Rock City Dogs, Craft Hot Dog Restaurant in Bay Shore, Closes For Good
It was a new concept for Long Island when craft hot dog restaurant Rock City Dogs opened back in 2021 at 3 East Main Street in Bay Shore, spearheaded by rock-and-roll enthusiast Steve Reno and his wife, Vina Vollmer. The concept emerged from Reno’s musings over a coffee table book about iconic album covers and a TV show about America’s best hot dogs. The restaurant featured craft hot dogs inspired by classic rock bands, along with a variety of sides, salads, and other entrees, maintaining a rock and roll theme throughout.
But after three years, Rock City Dogs has closed its doors. They announced the news on Instagram.
Reno said it was a combination of things that led him to close the doors of his dog joint.
“My wife and I were working 70-80 hours per week,” said Reno in a phone interview with LongIslandRestaurants.com.
Some of his initial partners bowed out of the restaurant leaving the bulk of the work running it to the couple. On top of that, inflation did not help.
“Food costs kept going up,” he said.
Rock City Dogs, a unique dining experience that immersed patrons in the rock and roll culture, featuring classic rock music and interactive visuals along with their food offerings, is no more. Someone, apparently, made Reno an offer he couldn’t refuse. So far there is no word on who took over the space and what they might do with it. For his part, Reno said he has no regrets.
“It is what it is,” he said. “It was a great ride but it’s time to get off the merry-go round.”
We will update this story when we have more information on what will replace Rock City Dogs in the space.
