River Dogs of Boulder Creek: The Hot Dog Stand Behind Joe's Bar
River Dogs is behind Joe's Bar. Not next to it, not visible from Highway 9: you walk down the side, past Scarborough's, and there's a hot dog cart, a fire pit, some seating, and a small stage in what the owners describe as an area that "has evolved from a storage unit" into somewhere people sit. The stand's own site gives the address as 123 Forest Street and says they are "unofficially" there, and the word fits.
Who runs it
Chris, Kim, and Paul have owned River Dogs since 2019, and they live less than a mile from the cart. This is a neighborhood stand run by neighbors, open when the weather cooperates and closed when it does not.
How the neighbors came to own it is a story Paul Faraone told Good Times in 2024. Faraone, a plumber before he co-founded a wildfire prevention startup, was a regular at the stand with his son back when a retired couple ran it. The owner stepped away for a while, the two of them helped his wife keep the cart going, and when he returned he offered Faraone the business. Faraone brought in his neighbor Chris McCann as a partner, and, as he told the paper, "here we are five years later with the business continuing to grow."
What they serve
Chicago dogs are the through-line. River Dogs uses Vienna Beef on steamed poppyseed buns, with the traditional Chicago build available alongside chili cheese dogs, Polish sausages, bacon dogs, veggie dogs and a sliced Doggie Dog for pets. The full priced board is below.
Vienna Beef required Paul Faraone and Chris McCann to complete its two-day Hot Dog University before it would supply the cart. The course covered hot dog history, the standard Chicago build and service for more than 200 guests in a day. "All of our ingredients except for tomatoes and onions come from Chicago," Faraone told Lookout Santa Cruz in 2024.
The seasonal sausages take another route: Ronnie's Meat Market makes them locally, and the cart cooks them to order. Field Roast veggie dogs and Rotella's gluten-free steamed buns cover two common alternatives. The cart notes a longer cooking time for the veggie dog, so allow 10 to 15 minutes.
Dogs are welcome outside the cart area if they are social. There's a fire pit for cold days, and no outside food or drink.
Hours, weather, and the stage
There's no roof over any of it, so the schedule bends to the weather. Its posted winter hours run Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 to 3 and Friday through Sunday 11:30 to 5, and it closes for bad weather or special events. Check before you walk down there in January.
The small stage takes acoustic and family-friendly performers, and the owners are open about looking for more of them. They also cater, including job sites, with about a week's notice, and they will arrange orders of $25 or more outside business hours by phone. The catering list runs well past job sites: Good Times noted bookings at the Redwood Mountain Faire, school functions, and private celebrations, and in the summer of 2024 Lookout found the stand running a satellite cart at Humble Sea Brewing's beer garden on the Santa Cruz Wharf.
River Dogs is also the one restaurant inside Boulder Creek that shows up on DoorDash.
Hours and menu items change, and this one changes with the weather. Check River Dogs' own site or call 831-400-7025 before counting on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do they cater?
Yes. River Dogs caters events and job sites, and asks for at least a week's notice. Call 831-400-7025 or email riverdogsofbc@gmail.com.
Where exactly is it?
123 Forest Street, behind Joe's Bar and Scarborough's Home and Garden, off Highway 9 in downtown Boulder Creek. You reach it on foot from the main block.
Is there anything for vegetarians?
Yes. Veggie dogs made with Field Roast Italian sausages are on the standing menu, and gluten-free buns are available.
Can I get River Dogs delivered?
Yes. It's on DoorDash, and it's the only Boulder Creek restaurant that is. See what food delivery works in Boulder Creek.
Do they close in bad weather?
Yes. The stand has no roof, so it closes for inclement weather and for special events. Call 831-400-7025 if the day looks marginal.
The posted schedule is labeled winter hours, so call before a summer visit.
For the rest of the town's kitchens, see where to eat in Boulder Creek and the food and drink listings. Browse the business directory or the rest of our Around Town guides. Something out of date? Tell us.
