Let's Do Lunch: Skin Thrasher's Hot Dogs

Photo by File photo

Skins' Hot Dogs

Photo by File photo

Skins' Hot Dogs

All too often, we don’t go somewhere new or different because we don’t know what to expect. That is where this new feature, “Let’s Do Lunch,” comes in. Each week, we will highlight a different spot for lunch that you can try. We will tell you about prices, atmosphere and anything else you need to know before showing up and chowing down.

And if you have a place we should go, don’t hesitate to drop a line. It’s always lunchtime around here.

Skin Thrashers Hot Dogs

203 Hudgens St., Anderson; 864.225.9229

3420 Clemson Blvd., Anderson; 864.226.4588

937 U.S. 29 South, Anderson; 864.231.0370

3720 S.C. 81 North, Anderson; 864.716.0344

Other locations in Clemson, Seneca, Easley, Mauldin and Greenville

Few other restaurants in Anderson are considered landmarks the way Skin Thrashers Hot Dogs is in the Electric City. It’s so popular that it transcends Anderson and has branched out to five other cities since it opened in the 1946. Since then, Skins has been a favorite of locals and tourists as well as featured on television and in national print publications.

The thing about Skins, however, is that for more than 60 years, little has changed about the menu and way they prepare their famous hot dogs.

The Hudgens Street location is easily the most popular and the first Skins anyone who has never been should go first. Hudgens is the original location, though restaurants on Clemson Blvd., U.S. 29 South and S.C. 81 North are indeed hotspots during any weekday lunch hour and beyond.

First, make sure you are prepared when heading to any Skins Hot Dogs location. They churn out hundreds of hot dogs each and every day and don’t have time for any kind of hemming and hawing. The basic order for any dog is going to be all the way. That’s a hot dog with chili, mustard and onions. If you want a dog without any of these or adding anything else, you better know before going in and be ready to order them.

You should also know they offer other toppings for the dogs including ketchup, hot sauce and mayo. Do not, under any circumstances, order relish. It’s kinda like putting steak sauce on a filet mignon — it simply isn’t done.

If you are going to order chips, slaw or pickles as a side or a drink like soda or sweet tea, do it when you pay for your order. Otherwise, make sure you order enough hot dogs to satisfy your craving plus a little more. And they also offer desserts for those with a sweet tooth.

Skins hot dogs are a cheap way to get a quick meal too. They are only around a buck a piece, and they have specials all the time when buying multiple dogs or lunch and dinner for the whole family. Plus, as speedy as the folks there are, you will likely get your food and finish in less time than you waited in line. That’s because it’s a pretty popular place around lunch time and everyone has to be patient for a bite of history.