Food trends come and go, but hot dogs are forever.
Mel’s Hot Dogs opened around the corner from Busch Gardens during the free-loving 1970s, and survived the diet fads of Atkins, Weight Watchers, Paleo, Keto and countless movements that discourage ultra-processed meat tubes between white bread. And it’ll inevitably survive MAHA and the GLP-1 epidemic.
The Tampa hot dog shop was one of the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame’s first inductees in 2006, and now its new owners—The Szabo family as of 2023—want to celebrate two decades of all-beef doggin’ on Memorial Day.
Everyone who shows up between noon and 5 p.m. on Monday gets a free prize worth up to $20, and purchases of a dog or a sandwich come with raffle tickets for thousands in prizes.
The event also includes free vendor samples of food, drinks and beer, as well as a face painter and dunk tank (hopefully not filled with hot dog water).
While Portillo’s tests out shablams for kids and the new Sapphire Lounge sells wagyu glizzies, Tampa’s hot dog OG has started biweekly game nights.
The longtime “Best of the Bay” champ hosts bingo every second Tuesday and trivia every fourth Tuesday. Players can get a free game card with a purchase of a basket or kids meal, and prizes are awarded after every game.
Mel’s Hot Dog’s Vienna Beef Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary
Time Mon., May 25, 12-5 p.m.
Location Mel’s Hot Dogs, 4136 E Busch Blvd., Tampa
This article appears in May 07 – 13, 2026.