America's Regional Hot Dog Styles
As we head into the 4th of July weekend, hot dogs are everywhere. They're on our grill and on our plates. They're on our TVs (the annual hot dog eating contest on ESPN). And this being Serious Eats, they're on our mind. Let's discuss. We bring you Serious Eats' definitive guide to America's regional hot dog styles.
Sonorans (Tuscon and Phoenix, Arizona)
Photograph from Mr Frosted on Flickr
Bacon-wrapped hot dogs are grilled, then nestled in steamed bolillo rolls and topped with pinto beans, chopped tomatoes, onions, mustard, mayo, and jalapeños. Other variations could include any of the following: shredded cheddar, queso fresco, cotija cheese, salsa verde, and guacamole.
Michigan Red Hots (Upstate New York)
A favorite that hails from New York's North Country, Michigan red hots are steamed beef franks with a natural casing, served in a steamed split-top bun, and topped with a minced meat chili (no tomatoes or beans), chopped raw onions, and mustard. Some places, like Clare and Carl's in Plattburgh, NY, serve theirs in a New England roll, which has closed ends and is cut down the top.
Clare and Carl's
4729 NY-9, Plattsburgh NY
518-561-1163
New York System (Rhode Island)
Similar to Michigans and Coneys, the New York System wiener joints can be found all over Rhode Island. Griddled natural casing all-beef hot dogs are served in steamed side-cut rolls with meat sauce, mustard, chopped onion, and a dash of celery salt. Olneyville's in Providence uses hot dogs that come in a long rope that's cut on the premises and a special spice mix for the meat sauce that can be purchased from its website. At most places, the chef will line up the "gaggahs" on his bare arms to load up the toppings.
Olneyville New York System Hot Weiners
20 Plainfield Street, Providence RI 02909
401-621-9500
OlneyvilleNYSystem.com
Slaw Dogs (The South)
Photograph from vj_pdx on Flickr
Hot dogs slathered with a sweeter, finely chopped, mayo-based slaw are popular in the South, where variations can include the chili-slaw (cole slaw, mustard, raw onion, minced all-meat chili) and BBQ slaw. Some places, like Nu-Way in Macon, Georgia, use red hots, while others may go for the all-beef with natural casings.
Nu-Way
Several locations throughout Georgia
Nu-WayWeiners.com
Red and White Hots (Rochester, New York)
In Rochester New York, hot dogs are known as "hots" and come in either red or white. Most hots are found on another Rochester classic, the garbage plate—an amalgam of hots (or burgers, sausage, whatever you please), potato salad, home fries, meat sauce, among others. White hots are normally made of a mixture of uncured pork, veal, and beef, while red hots can be made with pork, beef, or both. Zweigle's is best known in Rochester as the first to introduce the white hots in 1925 and makes both natural casing and skinless varieties.
Red Dogs (Maine)
Photograph from Kingfox on Flickr
Also known as "red snappers," this dog gets its name from its neon colored casing, which has no effect on the taste. Some joints serve theirs grilled or griddled for the best snap in a toasted, buttered roll, while others, like Simone's Hot Dog Stand, go steamed in a steamed top-split bun.
Simone's Hot Dog Stand
99 Chestnut Street, Lewiston ME
207-782-8431
Flo's Hot Dogs (Cape Neddick, Maine)
Photograph from jslander on Flickr
Go to Flo's red shack on Rt. 1 for a steamed hot dog (pork and beef mix) smeared with mayo, a dash of celery salt, and Flo's legendary secret relish (a dark, spicy, sweet and sour onion concoction that can be purchased online by the jarful), all in a soft steamed bun.
Flo's Hot Dogs
Route 1, Cape Neddick ME 03902
Floshotdogs.com
Kosher and Kosher-style (New York City and New Jersey)
Photograph from Roboppy on Flickr
Kosher dogs are all-beef and come either skinless or in collagen casing, while kosher-style dogs are stuffed into natural casing, which gives it that snap when bitten. According to Ed, you'll find the best kosher franks in the city at the Second Avenue Deli and at Ben's Best in Rego Park. Queens. As for the classic kosher-style, you can't go wrong at Katz's Deli, Gray's Papaya, or Papaya King, especially when griddled and topped with sauerkraut and a smear of mustard.
Second Avenue Deli
162 E. 33rd Street, New York NY 10016
212-677-0606
Ben's Best
96-40 Queen Boulevard, Rego Park NY
718-897-1700
bensbestkosherdeli.com
Katz's Deli
205 E. Houston Street, New York NY 10002
212-254-2246
Katzdeli.com
Gray's Papaya
Locations throughout New York City
Grayspapaya.com
Papaya King
Locations throughout New York City
Papayaking.com
Italian-style (New Jersey)
Places in and around Newark, like Dickie Dee's and Tommy's, like to serve their dogs Italian-style (a.k.a. Newark-dogs): skinny all-beef hot dogs are deep fried and stuffed into a half- round of Italian bread (or sometimes "pizza bread"), along with fried onion, peppers, and potato rounds.
Dickie Dee's
380 Bloomfield Avenue, Newark NJ
973-483-9396
Tommy's Italian Sausages and Hot Dogs
900 Second Avenue, Elizabeth NJ
908-351-9831
Deep-Fried (New Jersey)
Photograph from biskuit on Flickr
Get your deep-fried dog in three ways at places like Rutt's Hutt: the "in and outer" (barely fried), the "ripper" (crinkly burst skin), or the "cremator" (well-done with crunchy crust). It's an ugly pork and beef frank in a steamed bun, but at Rutt's, you can cover it up with some of its sweet and spicy yellow relish.
Rutt's Hutt
417 River Road, Clifton NJ
973-779-8615
Chicago Dog (Chicago)
Photograph from Shanubi on Flickr
All beef dogs in a steamed poppy seed bun and dragged through the garden: minced raw onion, neon sweet relish, sport peppers, pickle spear, halved tomato slices, yellow mustard, celery salt—and of course, no ketchup.
Coneys (Midwest)
Photograph from kevincumbs on Flickr
From Detroit to Tulsa, Coneys are a favorite: small-sized, all-beef natural casing dogs served in steamed buns and topped with minced meat chili, mustard, and chopped onions (order the "loaded" and you'll get shredded cheddar, too). Depending on where you are in the Midwest though, they can come big or small, grilled or steamed, with "coney sauce" that ranges from the drier side to the wet.
Half Smokes (D.C. Area)
Photograph from Bryan Bruchman on Flickr
Arguably Washington D.C.'s signature dish, a half-smoke is like an over-sized spicy sausage and can be filled with a pork/beef mix or all-beef. Some places steam them, but the legendary Ben's Chili Bowl serves its chili half-smokes by grilling the snappy links, putting them in steamed buns, and topping with chili, mustard, and chopped raw onions.Ben's Chili Bowl
1213 U Street NW, Washington DC 20009
202-667-0909
Benschilibowl.com
Pink's Chili Dogs (Los Angeles)
Photograph from PunkJr on Flickr
Photograph from VirtualErn on Flickr
Pink's chili dogs are legendary: all-beef, natural casing, and topped with onions, mustard, and a slather of meaty chili in a steamed bun. Variations include: the foot-long jalapeno dog; the Ozzy Spice Dog with a spicy Polish sausage, Nacho cheese, American cheese, grilled onions, guacamole and chopped tomatoes; and the bacon chili cheese dog.Pink's
709 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90038
323-302-4779
Pinkshollywood.com
Dodger Dog (Los Angeles)
Photograph from pink_fish13 on Flickr
One of the most eaten stadium dogs out there, Dodger dogs are skinless foot-long hot dogs made of pork and set in a steamed bun. Dodger fans can get theirs steamed or grilled and if they can't make it to the park, the official Farmer John Dodger Dogs can be found in some supermarkets in the area.
Puka Dog (Honolulu and Koloa, HI)
Photograph from jsc* on Flickr
Native to the Island, but seemingly more gimmicky than an authentic representation of Hawaiian cuisine, the puka dog is a grilled Polish sausage (or veggie dog, if you prefer) served in a large bun that's had a hole (or "puka") pushed into it by a contraption that also toasts the inside. You can choose from a variety of "garlic lemon secret sauces" that ranges from "mild original" to "habenero hot hot," tropical relishes, and lilikoi or guava mustards. Traditional toppings like ketchup and Dijon are also available. When I was there this spring, I got the Polish sausage with hot sauce, mango relish, and lilikoi mustard. It was great, but I wasn't sold on the price ($6.25 for one puka).
Puka Dog
2650 Kiahuna Plantation Drive, Koloa HI 96756
808-742-6044
and
2301 Kuhio Avenue # 2, Honolulu HI 96815
808 924-7887
Pukadog.com
And The State That Has It All: Connecticut
Photograph from Vidiot on Flickr
Who knew that Connecticut was the mecca of hot dog variations? There's the split and grilled frank topped with homemade condiments at Super Duper Weenie's in Fairfield; the chili and Orleans dogs from the Top Dog truck in Portland; Rawley's "works" dog in Fairfield that's a natural casing deep-fried, griddled, then topped with mustard, relish, sauerkraut and crunchy bacon chunks, all in a toasted bun; and the list of beloved franks goes on. It's a state that deserves a hot dog tour in itself.
Super Duper Weenie
306 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield CT
203-334-DOGS
SuperDuperWeenie.com
Top Dog's
Route 66, Portland CT (nr. High Street)
Rawley's
1886 Post Road, Fairfield CT
203-259-9023
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
61 Comments:
This is the post i've been waiting for, well researched, well presented.
For more hot dog information i'd recommend checking out Holly Moore's Fabulous hot dog page (www.hollyeats.com) and of course Jane and Michael Stern's exhaustive listing (www.roadfood.com)
Prairie at 5:28PM on 07/02/08
Hoooly craaap. SO MUCH HOT DOG. SO MUCH TUBULAR MEAT.
I was never that into hot dogs growing up, but I think I was just eating the wrong ones. Waah.
roboppy at 5:37PM on 07/02/08
chicago dogs all the way :)
sweetpotato at 5:39PM on 07/02/08
@Prairie: Those are great hot dog resources. And John Fox, a NJ hot dog maniac, is all over Roadfood with knowledgeable wiener wisdom.
Adam Kuban at 5:40PM on 07/02/08
Zweigles are awesome.
bobbob at 5:44PM on 07/02/08
I am so glad to see that little RI has made it onto the list. NY System is the best! 3 all the way!
modysoul at 6:02PM on 07/02/08
I can't believe the oddity that is the Seattle cream cheese dog isn't on here. That weirded me out so bad when I moved here!
unarata at 6:07PM on 07/02/08
I have a feeling Connecticut is not the only state/region with a cornucopia of variations -- it's just the one you know best. Chances are there are more options in the South, Southwest and West than you give them credit for. In fact, cursory searching found this list of variations on Wikipedia.
Incidentally, deep-fried hot dogs are not isolated to New Jersey -- they're available and common wherever there's a deep fryer. New Yorkers think it's a regional style only because it's not how they do it in NYC.
me3dia at 6:10PM on 07/02/08
How is it that I grew up in Tucson and have never seen one of those style hot dogs? It seems I seriously missed out...
kmnola at 6:10PM on 07/02/08
I think I just slipped into cardiac arrest reading this post.
Chicago Dawgs RULE!
bodaciousgirl at 6:11PM on 07/02/08
Oh by the way - if it isn't a Vienna All Beef Frank - it's NOT a Chicago dog.
bodaciousgirl at 6:12PM on 07/02/08
I love Texas Hots ... which despite the name are a western new york thing and seem closest in description to the ny system dogs. Meat sauce with a bit of a nutmeg/clove seasoning to it with mustard and onions. Yum.
lexophile at 6:43PM on 07/02/08
As a Phoenician, I can tell you that those Sonoran hot dogs are hard to find in the Valley. Every time I think I have a lead on a Mexican hot dog truck, I find out they've moved or stopped coming around. I always think I'll have to go to Tucson to finally get one--I think there are a couple well-known restaurants that have them firmly planted on their menus.
OneWallKitchen at 6:54PM on 07/02/08
Wow, Connecticut, really?! Guess I should start paying more attention when I go home now... I'm not a big fan of hot dogs, but this is actually making me crave some right now...
Emily Koh at 6:59PM on 07/02/08
Sonoran hot dogs are almost unbelievably delicious. They are definitely more of a Tucson thing than a Phoenix thing, though.
arianell at 7:05PM on 07/02/08
I noticed the Sonoran dogs are not accompanied with an address... for those who'd like to try one, El Guero Canelo (www.elguerocanelo.com) is known for its hot dogs.
ricestein at 7:26PM on 07/02/08
Where I live by the Jersey Shore, the Windmill and Max's serves grilled hot dogs--split down the middle, smoky-tasting, charcoal grilled style--that I didn't see mentioned. Usually foot-long and served with mustard, maybe kraut and some relish.
HeartofGlass at 7:42PM on 07/02/08
You might want to check out Roscoe's Big Dog in Hartford, Ct. I think it was voted one of the top ten by Ellen Degeneres (although I can't imagine what would make her an authority).
Anyway, has gotten rave reviews locally.
bessfour at 7:49PM on 07/02/08
An awesome tribute to one of my favorite eats. I just ate dinner, but now I'm hungry again.
I'm seriously torn between the NYC kosher variety and the good ol' chicago dog dragged thru the garden. I think Grays Papaya wins, by a nose.
Oh, and when in Kennesaw, GA, check out Betty's Hot dogs next to the hospital. It's conveniently located close to the ER for when their amazing chili dogs give you a coronary.
NTSCBlogdotcom at 8:32PM on 07/02/08
This thread made me think of Hot Dog Johnnie's in Buttzville, NJ, near the Delaware Water Gap. We used to stop there on the way back to Wilkes-Barre, PA when I was in college. I see they're still in business. Might have to make a special trip down memory lane for one of those. Mmm. And are there no wonderful hot dogs in the Boston area?
challah at 9:22PM on 07/02/08
About that 'Italian Hot Dog'.
Seriously? Deep Fried? Never! Also, they're around alot more than just the Newark area. Nearly every pizza/lunch place in the Trenton area sells an Italian hot dog - and they DON'T deep fry them.
stratusgd at 10:49PM on 07/02/08
I have to dispute the assertion that coneys are "midwestern." I've only ever seen them in the Cincinnati area, and certainly not in MN or WI, where the brat is king.
thatgrrl at 10:50PM on 07/02/08
In MN, coneys would just be "chilli cheese dogs." "Coney" is what Sonic calls them, (no Sonics in MN, by the way). Brats and Polish sausages are more popular in MN and preferred over hot dogs.
elderberry_crunch at 8:26AM on 07/03/08
OK, hot dog tour of the East coast. Who's with me?
robotjohnny at 9:26AM on 07/03/08
The only thing I would add to the list are the charcoal broiled hot dogs we eat here in WNY.....usually Sahlen's brand, although Wardzynski's are equally good....they can be found at hot dog stands throughout the area. Ted's hot dog stand is the most popular & probably the most famous...also having a location in Arizona as well!
mepolo at 9:33AM on 07/03/08
What--35 comments in and no NYer has come in to crap on everyone's heads???
"Aw, well, everyone knows there's only one kind of hotdog in the world, the NY hotdog, and it's the best. Sonoran dogs are a casserole! Chi dogs are a salad." etc.
There, NYers, I did it for you. You can all relax now and let your BP return to normal.
Garvey at 9:48AM on 07/03/08
The Costco hot dog is still it for me.
Erin Zimmer at 9:52AM on 07/03/08
I've got to say, that as a New Yorker who grew up (and out) on Katz's, when I had my first half-smoke at Ben's, the world shifted on its axis. It was the best ballpark food I've ever had, maybe even the best hot dog.
Their chili actually tasted like chili, and at the ballpark, that was a shock. I can't wait to try the original, which I'm told is even better.
daveinfred at 11:27AM on 07/03/08
This is the best post of all times, ever.
ReneeRobinson at 11:56AM on 07/03/08
thatgrrl and elderberry_crunch: You can find "coney dogs" many places in MN, although elderberry, you're correct in saying that most people around here tend to think of them as "chili dogs".
Btw...a Sonic just opened on White Bear Ave. in St. Paul.
njgood at 12:27PM on 07/03/08
i live in the capital region of new york state and we have this incredible local favorite mini-hotdog. there's many places that make them, but only a few that do it right. typically grilled 4 inches long and served with mustard, oninons, and meat sauce (and each place has their own secret meat sauce recipe)
These mini-dogs are awesome and you can eat them by the dozen!
one of my favorites is Famous Lunch in Troy, NY
nighthawk at 12:34PM on 07/03/08
There is a place up here in Calgary called Tubby Dog that seems to incorporate all those different styles of hot dogs listed plus a bunch of their own. Some of the more outlandish toppings they have are peanut butter & jam, wasabi, something they call ‘space cheese’ and even Cap’n Crunch cereal. I haven’t tried any of they more crazy toppings they have ( I do have a friend that tried the Cap’n Crunch and loved it), but their hot dogs are just awesome. Too bad they don’t have a website.
bajahaha at 12:53PM on 07/03/08
I weiners!!!!
bisbee at 12:57PM on 07/03/08
"What--35 comments in and no NYer has come in to crap on everyone's heads???"
Sorry... after seeing so many abominations, I was in the bathroom, trying not to throw up. Really, if you start with a delicious, all beef dog, why would you put so much crap on top of it? A smear of mustard, maybe a forkful of sauerkraut and it's hot dog heaven. I guess the rest of the country must have really bad tasting dogs, and they need to hide that terrible flavor with a ton of crap. Really: mango relish? Give me a freakin' break!
Sommelier at 4:40PM on 07/03/08
No one has ever tried fo force-feed me anything on my dog (or anything else) that I didn't want, and I guess that's not what we're trying to do here. Different strokes for different folks and all that. I just had my first half-smokes (At Ben's!) two weeks ago, and they are great...but so are chicago dogs, Katz's, Gray's Papaya, and those great Sonoran doggies. Lots of good things to do with 'em, and peace upon all your heads.
lemons at 5:54PM on 07/03/08
I will make a trip to Arizona for that dog.
steakpuff at 6:26PM on 07/03/08
For LA, Pink's is fine, but it's just one place. The iconic LA dog is the bacon-wrapped grilled dog... which is also technically illegal. Read about it here:
http://www.laweekly.com/eat+drink/dining/the-bacon-wrapped-hot-dog-so-good-its-illegal/18276/
tricky88 at 6:55PM on 07/03/08
You can't talk about coneys without mentioning Skyline Chili in Cincinnati, OH - they have the BEST cheese coneys!!
DTDavid at 7:41PM on 07/03/08
In response to Stratusgd's post, let me say that the authentic Newark style Italian Hot Dog invented in 1932 by James Raccioppi was deep fried. Mr Raccioppi was the founder of Jimmy Buff's. Only Jimmy Buff's is legally allowed to call themselves the "Originator" of the Italian Hot Dog. The Trenton version, which in my opinion is a bastardized version, came along a few laters later. Casino Tony Goes, which was sold a few years ago, grilled rather than fried a pork based hot dog and put it in a sub or hoagie roll rather than circular pizza bread. An authentic Italian Hot Dog is served on pizza bread, the ingredients are deep fried or sauteed, the dog is all beef. This dog is popular in Essex and Union Counties in north Jersey, although a few people from the Newark area moved further south and are serving authentic examples of the style. Jersey Joe's in Port Monmouth and Jo Jo's in Toms River are 2 examples.
Ive been to Connecticut numerous times to sample their quality hot dogs, but I wouldn't consider them to be the mecca of hot dog variations. This distinction belongs to New Jersey. Nowhere else can you get an Italian Hot Dog. Although considered by most to be a New York hot dog, Sabrett originated in New Jersey. In Jersey City on Coles and Henderson Streets. The dogs were produced there for years until the company was sold. It is now owned by Marathon Enterprises of New Jersey although now the franks are made in the Bronx. And Boulevard Drinks in Jersey City was serving the grilled Sabretts that Papaya King uses a few years before Papaya King started serving hot dogs.
In addition to Italian Hot Dogs, New Jersey has 2 varieties of Texas Weiners (despite the name, they originated in Jersey in 1920) the grilled or Plainfield area Texas Weiner with a thick chili sauce, and the deep fried or Paterson area "Hot" Texas Weiner with a thinner, cinnamon/nutmeg/clove spiced chili. We also have dirty water dogs, kosher style grilled dogs, German style griddle cooked dogs popular down the Jersey Shore, charbroiled beef dogs (the late, great Syd's), deep fried pork based dogs or "rippers" and others. Dogs are also prepared different ways and combinations of ways. No state has the variety and quality of dogs that New Jersey does. Period.
hotdoglover at 11:42AM on 07/04/08
I live in CT and I've been trying all the hot dogs I can get. So far my favorites are Augie and Ray's in East Hartford and Roscoe's in downtown Hartford. Superduper Weenie is also really good but I want to go back for more - there are so many varieties!
TastyNewEngland at 12:41PM on 07/04/08
Just back from flying across the country and, luckily, had enough time in O'hare to get my faaavorite Chicago dog at the bend in the B terminal. mmmmm'MMMMM
spacesemicolonspace at 6:34AM on 07/05/08
Out of about a dozen places I've been to in Connecticut, my favorites are Rosco's and the Glenwood Drive In. Rosco's serves perhaps the best German style (milder beef and pork) frank I've sampled anywhere. The dog is a Thumann's griller from Jersey which is a different recipe than the Thumann's deep fryer served at Rutt's Hut, Crif Dogs, and numerous other places in North Jersey. This one has more flavor. It's served on a toasted New England bun and while I prefer to enjoy this dog with mustard only, the toppings and combinations are excellent. All are homemade.
The Glenwood Drive In serves a footlong Hummel's dog that is prepared on a charcoal grill. The Hummel's dog is a hybrid; made from beef and pork, but spiced like a New York style dog (garlic and paprika). It has a unique tangy flavor. Although made in Connecticut, I was able to get some natural casing Hummel's at an Eden Gourmet store in South Orange, N.J. Maybe they are available in the New York locations. If so, this dog is worth checking out.
As for quality and variety of hot dogs, I would rate New Jersey first, Connecticut second, New York third, and Illinois (because of Chicago) fourth. New York made the list because although NYC has good grilled dogs (Papaya King, Katz's, Gray's, Nathan's) and "dirty water dogs", travelling farther north brings you in contact with some outstanding hot dogs. Sahlen's from the Buffalo area is a great tasting German style dog with a slightly peppery taste that lends itself well to grilling. This dog is chargrilled at the famous Ted's chain. Syracuse has Hofmann's excellent German style dogs and "snappy grillers" which are spicy pork and veal franks. Rochester has the famous Zweigle's White Hots which are shaped like a hot dog but similar to a bratwurst. Glacier and Wardynski are 2 other top notch hot dog brands available in Northern New York.
Wisconsin, with Usinger's and Klements, and Michigan with Koegel's and Kowalski brand franks are 2 other states that are known for hot dogs. Michigan, especially the Detroit area is known for their "coneys", which are dogs topped with mustard, onions, and meat sauce or chili.
Most of the rest of the country serves average or mediocre dogs. The focus (especially down south) is what you put on the dog rather than the dog itself. The dog is viewed as a holder for the toppings. Places like West Virginia use a bland, ordinary dog and put chili and cole slaw on top. The dogs are judged by the toppings rather than the quality of the underlying frank.
hotdoglover at 7:51AM on 07/05/08
When i was a kid I can remember eating Jimmy Buffs - my gosh, what a treat! It was the perfection of those Italian rolls, the sweetness of the fried onions, the heft of the pieces of fried potato.
As a teenager, i worked as a busboy at Rutt's Hutt. People would order sit down dinners of two hot dogs on a platter w/ potato salad and cole slaw.
As an adult, I've become a Baltimorean. I am surprised to not find any reference to Baltimore style dogs - which are all-beef hot dogs with a slice of grilled beef bologna tucked inside the hot dog roll.
baltimorejay at 8:00PM on 07/05/08
Try 'Hermano's' , a local stand located Mon- Sat 11am- 10pm on 22nd just west of Wilmont St, Tucson. (Not that I haven't been there thousands of times or anything...)
azdesertrider
http://thecaffeinatedcyclist.com
azdesertrider at 10:02PM on 07/06/08
The reason Connecticut is number 1 is because they have the greatest base for whatever style of dog you are looking for. This base is the Hummell Hot Dog. Easily, the greatest processed meat ever stuffed into a tube.
Beelzebuddy at 12:56PM on 07/07/08
i like the good ole NY/NJ dog........... can't really beat a simple Hebrew National hot dog.... although a Sabretts and a Nathans are just as good.
dozertx at 5:52PM on 07/07/08
As I mentioned in my earlier post, I can now get Hummel's in N.J. Definitely one of my favorite dogs. A unique, tangy flavor that is fine with toppings or just mustard. Have you tried Thumann's?
hotdoglover at 8:11PM on 07/07/08
Saugy's from Rhode Island. Only available locally. Unique veal based frankfurter with a natural casing with no perservatives. You have to get them fresh. They spoil fast. Very different taste. Easy to love.
andywho at 9:33PM on 07/08/08
For any SE Michiganders-- National Coney Island is the best!
smile at 1:39AM on 07/09/08
Saugy's is very good. I wouldn't call them veal based; they are made with pork, veal, and beef in the German style. Mild, but flavorful, with a slight peppery taste in the background. Reminiscent of Sahlen's from Buffalo.
hotdoglover at 8:41PM on 07/09/08
Growing up in the Chicagoland area, I agree with 'bodaciousgirl' in that the only way to successfully achieve a Chicago Dog is to use Vienna Beef Franks. Now living in Orlando, I've found that Hot Dog Heaven has done a great job at bringing the Vienna Beef Chicago Dogs to central Florida (dragging them thru the garden with the neon green relish and sport peppers along with the poppy seed buns.)
For any Phoenician looking for a great Sonoran Dog, hit up the stand off the southwest corner of 19th Ave. and Broadway. They set up around 8 p.m. and stay open well after midnight.
Lastly, if ever in the Allentown, Trexlertown, or Fogelsville, PA area, ask where the nearest Yocco's is. (The Hot Dog King; the secret's in Yocco's (chili) sauce.)
Food Hobo at 12:07PM on 07/10/08
Sabretts with NY style deli mustard and red onions, nothin' better IMHO.
davidinmpls at 9:01PM on 07/10/08
I know this was a US survey, but I recently had my first Japadog in Vancouver. This modest hot dog stand downtown serves a variety of dogs with unique, Japanese toppings including Japanese mayo, nori, teriyaki sauce, fried onions, soy sauce, green onions, daikon, miso sauce, and Kaiware (daikon seeds). Yum!
lawandmusic at 1:56PM on 07/11/08
In Seattle the hot dog stands all do cream cheese and grilled onions.
adrockuw at 11:27AM on 07/12/08
Am I the first person to mention another New York regional variation - the split dog, fried in butter, like they do at the iconic, venerable Walter's in Mamaroneck (Westchester County)? If memory serves, the bun is grilled in butter, too. Spicy mustard is the only appropriate topping. Careful crossing the Post Road with your precious cargo.
eleeb at 10:20AM on 07/13/08
Best Wurst in Austin is pretty legit.
Julian at 3:26PM on 07/13/08
Frank's on Pima and Alvernon has Sonoran hot dogs. Pretty good, but I will try Hermano's suggested above.
Luke's on Ft. Lowell has best Chicago style dog in the Tucson area according to my Chicago born and raised spouse.
BTW, it's "Tucson" not "Tuscon" (And "Wilmot" not "Wilmont").
fg
fuzzygoats at 9:18PM on 07/13/08
Japadog in Vancouver? That's hilarious! I just had a real Chicago Red Hot guy open a few blocks from me in Portland. He even discounts his dogs during Cubs games.
litagent at 1:45AM on 07/14/08
Oh boy am I ever happy with my decision to bring hot dogs (OK, OK, they're veggie dogs) to the tailgating event I'm going to tonight. After reading this I'm going to have to clean the drool from my keyboard.
And FWIW, Venezuelans have the greatest hot dogs in the world: mayo, ketchup, mustard, onion, cabbage, and crushed potato chips on a steamed potato roll. Pure win.
Djinn at 3:01PM on 07/15/08
Big Chicago style fan here, but I seriously cannot believe you talked about Southern hot dogs without mentioning the Varsity in Atlanta. It has only been there since 1928 and has been serving up terrific stomach destroying coneys the entire time. You can get slaw dogs there, but the real thing to get is a chili dog with onions and mustard, some fries and an FO (Frozen Orange). The FO banks the fires that are to come. I've had both Varsity and Nu-way and it's Varsity all the way. I'm stuck in Florida so we don't have any regional hot dog specialty, but thank god for Vienna Hot Dogs farming out their stuff! Also we used to have Skyline Chili and I sure do miss skyliners!
Hilfy at 12:50PM on 07/30/08
What about the original Nathan's in Coney Island? My favorite since I was 5. I lived 1/4 of a mile on the Bensonhurst side and went there every weekend in the summer.
Being from Coney Island (that is what it was considered at the time), everyone thinks that I have eaten Coney Dogs. Those are completely different and not something you find at Nathan's. Only toppings I ever knew were mustard, saurkraut, green relish or onions. That is it. Before I left Brooklyn, I never had a chili dog, a cheese dog, or a chili-cheese slaw dog.
Also, Varsity in Atlanta makes the best Chili-Cheese Slaw Dog in the world. I had 2 in 2005. Their onion rings and Frozen Orange also rock.
RisaG at 3:18PM on 08/07/08