The Funhole

I stumbled on these guys the other day and tried a dog for lunch. I was pleased to see that everything could be made with a veggie dog. I tried the Italian veggie dog and it was quite good. The bun was nicely toasted. I wish though that the toppings would have been a little more plentiful. I went home and added a bunch of my own stone ground mustard and the dog was greatly improved. Also, the guy making my dog didn’t know what toppings went on each of the dogs and had to ask me multiple times which I had ordered. Perhaps a cheat sheet should be taped to the back of the counter so he wouldn’t have to grab the little menu that sits next to the till after he’s already put his plastic gloves on. Overall he seemed pretty nervous. I’ll go back but not super often.

I stand behind The Funhole in the way of sustainability, local food, and late-​night hot dogs. Oh and the amusement friends have had over the name!
The parts that didn’t quite do it for me (and the reasons I plan to return another time, in hopes of a better experience) are this:
They closed at (or before?) midnight on a Friday night. Until I came up to look at the menu, I was sure they would be open until 2am. When I told the staff that I was just checking it out and would be back later, I was told that they were closing. Why so soon?!
I was a a little surprised, but I’ve been wanting to try this place for several weeks now so I decided to eat earlier than planned.
Food thoughts? The dog was okay and the ketchup was probably double what it should have been. Wish I would have told her to take it easy.
The cost was… confusing. I went for the regular dog with ketchup and I think something else that it said it came with. I like it simple and doesn’t hurt that it’s the cheapest on the menu (at $ 4.50). The other items had all sorts of ingredients so they were a little more. I expected the higher prices (than the other stands) because of the quality and local products I’d read about.
What I *didn’t* expect was when the counter girl turned back around (after I gave her $ 5) and said «Actually that’s $ 5.50.» Wait– what? Since when? I didn’t end up saying anything, but… I wish I would have. And if prices went up, I wish it would have been posted on the menu.
In the future I’m hoping the staff & menu will agree on what each dog costs, longer hours, and for myself to watch the condiment-​dressing to make sure they don’t put too much on there.

After reading that the Funhole offers Field Roast sausages earlier this week, I stopped by for a bite to eat. The menu is extensive and creative for a place that only serves hot dogs, and offers some nods to local culture. (Like the Dan Savage, which comes with an extra sausage in your bun!)
The food was well cooked, the toppings were plentiful, and the price was low (for Fremont, at least…)
George, one of the owners, was there when I stopped by and I spent a while chatting with him. He seems like a great guy, which only makes me more willing to come back.

Whoa, Funhole, could you be the epitome of Seattle living? Quirky, local, «post-​revolutionary,» peace-​loving, sandal-​wearing, and vegan-​friendly, one would expect them to serve crunchy granola, but it’s hot dogs instead! I hear there’s a bike rack nearby.
Open late (for all you bar hoppers), with ridiculously good looking chicks working the counter, blasting KEXP, The Funhole is rooted in a local marketplace, and really IS like falling into a pit of good times. The place only asks that you imbibe delicious locally-​crafted vegan or meat dogs on large, fresh buns with a combination of ingredients cleverly arranged for an amusing array of menu items (my favorite is the vegetarian Kurt Cobain with spicy mustard, jalepenos, and cheese). Slurp a giant dog down with some soft serve dipped in coconut and have a absithe-​flavored lollipop after sucking on a Magic Fruit tab.
What’s more, the owners shop at farmer’s markets around town for ciders and kombucha drinks, serve Jones soda, and Mighty O donuts. This way, you aren’t just supporting Costco, like those dudes who run, and store, the carts out by the taverns.
When you get done, you can go buy some crap at the antique place next door, get a tattoo up the alley, and take a barge back to the islands to camp out with Sasquatch, you freaking Seattle hippies.

I have never been as excited to eat hot dogs as I have been since The Funhole re-​opened in Fremont. There is an absolutely incredible selection of toppings for the ‘dogs, from the classic ketchup to other condiments including garlic aioli and sriracha sauce. Although I hesitated at first to order cream cheese, grilled onions, pesto, and pickles on top of my «sir mix-​a-​lot» hot dog, I did not regret it for a second. At first, I was overwhelmed by all the choices, but the staff were super friendly and gave me some good, expert advice on delicious combinations. It is a great business for Seattle, in that they offer vegetarian and vegan alternatives and in that they seem to place a strong emphasis on sustainably-​produced foods. I would, and I have, and I am currently recommend/​ed/​ing the Funhole to anyone who will listen. It is a great place.