Ever had a Chicago-style hot dog? A new stand in downtown Bellingham is serving them up

A new restaurant has opened in downtown Bellingham, bringing Chicago-style hot dogs to The Granary Building.

Yacht Dogs, a hot dog stand, opened Friday, July 12. The new restaurant was started by Carly James, co-owner of Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress , who owns the stationary shop along with her husband, Kevin Nelson.

“Our new shop at The Granary has the best patio view in town. I thought a hot dog stand would be a great way to activate the space, engage park- and beach-goers, and bring a fun food option to The Granary,” James wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald.

All the restaurant’s hot dogs are made with local, natural, grass-fed beef franks and small-batch organic toppings and condiments, such as dill pickle spears, mustard, sport peppers and sweet onions.

“Yacht Dogs allows me to combine my passion for cooking good, simple food with my strength as a curator. I’ve gathered the most authentic ingredients for a Chicago-style hot dog that meet my standards as a conscientious eater. For example, we are using local natural grass-fed beef franks from Whidbey Island,” James said.

James says she hopes the stand will be like a beachside concession stand, also snacks such as popcorn, candy and beverages, and ties the concept to her roots.

“Yacht Dogs is meaningful because it connects me to my Midwestern roots. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, so a classic Chicago-style dog is near and dear to my heart,” James said.

The hot dog stand is located on the patio outside of Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress, and will be open rain or shine under its awning.

Yacht Dogs is open from noon to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday at 1207 Granary Avenue, Suite 160.