Kent is known for its global dining scene. But honestly, don’t you sometimes crave a good ol' hot dog?
Kent is your place for that, too (plus, a deal on hot dogs if you read this blog to the end).
Skooder’s Hot Dog Co. serves all-beef and veggie franks with traditional and unique toppings. The steamed hot dogs, friendly service and reasonable prices make Skooder’s popular with residents and visitors alike.
“We have a few customers who come here directly from SEA Airport,” said Scott Raiford, Skooder’s founder.
Skooder’s is a hidden gem in part because of its unexpected location: inside an office building called The Atrium. Scoot by for breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday.
You’ll need to visit more than once to try the unique hot dog toppings. Flavor combinations are named after dog breeds, like the Akita, Texas Heeler, Doberman and Yorkie. Or, build your own (“The Mutt”) with 16 different toppings, including five types of mustard. Premium add-ons include cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, peanut butter and sauerkraut.
Some of Skooder’s hot dog toppings feature street foods from around the world —think Mexican street corn or banh mi pickled vegetables.
Scott likes to keep things fun and fresh for customers, so he experiments with toppings and introduces a special hot dog each month. The monthly specials have included the Great Dane (remoulade, Danish-style pickles and crunchy onions); the Elote Dog (Mexican street corn and cotija cheese), the Truffle Shuffle (black truffle hot sauce) and the Oktoberfest (German sausage and sauerkraut).
Nearly all of Skooder’s loaded hot dogs are under $10.
“I like to keep it fun. If I can make a couple bucks and have fun, I’m happy,” Scott said.
The restaurant venture began when Scott decided it was time to run his own business after 20-plus years in the corporate world. He landed on hot dogs, and in 2012 he started operating an old-time hot dog cart. The mobile business was an authentic, New York hot dog cart with large wheels. It was one of the smallest food carts in King County.
The Skooder’s name is a nod to its owner. In the military, Scott’s nickname was “Scooter.” He tried using Scooter when setting up his first personal email account, but variations of the name were taken. “Skooder” was available, so it became his email address and, later, the business name.
In August 2016, Scott opened the brick-and-mortar location at The Atrium, part of the CenterPoint business park. Skooder’s opens at 9 a.m. with in-house baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, yogurt and drip coffee from local roaster Seven Coffee.
The cooler is stocked with to-go items like sandwiches, garden salads, veggies and dip, and a large soda selection. Bagged snacks, candy bars and handcrafted drinks are also available.
Skooder’s has inside dining and covered tables outside, ideal for a casual lunch or family picnic.
Make Skooder’s your destination for dogs in Kent. And here’s a deal: Mention that you saw this blog post and get $1 off your hot dog order. (Offer is limited to one per person and cannot be combined with any other offers. Valid through July 31, 2025.)
Skooder’s Hot Dog Co.
6811 S. 204th St., Suite 195
(The S.E. corner of The Atrium building in the CenterPoint Corporate Park)
Kent, WA 98032
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
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