The Scoop: Since its opening in 2011, Dat Dog has made mouths water with its classic American grub, most notably its hot dogs and hamburgers. This casual eatery has three locations in New Orleans and has hosted many memorable moments, including date nights and family meals. To top things off, Dat Dog has catering services and private event rooms available for people who are celebrating a special occasion or relationship milestone. Dat Dog has what it takes to satisfy big appetites without busting a couple’s budget, so it’s become a popular option for low-key birthdays, anniversaries, and wedding rehearsal dinners.
Constantine Georges and Skip Murray teamed up in April 2011 to launch Dat Dog. They started with a humble hot dog stand, and word quickly spread about their tasty hot dogs and hamburgers.
The Dat Dog team has a passion for everything that comes between a bun. Over the last decade, this restaurant brand has grown by focusing on flavor and fun. Today, it has three restaurant locations in vibrant NOLA neighborhoods.
Dat Dog is a popular casual eatery serving hot dogs in New Orleans.
Each Dat Dog location offers a memorable space with a unique personality. The eatery also makes a point to keep rooms and courtyards available for private event reservations. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor celebration, a balcony party, or something more intimate, the event coordinators can work with you to make sure things go according to plan.
Dat Dog has a range of banquet and bar packages to suit different sized events and accommodate groups on a budget. Plus, the menu can be modified to meet the dietary needs of everyone, including vegan guests.
The buffet-style events can be a lively attraction for couples celebrating a special occasion, a holiday, or a relationship milestone. It isn’t unusual to see engaged couples hosting their loved ones at Dat Dog’s private rooms or requesting a catered menu for an event.
“Dat Dog has the perfect ambience for a celebration. It’s colorful and casual with lots of room to have fun,” said Laurie Fisher, who is the restaurant’s Director of Marketing.
Dat Dog events are booked on a first come, first served basis, so couples should call at least a few weeks in advance to reserve a space for their next big shindig.
A Fun-Loving Place to Gather With Loved Ones
The Dat Dog team prides itself on offering fun in a bun, so the restaurant is a good fit for private parties and family celebrations. The menu packs a punch of nostalgia with a NOLA twist, and people can enjoy eating freshly made dogs and burgers with their hands.
Events at Dat Dog aren’t pretentious or stuffy. They’re all about good food and good company at a colorful, laid-back venue.
When it comes to catering private events, Dat Dog can host people at its neighborhood locations, or it can mobilize its grill team and meet customers at offsite events. For instance, if you’ve got a hankering for hot dogs at your outdoor wedding reception, you can make arrangements with the staff to be on call for your guests for a set period of time. The grilling team will bring a tent in case of adverse weather conditions.
The Dat Dog on Frenchmen Street can host fun parties on its wrap-around balcony.
If you want Dat Dog to be the venue for your event, you have some good options available. The flagship location at 5030 Freret Street is close to Tulane and Loyola University and has a spacious courtyard where event attendees can gather. The courtyard is covered, and a movie projector can be set up to show the group’s favorite film or some home movies that celebrate special memories and relationships.
Event organizers can call 504-899-6883 to make a reservation, or email details about their event needs to gm_dd01@datdog.com.
The Dat Dog location on Magazine Street is smack dab in the Irish Channel neighborhood, and it has some gorgeous views to set the stage for a fun night. Its large courtyard lights up beautifully in the evening, and it also has a private room upstairs for smaller groups. This space could be the perfect place to watch the Irish Channel Parade in March or set up a romantic anniversary celebration. Call 504-418-5456 or email gm_dd02@datdog.com to make a reservation here.
Last but not least, the Dat Dog on Frenchmen Street has a highly sought-after event space with a private balcony overlooking the street. Couples can sit on this famous balcony and take in the bustling activity of the Marigny neighborhood. During the spring, they may even bring some Mardi Gras beads to celebrate the season with a time-honored tradition.
Beyond the balcony, the second floor room is an out-of-this-world space known as the official hangout for the Krewe of Chewbacchus, a 900-member Mardi Gras Parade group. The room features a large “Sacred Drunken Wookiee” and other Star Wars decor. Reservation spots tend to fill up fast here, so call 504-309-3362 to make your reservation as soon as possible. You can also email gm_dd03@datdog.com to correspond about an upcoming event.
Affordable Buffet & Bar Packages for Large Groups
When Dat Dog hosts an event, the team goes all out to ensure people leave well-fed. Its buffet-style banquets are ideal for large groups celebrating holidays, birthdays, or relationship milestones. It could even be a fun option for a rehearsal dinner on a budget.
The Banquet Packages range in price from $12.50 to $20 per person, depending on how much food people want to share. The limited package offers one dog per person plus large servings of seasoned fries and tots for the table. Fountain drinks also come included.
The unlimited package is an all-you-can-eat setup where guests can fill up with hot dogs, fries, and tots for two hours.
The standard toppings for the Banquet Package are chili, cheddar cheese, onions, tomatoes, dill relish, sauerkraut, jalapeños, ketchup, mustard, and Creole mustard. You can request other favorite toppings, if desired. You can also choose up to four protein options — vegan options are available — and have the dogs cut into halves or thirds, so guests can try multiple types.
The catering menu includes several types of hot dog protein and topping options.
Dat Dog has three types of bar packages: a Well Package, a Premium Package, and a Drink Ticket Package.
Dat Dog’s wells are well-known throughout New Orleans. Its event bar includes a variety of draft beers, packaged beers, whiskeys, vodkas, rums, and cordials. The Well Package costs $30 per person for a two-hour event and $40 per person for a three-hour event.
The Premium Package is a little pricier — it starts at $40 per person for a two-hour event — but event attendees get more options behind the bar. It includes all of the draft beers, package beers, whiskey, Scotch whisky, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, cordials, and wine available at the Dat Dog bar. Nothing is left off the table, so people can get their drink on without missing a beat.
The Drink Ticket Package is a bit more selective with its options. It is the most affordable option at $10 per person, and it offers two drink tickets to each attendee. A ticket is good for a draft PBR, an Abita Amber, or a well drink. Two drink tickets can be exchanged for a can or wine or single serving of Ruffino Prosecco.
Event organizers should note that the bar list is constantly changing to meet demand. It’s a good idea to check in with the Dat Dog team to see which drinks will be available for an upcoming event.
Dat Dog Brings Mouthwatering Food to Private Events
Vegans, vegetarians, carnivores, and everyone in between can relish eating at Dat Dog. The New Orleans hot dog stand has come a long way over the last decade, but its commitment to sharing good food with good people has not changed one bit.
Dat Dog’s catering service can liven up a special event with soulful food and cold drinks. Because who doesn’t love a hot dog buffet? Dat Dog events embody the heart of the NOLA spirit. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get together in a post-COVID world and celebrate the relationships that mean the most.
From alligator sausage to traditional Vienna beef, the Dat Dog menu has a lot of delicious options to tantalize the taste buds and make people come back for seconds.
“Our happiness has spread to several more locations in New Orleans and elsewhere with beautiful balconies and sun-splashed beer gardens to enjoy one of our handcrafted beers or cocktails,” said the Dat Dog team. “So come, chill out and embrace your bliss! “
