Bacon Cheese Big Dog
The Bacon Cheese Big Dog is indulgence served on a bun. Smashburger took its premium All-Angus beef dog and crowned it with crispy bacon, melted cheddar, and creamy cheese sauce to create a perfect comfort-food favorite.
It’s rich, savory, and melty in all the right ways — every bite delivers a mix of smoky bacon, gooey cheese, and the juicy snap of grilled beef. This Big Dog is the ultimate reward meal for anyone who loves Smashburger’s signature flavor with extra cheese and crunch.
Price: $8.79 | 760 Cal
Price Information💵
Item | In-Store Price (USD) | Combo Meal (USD) | Delivery Range* |
Bacon Cheese Big Dog | $8.79 | $12.29 – $12.69 | $13.99 – $14.39 |
- *Delivery prices vary slightly by platform.
- Combos include fries and a drink. Occasional promos bundle it with truffle tots or a milkshake.
Background
The Bacon Cheese Big Dog was born from a simple idea — take America’s two favorite flavors, bacon and cheese, and build them into Smashburger’s All-Angus Big Dogs collection. Introduced alongside the Americana and Cowboy Big Dogs, it quickly became a fan favorite for its comforting, cheesy appeal.
Unlike traditional cheese dogs that use processed sauce, Smashburger melts real aged cheddar directly onto the hot dog while layering crispy bacon bits on top. The result is a restaurant-quality bite that feels both classic and premium.
Ingredients & Build
Every Bacon Cheese Big Dog is crafted to hit the sweet spot between salty, creamy, and savory:
- All-Angus beef hot dog – grilled to a perfect char with a juicy interior.
- Applewood-smoked bacon – crispy, thick-cut, and richly flavored.
- Aged cheddar cheese – sharp and melty for real depth.
- Cheese sauce – adds creamy luxury and visual appeal.
- Butter-toasted bun – lightly sweet and structurally sturdy.
The first bite offers crunch and creaminess in equal measure — crispy bacon meets cheddar melt in a wave of smoky flavor.
Calories & Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount |
Calories | 760 |
Protein | 36 g |
Total Fat | 49 g |
Saturated Fat | 19 g |
Carbohydrates | 30 g |
Sugars | 5 g |
Fiber | 1 g |
Cholesterol | 155 mg |
Sodium | 1,540 mg |
High in protein and flavor density, this Big Dog is a solid comfort meal choice for cheese and bacon fans.
Allergen & Dietary Information
Allergen | Present |
Milk | ✅ |
Wheat | ✅ |
Soy | ✅ |
Egg | ✅ |
Sesame | Possible |
Peanuts | ❌ |
Tree Nuts | ❌ |
Fish | ❌ |
Shellfish | ❌ |
Contains milk, soy, egg, and gluten. Gluten-free buns available on request.
Taste & Texture Review
The Bacon Cheese Big Dog is rich, savory, and comforting. The smoky bacon adds crunch, the cheddar adds sharpness, and the cheese sauce adds silky creaminess. The juicy Angus dog acts as a meaty anchor, keeping each bite balanced rather than greasy.
The butter-toasted bun absorbs just enough cheese to stay flavorful without falling apart. It’s a hot dog that tastes like a burger experience — dense, layered, and deeply satisfying.
Chef’s Notes & Culinary Insight 👨🍳
Smashburger chefs consider this the most technically precise Big Dog to build. The bacon must be fried until crisp but not dry. The cheddar is shredded fresh and melted over the dog on the grill for exact coverage. Then a warm cheese sauce is poured lightly over the bacon layer for a double cheese finish.
The bun receives a light butter brushing and grill press for structure and caramelization. Timing is everything — each layer is built within seconds so the cheese retains melt without turning runny.
Flavor Science & Balance
The magic of the Bacon Cheese Big Dog comes from its combination of salt, fat, and umami. The bacon and cheese amplify each other chemically — bacon’s glutamates enhance cheddar’s amino acids for an umami explosion. The cheese sauce adds liquid fat that spreads flavor evenly over the palate.
The Angus dog’s grilled crust provides the necessary bitter edge to cut through richness, while the bun’s light sweetness balances the salt. It’s a textbook example of flavor harmony in comfort food.
Popular Combos & Pairings
The Bacon Cheese Big Dog pairs naturally with Smashburger’s crispy sides and classic drinks:
- Smashfries – rosemary and olive oil bring aromatic contrast.
- Haystack Onions – mirror the bacon’s crunch.
- Vanilla Shake – smooth sweetness to cool the savory bite.
Recommended Combo (“Cheesy Bacon Trio”)
- Bacon Cheese Big Dog
- Smashfries
- Vanilla Shake
Customization Options:
- Extra bacon (+ $1.50) for maximum smokiness.
- Swap cheddar for pepper jack (+ $0.75) for mild heat.
- Add BBQ sauce (+ $0.50) for Cowboy-style twist.
Customer Opinions & Ratings ⭐
The Bacon Cheese Big Dog is a Smashburger fan-favorite with near-perfect feedback for flavor and texture:
- Google Reviews (Denver): 4.9 stars — “Cheesy, crispy, and worth every calorie.”
- Reddit: “Feels like a cheeseburger in a hot dog format — genius.”
- TripAdvisor: “Perfect balance of crunch and cream.”
- Quora: “The bacon quality sets it apart from any other fast-casual chain.”
Reviewers consistently mention that it tastes like an upscale fair-food classic done right.
Nutritional Perspective
Although rich, the Bacon Cheese Big Dog offers more protein per calorie than many loaded fast-food options. Switching to water or unsweetened iced tea keeps a combo under 1,000 calories without losing flavor impact. Its Angus protein base also makes it more nutrient-dense than pork dogs.
Smashburger’s Craft & Technique
Smashburger’s grilling method defines the Big Dog experience. The Angus dog is smashed lightly on a hot buttered griddle to develop caramelized edges. Cheddar melts from residual heat before bacon is layered on top. Cheese sauce is warmed to 140°F and drizzled to finish.
This process locks flavor into every layer while keeping the bun dry and crisp. It’s meticulous execution masquerading as casual food.
Final Thoughts
The Bacon Cheese Big Dog is comfort food perfection — smoky bacon, melted cheese, and juicy Angus beef in a golden bun. It’s decadent but balanced, rich but approachable. Every bite proves why Smashburger’s All-Angus Big Dogs have earned a spot beside their famous burgers.
For those who believe everything tastes better with bacon and cheese, this is the ultimate choice — handcrafted, melty, and memorable from first crunch to last bite.
