I know….I went all the way to Iceland, and I had hot dogs. I couldn’t resist, and I don’t think you should either. Baejarins Beztu Pylsur is a national institution in Iceland, and it has to be a stop you make while in Reykjavik. Even former U.S. President Bill Clinton has been there. He’s got a hot dog named after him! By the way, don’t order your hot dog with just mustard like he did.

Hopefully, you won’t encounter a long line, which can form from out of nowhere. There’s only one picnic bench for seating, so be prepared to stand in the parking lot and eat.

I like that these hot dogs look deceptively simple.

While it may look like there’s very little going on with these hot dogs from the outside, just know that the “Everything” hot dog has a lot under the hood (or the dog?): Ketchup, remoladi (an Icelandic mayonaise-like sauce), sweet mustard, and both fried and raw onions.

Actually complicated

I say that this hot dog looks deceptively simple because until you bite into them, you don’t recognize the flavor complexity. There are savory and sweet notes mixing with smooth sauces and crunchy onions. Plus, there’s also a big, crisp, flavorful hot dog in the middle.  The hot dog actually includes lamb, which gives it a more flavorful meaty taste than just pork or beef dogs. This is the perfect late night snack, early lunch, lunch, dinner or whatever you meal you want it to be.

Also at  300 Kronas (around $2.50 USD based on the exchange rate), this is most likely going to be the cheapest meal you’ll eat in Iceland. The food prices there are a little scary, but that’s for another post…..

Do you like visiting local food “institutions” when traveling? Where has been your favorite? Do you have a favorite local place that you frequent in your hometown?

Baejarins Beztu Pylsur

Tryggvagata 101 @ the corner of Posthusstraeti

Reykjavik, Iceland 

Happy Weekend!