Tuesday, May 9 marks the last scheduled Hatfield Phillies Dollar Dog Night for the 2023 season at Citizens Bank Park. While the nights have led to chaos so far this year — in addition to the extremely long lines, a fight over dollar dog food has caused some fans to be ejected — that doesn’t change the fact that three dollar dog nights are too few for a 162-game season.
Fear not, Phillies fans. Four bars came in to make them much more regular.
12 steps down
The Italian Market’s basement bar has plenty of Phillies fans. They gather there regularly, tracking the entire NL East standings and specifically the Phils’ performance. It follows that 12 steps embrace the crowd $1 hot dogs and $5 Victory Drafts during every Phillies game. The bar is open seven days a week until 2 a.m. and the kitchen is reliably open until midnight, meaning you can even enjoy a dollar dog during those late-night games on the West Coast. “You could make a 7-course meal out of it,” joked a bartender on a recent visit, adding that many weekend customers order a dog while waiting for a table at Fiorella, a block away. You are more likely to see the dogs coming out of the kitchen in pairs. Spend another $5 and get 12 Step’s hand-cut fries served with lemon aioli and addictive smoky ketchup. 831 Christian St., 215-238-0379, 12stepsdown.com
Jimmy’s Timeout Sports Pub
Just off I-95 on State Road, Jimmy’s Timeout looks a little quaint from the outside, but has a country club feel inside, with beautiful clapboard paneling and framed posters of past boxing matches. The $1 hot dogs and $3 Yuenglings at every Phillies game are a steal, but regular prices aren’t much higher: burgers and sandwiches (roast beef, roast pork, meatballs, crab cakes, etc.) go for $10 and under, fries and mozzarella are $5, regular pizzas are $10. When you factor in daily specials like $10 pitchers of beer and pie on Tuesdays and $3 drinks and wine during Power Hour — weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m. — and Jimmy’s Timeout might be the best deal in the city. 5001 Linden Ave., 267-538-6160, jimmystimeout.com
The real way
Okay, we admit it: The hotdogs here are $2 during Phillies home games (Dos Equis drafts for $3). To be fair, the dog comes dressed with pico de gallo and cheese sauce, accounting for the extra bucks. Top off your order with a $3 side — refried beans, guacamole, fries, jalapeño cornbread — or $5 barbecue-spiced chips and salsa, and you’ll still get an uncomfortably small check. El Camino serves up a standard dog for the specials, no better or worse than what you’d get at the ballpark. But the Tex-Mex bar sometimes makes its own hot dogs, found regularly at Le Caveau and sometimes through online retailer Small World Seafood. If you want to upgrade to a better brother right there, order the house-smoked sausage served with Texas toast and pickles. At $11 for ½ pound, it’s worth it. 1040 N. Second St., 215-925-1110, elcaminophilly.com
Doobies
Most people think of going to the long-running Grad Hospital dive bar for the impeccably curated jukebox, the David Bowie celebration, or the wide selection of craft beers. But starting Monday, May 8, it will be served $1 dogs and various $4 drafts during Monday home games for the rest of the season. Dress it up with ketchup, mustard, relish and red onion. Owner Patty Brett (a big Phillies fan herself) will also be offering a special on a shot and beetroot at a discount. 2201 Lombard St., 215-546-0316, instagram.com/doobies_bar