The first time I went to The Dog restaurant, which is located near Avenida de Berna, was because I’d heard about their delicious Porto-style hot dogs. Since I love the ones at Gazela, I headed right over to see if the hype lived up to the buzz.
I got there late at night (it closes at 11 p.m.), and inside the huge, comfortable space at The Dog—with tables, bar stools, and even an outdoor patio—fans of the teams that had played that night were still mingling, which gave me the impression that The Dog was just another cool spot to watch the game with friends, while debating that controversial VAR call over two or three “finos” (that’s what we call our imperial beers from Coimbra and northward) and a snack or two, especially the hot dogs they served us here.
The little dogs that taste like Porto
If you’re also familiar with the delights of Praça da Batalha in Porto, then you’ll never miss them again, because the Cachorrinho à Moda do Porto (€5.40) at The Dog are just as good—or even better (there’s no accounting for taste!).
The first time I went there, I sat at the bar (and how I miss sitting in those spots with a prime view more often), but this time I headed to the outdoor terrace, which you access from inside the restaurant.
The invitation was to try the restaurant’s new francesinha, but, of course, we ordered a hot dog as an appetizer— it’s practically mandatory! They’re still delicious, with their wonderful spicy sauce, although you can now also order francesinha sauce (thanks to this new offering from the restaurant).
Even before the francesinha arrived at the table— its sauce simmers for several hours— I had the chance to learn more about this restaurant, which opened in Porto in 2017 and is dedicated almost exclusively to the typical flavors of Porto.
Since then, the brand has made its way down the A1 and arrived in Lisbon, on Avenida Marquês de Tomar, where it has set up shop to the delight of those who appreciate this cuisine— simple yet full of flavor.
We also tried one of the house’s best-selling steak sandwiches, but…
Ididn’t care for it much, especially since I’m not a big fan of strong cheeses. My companion, on the other hand, loved it! So, if you like brie, this special sandwich—the Prego The Dog (€9.80)— also comes with honey and onion jam cooked in Port wine.
When it comes to the ingredients—especially the meats— at The Dog you’ll find the very best, whether in the hot dogs (whose sausages are sourced from Salsicharia Leandro) , the pregos, or, as we’ll explain shortly, the new francesinhas.
The big surprise: the francesinha
Just a quick note to warn you that I’m not someone who usually orders “francesinhas” at a restaurant— I only order this dish when I go to a place where they’re truly special.
This is because it’s important to note that, the times I’ve had them, I’ve always felt very “stuffed”— either because the francesinhas were too big or because the sauce was quite sweet and, therefore, cloying.
That was precisely the surprise at The Dog: I managed to eat an entire francesinha and didn’t even feel “full.” That’s why I say this is, for me, the best francesinha I’ve had in Lisbon.
The Porto-style francesinha is one of the newest delicacies you can try at The Dog, distinguished by the balance of its sauce— which is quite light and not at all “heavy,” a characteristic that’s very rare in this type of dish.
It was, in fact, the first time I’d managed to finish a francesinha from start to finish—a clear sign that this recipe nailed the hardest part to get right: the intensity of the sauce—in my opinion, of course.
All the meats come from Porto, and the cheese, bread, and the impeccable fried egg on top did the rest—it made my mouth water, especially when I popped the yolk, which spread generously over the francesinha as soon as it “exploded.”
The homemade shoestring fries were the icing on the cake, perfectly fulfilling their purpose—especially with that super-happy ending when they were dipped into the rich, silky sauce.
Useful information:
Address: Avenida Marquês de Tomar 25B (Saldanha)
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Average price: €10–€15 per person
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