Bailey, Colorado: Hot-Dog-Shaped Diner

After you pass through Bailey, the hot dog diner is on your left. No advance warning, so be on the lookout. Excellent shakes and all kinds of dogs, including spicy elk dogs and brats. Every topping imaginable. Nice picnic tables near the river.

Coney Island Hot Dog owner Ron Aigner responded to a recent visitor tip criticism of the food service experience at the hot-dog shaped building he restored:

1) The flies are a limited seasonal nuisance -- a few weeks a year -- that they've taken steps to reduce with a sophisticated ventilation system (Keep in mind this is an outdoor restaurant). 2) As new owners of the Hot Dog and its operation, Ron admits some growing pains with early operations, but says he has a great service team now and the food is appreciated by patrons. 3) The service line can still get long on a very busy day. Coney Island Hot Dog is popular (as any wiener-shaped business should be!) and its design is from before crowd flow became a science. Ron says they continue to work to speed up and improve the experience...

I finally made it, along with the family to the Coney Island Hot Dog stand. The food was very good and it provided a great escape from 100 degree temperatures in Denver, CO.

The giant hot dog that once graced West Colfax in Denver and Highway 285 at Aspen Park near Conifer, is now at its new home at Bailey, has reopened! It opened its doors on July 4th, and that day sold hot dogs by the thousand. It is now on a new deck overlooking the river, its interior refurbished and restored with counter and corner booths, its bun having a new coat of stucco, and nearby tables for folks to eat outside.

There are little signs on the highway which will help point you to it, on the south bank of the river across a bridge with a couple other buildings not far west of Bailey. They sell hot dogs, ice cream, soft drinks and all else you've come to expect from this place.

Coney Island Hot Dog in Bailey, Colorado plans on opening its doors June 15, 2007. After waiting so long, the hot dog is finally getting to the point where it will open up.