very expensive and some of the combos are cheaper if you buy them separately
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
We were in the neighborhood to visit a store nearby. We decided to stop in for lunch. I thoroughly enjoyed my burger. It was so tasty! My family was worried about the prices, and I'll be honest, they do seem high at first. Once you compare them to larger chain locations, I'd rather support local as there is not a huge difference between the two in price.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Dog, Onion Rings
The food was delicious, and the service was great. Our party of 3 was treated well by the staff, making it worth the price. The place was clean, and the 50s diner style was well presented. Note that they close at 4 PM on Saturdays.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Good food and staff was friendly and patient as it was our first time there
Kid-friendliness: My tweens enjoyed the retro style of the place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries, Hot Dog, Onion Rings
Note on door said it open, but was not... drove 30 miles and it was a real dog! No one was there
I was just here, leaving now, a Wednesday. The website and all signs on the doors say they open at 11 am. It was 11:35 am, so they should have been open but they weren't. Extremely disappointed, since we don't live in the area and decided to have lunch there since we were in the area today. Every single time we are up here, they're always closed, but still saying they are still in business.
Wasn't open during the hours they had posted on their entrance.
Wasn't open during the hours they had posted on their entrance.
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