LYNN — Tres Perritos Gourmet on 117 Munroe St. is carving out a unique niche: Colombian-inspired hot dogs that blend tradition, creativity, and quality, with a vision to introduce flavors from around the world.
Founded by chef Angel Medina, along with his wife Marcela Muñoz and business partner Edwin Restrepo, Tres Perritos has quickly gained a reputation for delivering more than just a meal; it offers a flavorful, interactive dining experience.
Medina, a Boston chef with 14 years of experience, has worked in several restaurants before opening Tres Perritos.
“I want people to know me specifically for hot dogs,” he explained. “I want everyone to say, ‘These are the best hot dogs in Boston,’ not the burgers.”
Medina’s vision was to offer tapas-style hot dogs, smaller bites that allow customers to sample a variety of flavors.
“We want people to come and experience this at different hubs,” he said, “which are very popular in the U.S. We want everyone to try something different.”
The menu at Tres Perritos reflects Colombia’s cultural diversity, but Medina is also thinking globally.
“Initially, our name is Tres Perritos because we are in a country of many cultures,” he said. “The classic is Colombian, the beef chili is a little spicier, (which is) more Mexican, but we want to keep adding other flavors from different cultures.”
The restaurant also includes the American Doggy and rotating specials like the popular Doggy Gratinado, described by Medina as “three types of cheese, fontal, cheddar, parmesan, plus caramel and bacon aioli.”
“We made it as a special, and it became the most popular, so we brought it to the menu permanently,” he added.
Quality is a cornerstone of Tres Perritos. Medina emphasizes sourcing fresh, local ingredients, noting that “the most important part of a hot dog is the sausage; it’s pure meat, nothing else. Many places use sausages with turkey or pork filler, but ours is just meat. Toppings are also fresh and sourced locally every day.”
The sausages come from a company named Cajun Foods in Chelsea, and all toppings are prepared daily.
The concept goes beyond food; it’s about crafting a memorable experience. Tres Perritos adds a playful touch to the hot dog boxes with phrases like ‘Porque uno no es sufficiente,’ which translates to ‘Because one is not enough,’ a clever nod to the idea that one hot dog simply won’t do.
“Everything is designed for an engaging experience, not just a meal,” he said.
Tres Perritos has also embraced dessert and unique meal options, such as bowls for customers who prefer not to eat bread. Dessert items include brownies, dulce de leche, cream, and a mousse, all made in-house. Medina laughed when mentioning that when the restaurant first opened, customers bought three of the desserts.
Community engagement is central to the team’s strategy. Medina, Muñoz, and Restrepo have participated in local events and festivals and have built a mobile cart to bring Tres Perritos to different locations.
“We built our own cart for the parties. We can move it wherever you want: your house or any event. It’s flexible and fun,” Medina said.
Despite early success, the team acknowledged the challenges of running a new business. Securing licenses took five months, and Medina continues to balance responsibilities elsewhere to manage financial obligations.
“Right now, I still work elsewhere to manage debts, but I’m building Tres Perritos gradually,” he said.
Currently, Tres Perritos employs five staff members, but the owners envision expansion.
“Eventually, I want to open my own business fully,” Medina said.
For now, the team focuses on creating an unforgettable experience for customers, combining quality ingredients, Colombian flavors, and global culinary inspiration.
In a city crowded with culinary options, Tres Perritos Gourmet stands out by offering more than a hot dog; it offers a taste of Colombia, a commitment to quality, and an experience designed to delight all the senses.
Medina summed it up: “The most rewarding part is seeing people enjoy our flavors. We put love into every detail, every hot dog, every topping, every dessert item. But we also want to keep exploring flavors from around the world, so everyone can find something they love.”
