Quick Recipe Overview

• Best For: Game days, backyard cookouts, casual barbecue nights
• Flavor Profile: Smoky, sweet, tangy with crunchy contrast
• Skill Level: Easy – quick fry and assemble
• What Makes It Like the Restaurant: Flash-fried franks and generous layers of sauce, slaw and pork crispins

Eli’s BBQ

Eli’s BBQ started as a small roadside stand and quickly became one of Cincinnati’s most popular barbecue destinations. Known for long weekend lines, steady local loyalty and a no-frills focus on smoked meats, the restaurant built a strong following across the city.

From Riverside to Findlay Market, Eli’s has become part of the Cincinnati food scene. The All-Beef Dogs reflect that identity – simple ingredients pushed to maximum flavor, served fast and without apology.

A Cincinnati Barbecue Dog Done Right

Barbecue hot dogs take the traditional ballpark staple and push it into Southern territory.

Smoking or flash frying the franks deepens flavor and adds snap, while barbecue sauce brings sweetness and tang. Adding coleslaw introduces cool crunch, a common pairing in Southern barbecue sandwiches. Pork crispins add texture and extra savory bite.

In regional barbecue spots like those in Cincinnati, this style of loaded dog becomes a full meal, not just a side.

Related Copycat Recipes

• A&W Chili Dog – Old-school chili dog with savory sauce, soft bun, and pure nostalgia
• Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit Barbecue Ribs – Slow-cooked ribs with deep smoke flavor, sticky sauce, and fall-off-the-bone tenderness.
• California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza – Smoky barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and melty cheese on a crisp crust

Questions People Ask

What are pork crispins? Pork crispins are crunchy fried pork skins that add salty texture and contrast to soft buns and slaw.

Why flash fry the hot dogs? Flash frying tightens the casing and gives the franks extra snap while warming them through quickly.

Can I grill instead of fry? Yes. Grilling works well, but frying delivers a closer texture to the restaurant style.

What type of bun works best? A soft standard hot dog bun holds toppings without overpowering the smoky franks.

Eli’s BBQ Creamy Southern Cole Slaw

Eli’s BBQ Creamy Southern Cole Slaw delivers cool, creamy crunch that perfectly balances smoky barbecue.

Make this Cincinnati barbecue favorite at home for the ultimate pulled pork side.

Make Eli’s BBQ Creamy Southern Cole Slaw at Home

Classic American Diner-Style Coleslaw

Classic American Diner-Style Coleslaw features finely shredded cabbage and carrots coated in a creamy, lightly tangy dressing served as a familiar side with diner favorites.

Make Classic American Diner-Style Coleslaw at home and recreate the cool, crunchy side found on classic diner plates.

Make Classic American Diner-Style Coleslaw at Home

Golden Corral Coleslaw

Golden Corral Coleslaw combines finely shredded cabbage and carrots in a creamy, lightly sweet dressing.

Make this buffet-style classic at home for potlucks, cookouts or everyday dinners.

Make Golden Corral Coleslaw at Home

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse’s Barbecue Shrimp Orleans

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse’s Barbecue Shrimp Orleans is all about the butter.

This is that signature New Orleans-style “barbecue” treatment – big shrimp cooked in a rich, spiced butter sauce with deep savory flavor and just enough heat to keep you coming back.

Click HERE Now to Make Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse’s Barbecue Shrimp Orleans at Home

Virgil’s Real Barbecue Memphis Style Pork Spare Ribs

Virgil’s Real Barbecue Memphis Style Pork Spare Ribs feature a bold dry rub and slow hickory smoke for classic Southern barbecue flavor.

Bring these restaurant-style ribs to your smoker for tender meat and deep, smoky crust.

Make Virgil’s Real Barbecue Memphis Style Pork Spare Ribs at Home

Photo of “Eli’s BBQ (Barbeque): Keep Coming Back for More!” is by oomni and is used by permission under the Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic Creative Commons License. Read the Full License Here – PPPPP-5legalcode.en. Thank you, oomni. Great Picture. Photos may be representative of the recipe and not the actual finished dish. All photo licenses listed were correct at the time of the posting of the page. Recipe is original to Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes. Recipe created by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes based on information from the restaurant and other sources on the internet – many courtesy of the Wayback Machine. Additional Information is from original research done by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes and/or courtesy of Wikipedia and is used by permission.