Up Dog, located at 114 N Liberty St in Independence, MO, is a delightful hot dog restaurant that has been charming locals since 2011. It’s a hidden gem on the Independence Square, celebrated for its diverse menu that features an array of hot dogs and burgers, all crafted with attention to detail.
The restaurant exudes a nostalgic diner vibe, complete with barstools and friendly staff. Customers consistently rave about their experiences; Randy Cooke emphasizes the cleanliness and warmth of the service, while NV Frrksen appreciates the plethora of menu options, including both hot dogs and chicken strips.
A standout among the patrons is the Chicago Hot Dog, as noted by many, including Kyle Dunn, who highlights the meal's impeccable presentation and the staff’s welcoming demeanor. Brad Smith affirms that Up Dog is his favorite spot, applauding its dedication to putting hot dogs front and center alongside top-tier burgers.
For those visiting Kansas City, christopher fryar recommends making a stop at Up Dog, praising its family-friendly atmosphere and the local Polly’s soda. With scrumptious offerings and a vibrant setting, Up Dog serves as the perfect locale for lunch, encapsulating the essence of comfort food in a retro, engaging environment.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Quick bite
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Popular with university students
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Photos
Reviews For Up Dog
Randy Cooke
Jul 2,2025
Even though it’s been around since 2011, Up Dog is a hidden gem located on the square in Independence, MO. From stepping foot in the door, you can’t go wrong. Wide variety of different styles of Hot Dogs & Burgers. I went with the classic Chicago Hot Dog. Staff was VERY friendly, and when they weren’t slinging hotdogs on the grill, they were keeping everything spotless. Definitely worth returning!
NV Frrksen
Jun 24,2025
Super fun & nostalgic diner. Hot dogs and chicken strips serve as the base of the fare. Lots of options to choose from.
Kyle Dunn
Jun 19,2025
Nicole made my experience more than worth it. From the beautiful presentation of my food to the polite and well spoken conversation we had. She represents the square well. Thanks for the awesome chi dog kid!
Brad Smith
May 19,2025
THIS is my favorite restaurant. Got to love a place that puts hotdogs front and center on their menu, also their burgers are top-tier! Some of the best in the whole metro! Perfect spot on the Independence Square for lunch, with its retro diner vibes and barstools. My go-to lunch spot.
christopher fryar
May 2,2025
Everytime I make it to KC I try to eat here at least once. Food is great. The kids love it. Plus they have Polly's soda that's made and bottled locally.
Michael W
Mar 28,2025
Awesome little retro diner atmosphere. Menu on board in store is not updated. They just added smash burgers so I’m excited to try that next visit. The hot dogs are Nathan’s all beef thick dogs and taste great. My favorite is the chili cheese dog with seasoned fries. The only thing we were not a huge fan of was the chicken strips. They had a very lemony taste with whatever they sprinkle on them. Everything else was great.
Stephen Hall
Mar 21,2025
Really awesome hot dog and great service and atmosphere
Marc Gregory
Mar 13,2025
We were in the neighborhood to visit a store nearby. We decided to stop in for lunch. I thoroughly enjoyed my burger. It was so tasty! My family was worried about the prices, and I'll be honest, they do seem high at first. Once you compare them to larger chain locations, I'd rather support local as there is not a huge difference between the two in price.
Reviews For Up Dog