If you don’t like hot dogs, you’re in the minority. The simple combination of sausage and bun is loved by more than 90 percent of Americans, according to US Foods.
There are plenty of different ways to enjoy a hot dog. Chicago-style, of course, is one of the most popular, featuring yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, and celery salt. It’s typically made with a beef hot dog—but it doesn’t have to be.
At Nah Dogs, Chicago dogs come with all the same beloved toppings, as well as the classic soft poppy seed bun. But instead of beef, they’re made with Loma Linda’s Big Frank Vegan Hot Dogs.
Founded by Jeff and Jenny Howe, Nah Dogs is the first all-vegan hot dog shop in St. Petersburg, FL. Before moving into the new intimate, 500-square-foot spot on 22nd Street South, the Howes started their vegan venture as a Tampa Bay area food cart in 2019.
Nah Dogs
At first, the options were pretty simple. The cart served chili, sausages, and hot dogs with toppings such as vegan cheese sauce, jalapeños, salsa, and tortilla chips. “I think this town is progressing more towards a vegan and vegetarian lifestyle,” Jenny told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “So it seemed like a good time to finally do it.”
Jenny’s instincts were spot on. More than 30,000 vegan hot dogs later, Nah Dogs has built a loyal following of fans. And it was those fans who encouraged the Howes to take the next step with their new brick-and-mortar.
Jenny told St. Pete Rising in March 2026 that while they were running their hot dog cart, customers consistently asked when they would be opening a restaurant. “We decided it was time to give it a shot,” said Jenny.
Nah Dogs
What’s on the menu at Nah Dogs?
If Chicago isn’t your style, Nah Dogs has plenty of other options on the menu, most of which are made with Big Franks. It makes sense; the canned vegan hot dogs are a firm favorite in the plant-based community, thanks to their juicy, tender texture and meaty flavor.
There’s the Frito Pie Dog, which layers a Loma Linda frank with nacho cheese, chili, and, of course, a generous helping of Fritos, as well as the Civilian, which comes with a classic combination of relish, mustard, raw onions, and ketchup.
On top of the regular offerings, Nah Dogs also has a range of specials. At the time of writing, it’s slinging a Wedge Salad Dog, complete with blue cheese dressing, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, bacon, and blue cheese crumbles.
Previous specials include the Brat Outta Hell, which swapped the classic Loma Linda frank for a Beyond brat and combined it with cream cheese, sweet and hot pepper relish, and fried jalapeños, and the La Perrada, a Colombian-inspired creation featuring pineapple sauce, pink sauce, garlic mayonnaise, and crushed potato chips.
Nah Dogs also serves up pickle dips, Coke slushies, beer, and wine. It’s now open at 18, 22nd Street South in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
Dining and Cooking