Fast food has changed radically in recent years. Nowadays, there are loads of gourmet hamburgers and pizzas, so why not try gourmet hot dogs? At El Cebollero, they take their hot dogs very seriously and by combining local ingredients and flavors, they create unique meals in Bogotá.
El Cebollero takes hot dogs to a whole new level by offering 15 different options inspired by Colombian ingredients and landscapes. Yes, you read correctly: Colombian landscapes! Each hot dog is crafted and named after a famous town.
The Food
They have a fair number of hot dogs, but if you want, you can modify them a little and create your own explosion of flavors.
Step one: pick a hot dog. El Cebollero offers sausages made from chicken, beef, and pork. They also have a vegetarian option made from lentils. Each one comes with a set of toppings that makes it absolutely unique.
Step two: choose from craft bread or arepas. If you want your hotdog to be a little more traditional, you can get it in craft bread, which is amazing. But, in case you are feeling more adventures and want to experiment a little more, you can get it with mini Colombian arepas and hogao (traditional homemade tomato and onion sauce).
Step three: choose your side. There are three options, papas criollas (small potatoes from Cundinamarca or Boyacá), arrachachas (national root vegetables somewhere between a carrot and a potato), and salad. Don’t worry, they are all great options!
Step four: pick your beverage. We Colombians are big on juices. On the menu are a number of options that combine Colombian fruits, like maracuya, mango, strawberry, and mandarin.
Step five: the sauces. By this point in your dining out experience, you will have probably noticed that six sauces have been sitting at your table ever since you got there. They have chipotle, mustard, chimichurri, pickled onions, pickled peppers, and pickled radishes. There you can add anywhere you want, and I highly recommend you try them all. They are AMAZING!!!
The Place
In the middle of trendy Chapinero at Calle 58 # 3a – 17 lies this gourmet hot dog venue. Easily accessible by car (you can park in front of the restaurant), on foot if you are in the neighborhood, or public transport that runs through Carrera 7.
Equipped with long wooden tables and benches, rustic-looking materials and random little details, this place is amazing for a relaxed dining experience. They have both an indoor area and a terrace with this boho-like vibe.
There is no need to make a reservation, but on weekends, the place can get a little packed for lunch. Meals cost around $20,000 COP (around $7 USD) and are worth every last penny!
My Recommendations
My personal favorite and the one I go for 9 out of 10 times is Playa Blanca (the one in the main photo). It’s beef sausage marinated in panela (sundried unrefined cane sugar) with costeño cheese.
They normally have monthly specials, so don’t forget to ask about them when you go.
You can order a mix of arracacha and papas criollas to go with your hotdog if you can´t decide and get both is worth it.
Last but not least, if you are up for other groovy ideas, take a look at A clandestine dinner or Bogotá’s best hidden BBQ. Also, for other restaurant reviews, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Degusta as Espacios y Sabores.
Go and try the gourmet and Colombian version of a hot dog in El Cebollero!!! I promise you would regret not going.
Bonus: They have a variety of craft beers that are really worth trying and they will guide you through the options if you wish.
Don’t forget to keep checking out the Colture page for future articles.
