Review: The Howlin’ Hound, a hot dog joint near the city centre

Is it hotdog or hot dog? Merriam-Webster says “hot dog”.

Now that we have that investigation into the mystery of the English language, let’s have a caveat. This review of The Howlin’ Hound on East London Street is based on the venue’s first week.

I understand why any new bar-food location would want to open for the Christmas and New Year holidays, but any venue’s first week is tough with all those wrinkles to iron out. I enjoyed my trip to The Howlin’ Hound, but it took me several attempts to get in and for the kitchen to be running.

I will immediately call out ‘pay as you go’ as a welcome feature. You do this in pubs and bars; you pay when you order, but you don’t do it so often at sit-down restaurants where you’d get a bill at the end of your meal. The Howlin’ Hound is pay-as-you-go, so order your dogs and your drinks and pay straight away. I like it because it means there’s no awkward weighting for someone to come over and sort out the paperwork when you’ve finished and are ready to go.

Is there a downside to ‘pay as you go’? I guess it means groups need to make a call on how or who’ll pay upfront. Do people eat hot dogs for a first date? That might be an especially awkward conversation.

The Howlin’ Hound’s vibe

I like the space! I knew it best as Harmonium, which was a fantastic vegan restaurant. It’s a round space, right on the corner, and if you’re a people watcher, then you can see the wide street outside, and all sorts of people pass by.

Mansfield Traquair is right across the road, and I admit, I’ve been to dull corporate events that even the splendour of Mansfield Traquair didn’t save, and if the Howlin’ Hound had been across the road at the time, I would have fled across the roundabout and taken sanctuary inside at the bar.

The Howlin’ Hound is clean and spacious, with tables suitable for groups and couples. I went as a solo eater, and it was perfect for that. There’s table service here.

I can see myself coming here at lunch, for dinner, and also randomly after a trip into town. The Hound is about 10 minutes from the Edinburgh Playhouse and about 8 minutes from the end of York Place. I don’t think you’ll get drunks off the street; you’ll need to know the Howlin’ Hound was down Broughton Street, and typically, no drunk can make it past Cafe Piccante. Okay, The Howlin’ Hound is a pub that sells posh hot dogs and dazzling cocktails; there will be drunks, but not from the street.

The Howlin’ Hound’s food

Bonus! You make your own dog at the Hound. I was impressed.

Firstly, pick your bread from white petite pain, panini, granary roll, or French baguette, or go skinny/keto and pass on the bun.

I went for the baguette.

Next, pick your sausage from Scottish pork, zebra, wild boar, ostrich, Wagyu or vegan chorizo. I kid you not. I nearly had to ask, “Wait, is this really ostrich?”

I went for Wagyu, that famous Japanese beef, and it was my first time. I think there will be people who hate me making my first mouthful of Wagyu a hot dog.

You also get to add toppings as you want; caramelised onions, crispy onions, cheddar, mozzarella, sauerkraut or jalapenos.

I went for caramelised onions.

Admission time! I am rubbish with hot dogs. I have got an overbite, and the simple act of munching into a sausage in a bun and coming away with a mouthful is often beyond me. I often fail to cut and slide the meat from the bun with my teeth instead. That did not happen here.

The French baguette was appropriately fresh and soft, and the Wagyu lived up to its reputation.

It’s good nosh!

Next time, I am torn between the exotic meats or going with Scottish Pork but combining the latter with dramatic toppings such as jalapenos and lashing of mustard. It seems like a shame to do that to zebra or ostrich before I know the taste.

Drinks include temptations like Chocolate Old Fashioned, French Martini, and a frozen daiquiri of the week.

The Howlin’ Hound’s staff

Most of the conversations I’ve had with Hounds (can I call them that) as either been over social media (timely and polite responses) or apologetically at the door. It’s been a tough first week, and my view of the staff in that first week is they’re good with customers!

When I got in, the stars aligned, and the staff were just as switched on. I was seen quickly, it was friendly, it was clear and I felt at home.

It wasn’t busy when I popped in; I was there for either a very late lunch or an unwisely early dinner, so I didn’t turn up when everyone was busy trying to get orders out. However, solo eaters aren’t always the most welcome sight, but I felt no such eye-rolling as I walked in, dripping from the Edinburgh rain. I sensed that the staff are looking forward to finding out who their new regulars might be and putting such an exciting menu in front of people, and I wonder whether we’ll see social media coverage, too.

Things to do around Broughton Street

Okay, I think The Howlin’ Hound’s official address is East London Street, but it’s right on the corner of the more famous Broughton Street, meaning Princes Street is nearby.

The location puts The Howlin’ Hound out of sight of but only a few minutes walk from the Omni Centre, Fayre Play, Waverley Station, Christmas markets and an excellent ‘one-step-away’ from the crush of the festivals.

Alternatively, head down towards Canonmills and you’re approaching the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cannonmills and from there on to Stockbridge.

Overall

My visit was an early but successful test of The Howlin’ Hound. I liked the place because I found a new cocktail and hot dog joint, a pub, and a heady mix in a competitive part of town.

Despite being spoilt for choice, I’ll be back in 2024 to test the menu more thoroughly, with some fantastic venues just nearby.

The Howlin’ Hound feels like a good pub to meet friends, perhaps just off the train or out of the cinema, relax and impress simultaneously.