Halal hot dog franchise Mad Dogs will relocate from 12th Street to Guadalupe Street by the end of February, the owner said.

Mad Dogs originally started in Houston in 2022 and quickly gained popularity from its small pop-up. After establishing three locations in Houston, Mad Dogs owner Moustafa Eissa decided to open up a restaurant in Austin.

“It was really beyond expectation for what we had in Austin, and it was doing so well (in Houston) that we decided that, ‘hey, maybe this is too small of a restaurant,’” Eissa said.

The move will address proximity concerns students had about its original 12th Street location, Eissa said. By moving to Guadalupe Street, Mad Dogs will become more accessible for students, especially for those looking for late-night dining options.

“For people without a car, your options are really limited, so the fact that it’s on (Guadalupe Street) would be so convenient,” said Nena MacNojia, a psychology and economics junior.

The restaurant is expanding beyond the typical hot dog, adding smash burgers and various hot dog flavors such as Philly Cheesesteak, brisket and elote dogs.

“(Mad Dogs) has all the flavors and then they tailor it to whatever your taste is,” English senior Duaa Zulfiqar said. “It’s promoting inclusivity for the Muslim population (by) offering different tastes and styles.”

The Guadalupe location will have new equipment, a rooftop area and a larger kitchen to better fit the business demand in Austin. Eissa said Mad Dogs will also offer student discounts.

“We’re open to ideas as well,” Eissa said. “If somebody ever comes in and wants to come up with their own thing, we’ll do it for them. We’re excited to continue offering what we do in Austin, and hopefully the spot on (Guadalupe Street) is even better.”