Dairy Queen Chili Cheese Dogs Review

There’s a story about how Art Elkind, a chemical engineer, sold hot dogs when unable to find work during the Great Depression. So he started selling hot dogs and chili from a pushcart until someone suggested he combine the two. And just like that, the Chili Dog was invented. Of course, this is just a story, and many hot dog vendors have disputed its validity. True or not, there’s no question that Americans love our chili cheese dogs. They’re a staple food item at family barbecues and sporting events. I can’t remember a time that I went to a baseball or basketball game and didn’t indulge in a chili dog or two. When we can find them at a fast-food restaurant, we must try it. 

History

Dairy Queen is one of the fast-food restaurants offering their version of the Chili Cheese Dog. Now, if you’re reading this and thinking, “I already ate one of these from DQ back in the day, and it was the worst hot dog I ever had!” then you’re not alone. A lot of us have been traumatized by Dairy Queen’s chili dog. But now is the time for redemption! If you can work up the nerve to try it again, you might have a different experience. The franchise has re-worked its recipe and come up with a more appealing chili dog option. But is it much better than before? Let’s find out.

Types of Chili Cheese Dogs

The Dairy Queen Chili Cheese dog can be ordered with or without the cheese. You could theoretically order it without chili too, but what’s the fun in that? You can also order the chili dog as a combo meal with fries and a drink, but the price is a bit steep for what it is.

Chili Cheese Dog Review

A chili cheese dog must have all of the best qualities they’re known for-  a fresh bun, a flavorful weiner, savory chili with spices and smokey flavors, seasonings, and melted shredded cheese. If any of these are missing, the experience isn’t the same. While Dairy Queen did improve on their previous chili dog recipe, this one still didn’t quite do it for me flavor-wise. 

1.      Taste and Texture [1/5]

The Chili Cheese Dog is bigger in size than it used to be, but the experience tends to vary by location. Sometimes it’s loaded with chili and cheese to the point of it oozing over the top. And sometimes, the chili is barely covering the weiner, and the cheese is not quite melted. The bun is about the same everywhere- not the best flavor, not the freshest, but not terrible. The chili is a bit better than it used to be, but there’s nothing particularly interesting about the taste. There’s not a lot of seasonings or flavor, so it’s a bit on the bland side. The weiner is not comparable to a backyard BBQ or sporting event. It tastes like low-grade meat (yes, lower than your typical weiner which is already questionable), and the taste is just okay.

2. Are they healthy? [1/5]

You’re probably not surprised to hear that the Chili Dog isn’t very nutritious, with saturated fat, sodium, and carbs. If we checked all the ingredients in the weiner itself, we might be horrified. Nothing about it is natural or nutritious at all. The ground beef in the chili isn’t the best for anyone with high cholesterol, and in general, if you’re on any dietary restrictions, you’ll probably want to skip it altogether. 

3. Are they Worth it? [1/5]

I prefer my chili to have a kick to it, some spice, and some marinated flavors. This chili misses the mark here. The cheese isn’t the best, and the overall flavor combination of all of the components makes this chili cheese dog just so-so. I know a few people who won’t even finish theirs. The price isn’t great, the flavors are nothing special, and it’s not even worth getting messy hands for. 

Final Verdict

Dairy Queen serves other items that are quite flavorful and enjoyable, but unfortunately, the Chili Cheese Dog still misses the mark. To be fair, I gave it another chance, but I’m still not a fan. I’d pass on future DQ Chili Dogs, and likely opt for their chicken strips with gravy or a Blizzard – the best thing DQ offers! 

Dairy Queen Chili Cheese Dog Nutrition Facts 

Serving Size 1 Chili Cheese Dog

• Calories 380
• Calories From Fat 220
• Total Fat 24g
• Saturated Fat 11.0 g
• Trans Fat 1.0 g  
• Cholesterol 55mg
• Sodium 900 mg
• Total Carbohydrates 23 g
• Dietary Fiber 1 g
• Sugars 3 g  
• Protein 16g

Dairy Queen Chili Cheese Dog Pricing 

The price is too high for what it is. If the chili and the weiner had some flavor depth, maybe the cost would be more acceptable, but I’m not a fan of paying extra for flavorless food. The combo meal is just under $5, but in my opinion, it’s still not worth it. Dairy Queen does offer some tasty eats from their $5 Buck Lunch Menu that would be much more worth your money. 

• Chili Cheese Dog – $2.49
  
• Chili Cheese Dog – Combo $4.69
• Deluxe Cheeseburger Lunch – $5.00
• Chicken Strip Lunch 3 Pc. – $5.00
• Crispy Chicken Wraps Lunch – $5.00
• KC BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Lunch – $5.00

What do you think?

Have you tried the Dairy Queen Chili Cheese Dog lately? What was your experience? How would you compare it to a chili dog from a sports stadium? Let us know in the comments below.