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Yellow Jacket Hot Dogs
Step back in time with a hot dog, fries, and a little Georgia restaurant history at Yellow Jacket Hot Dogs in Ellenwood. A Henry County staple since 1992, this casual counter-service spot serves the kind of classic American drive-in fare that never goes out of style. Hot dogs piled with chili, cheese, slaw, and other toppings share the menu with burgers, chicken sandwiches, patty melts, onion rings, and homemade fried pies. With its nostalgic atmosphere and connection to an iconic piece of Atlanta dining history, Yellow Jacket Hot Dogs is as much about the experience as it is the food.
MUST-TRY MENU ITEMS
- Chili Dog – A classic hot dog on a toasted bun topped with hearty chili for an old-school drive-in favorite.
- Slaw Dog – Cool, creamy slaw adds a Southern touch to the traditional hot dog.
- Loaded Hot Dog – Customize your dog with toppings including chili, cheese, slaw, sauerkraut, relish, and jalapeños.
- Buzz’s Combos – Turn your hot dog or other favorite into a complete meal with a side and drink.
- Cheeseburger – Hot dogs may get top billing, but the grill also turns out classic hamburgers and cheeseburgers.
- Patty Melt – A diner favorite and another fitting choice for the restaurant’s nostalgic atmosphere.
- Onion Rings – Crispy rings make a worthy alternative to traditional fries alongside your hot dog or burger.
- Homemade Fried Pies – Save room for one of Yellow Jacket’s must-try desserts and finish your drive-in meal with something sweet.
GOOD TO KNOW
- The restaurant offers casual counter service.
- Hot dogs are made with Bryan chicken and pork dogs served on toasted buns.
- Toppings include chili, cheese, slaw, sauerkraut, relish, and jalapeños.
- The menu goes beyond hot dogs with hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, BLTs, grilled cheese, patty melts, and corn dogs.
- Sides include French fries, home fries, onion rings, slaw, pickles, and more.
- Desserts include homemade fried pies, ice cream, and cheesecake.
- The casual, quick-service setup makes it an easy stop between Henry County activities.
DID YOU KNOW?
Yellow Jacket Hot Dogs’ story connects to one of Atlanta’s most famous restaurants. The Ellenwood restaurant, established in 1992, was inspired by Atlanta’s original Yellow Jacket Drive-In.
That restaurant was founded in 1928 by Georgia Tech student Frank Gordy and took its name from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. After the restaurant eventually moved to a larger location, it received a new name that Georgians know very well today: The Varsity.
Yellow Jacket Hot Dogs keeps a piece of that history alive in Henry County through its name, nostalgic drive-in fare, and nods to Buzz and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
INSIDER TIP
Don’t let the name convince you to skip dessert. After a chili or slaw dog and an order of fries, save room for one of the homemade fried pies. They’re an appropriately old-fashioned ending to a meal at a restaurant built around drive-in nostalgia.