America's Best Hot Dog Town: Cast Your Vote
Have you ever noticed how passionate people are about their hometown hot dogs?
To the residents of southern Connecticut there will never be a better hot dog than Rawley's or Swanky Frank's. In Atlanta, you'll get stoned if you talk trash about the hot dog at The Varsity. In Detroit, it's not a hot dog, it's a coney, served up at the American Coney Island or Lafayette Coney Island.
But let's put passion aside for a moment and try to be objective about hot dogs. To my way of thinking, there are three great hot dog towns in America: New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Why do I say this?
In part, I suppose, because all three locales favor all beef hot dogs with natural casings, and I for one think those hot dogs are the best-tasting hot dogs on the planet. All three cities of course prepare and top their hot dogs very differently, but whether a hot dog is grilled, char-grilled, boiled, steamed, or griddled, and then topped with mustard, sauerkraut, onions, coleslaw, chili, sport peppers, pickles, or slices of tomato, doesn't really matter. In my mind if you don't start with an all-beef hot dog with a natural casing, you will not end up with a truly great hot dog.
This is not a big city chauvinist talking here. I just haven't found another burg small or large with hot dogs to match the franks you can find at the Big Three. But if by some chance I've missed a great hot dog town, we are allowing write-in candidates. Cast your vote now.
The best hot dog town in America is:
A. New York
B. Chicago
C. Los Angeles
D. Other (name it)
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29 Comments:
B
no dogs bring the texture and flavor experience of a fully loaded chicago, preferably from vienna beef. as much as i like local ct/nyc style.. kraut mustard etc etc.. it's no chi-town.
goodbyeohio at 8:31AM on 09/11/07
i love hot dogs in all forms, BUT i too must vote for chicago-style - tomatoes and pickles add that perfect refreshing touch on top of hot steamy beef.
crafty at 9:54AM on 09/11/07
D
I nominate Clifton NJ:
http://beefaficionado.blogspot.com/2007/05/jersey-dogs-clifton-nj-hot-dog-mecca.html
beef aficionado at 10:06AM on 09/11/07
Buffalo has some great hot dogs, especially Ted's, which serves Sahlens.
rps at 10:23AM on 09/11/07
Also, maybe I'm crazy, but I actually don't think NYC is that great a hot dog town.
rps at 10:24AM on 09/11/07
Being from Michigan, I do believe Michigan dogs, specifically Koegel beef & pork Viennas, brewed and bottled just outside Flint, are best. In fact, the Flint Koegel plant also makes the "hot dog chili sauce" that many Detroit restaurants use to serve Detroit-style coneys.
There are both Detroit-style and Flint-style coneys, but as both use Koegel products from Flint, Flint gets my vote. And it don't make me no never mind about the "all-beef" tribunal. I seriously doubt most Serious Eaters could tell the difference in a blind taste test using seriously decent hot dogs.
Now, if'n you'll excuse me, I'll drop off this soapbox and head to Tony Packo's on Front Street in Toledo for a Hungarian hot dog, while sitting under a picture of a dress-draped Jamie Farr. ;-)
LunaPierCook at 10:26AM on 09/11/07
I second Buffalo, which favors charcoal grilling and a spicy sauce along with pickle relish, onions, mustard and a dill pickle spear. It is a fine dog. That said, a Chicago dog is also a superior sausage. If you are talking New York, than you have to pick your spot. Nathans is dependable, Katz' Deli is the real deal, and I like Grey's Papaya.
My LA research to date has been confined to burgers. Further study is clearly called for.
outsidecounsel at 11:57AM on 09/11/07
B. Chicago. No contest. There's absolutely nothing like a Chicago hot dog charred to perfection.
recipegrl at 12:18PM on 09/11/07
D - Fort Lee, NJ (at least til Callahan's got demolished and yet another bank was built in its place)
Typical that Bourdain would prefer Hirams.
youthlarge at 12:39PM on 09/11/07
Oh, Callahan's! Site of many a 1970s feast in my high-school days. I shed a tear when I heard of its fate.
I tend to be a fan of NYC Grey's Papaya dogs, myself, but I won't get on my high horse about it. I've never had a Chicago dog, but they sound pretty damn fine from the commenters' descriptions.
But I've had some seriously fine dog in Toronto, too, so what do I know? I don't know that I think any town gets the crown on this one--there's plenty of room!
klg19 at 1:12PM on 09/11/07
Chicago, because they have enough sense to leave the onion raw. That said, the dogs themselves are decent enough at Grey's and Katz's, and even, on some days, the mother house of Nathan's at Coney Island. But the whole deal, bun, dog and toppings, gimme Chicago. Or, as Woofie's in St. Louis, which does Vienna Beef dogs in a respectable Chicago style, says, it's "a righteous weiner". (Woofie's slogan is "Serving the hot dog with dignity", which is pretty fine, too, I think.)
lemons at 1:59PM on 09/11/07
B
Is there really any debate about this?
SAMiller at 2:01PM on 09/11/07
B.
Does anyone actually prefer something called a "dirty water dog?" South Carolina slaw dogs are far better than the gross onion mess that New Yorker's enjoy, but the definitive dog will always be Chicago-style.
JungMan at 2:06PM on 09/11/07
I vote for Zweigle's Pop Open Hot Dogs from Rochester, NY
They have the traditional "Red Hots" and also have "White Hots" which are made with pork, beef and veal.
randyzip at 3:02PM on 09/11/07
Completely off topic: Congrats on having Mario join SE! Bravo!
On topic: My husband loves Hot Dog Johnny's on Rt. 46 West in the unfortunately named Buttzville, NJ. It's also pretty famous for it's fresh buttermilk.
hereandthe at 4:16PM on 09/11/07
Chicago-style, hands down. Crispy charred dog, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, neon relish, mustard and celery salt on a poppy seed bun - to die for.
eatbemerry at 6:22PM on 09/11/07
D.
Not a town, but North Jersey (particularly the counties of Union, Essex, and Passaic) is the hot dog capital of the world. High quality frankfurters and more styles than anywhere. Chicago has their own unique style, but to many people their dogs are a salad on a bun. The Vienna frank, which is mild compared to Sabrett, Nathan's, and Best (Newark, N.J. not Chicago) goes well with the salad and doesn't overpower the other ingredients. A bolder, more flavorful frank would throw everything out of balance. In my opinion, the focus should be on the dog itself.
In North Jersey, Best Provisions out of Newark makes arguably the best tasting all beef dog. Their 5 to a lb dog was boiled, then charbroiled at Syd's in Union. The same dog can be had at Jimmy Buff's in East Hanover.
In addition to charbroiled dogs, you can get dirty water dogs (boiled or steamed). Many people do not realize that Sabrett started in Jersey City, N.J., not New York. The company was bought by Marathon Enterprises of East Rutherford, N.J.. North Jersey also serves beef dogs on a griddle.
You can also get quality German style beef and pork dogs. Thumanns is perhaps the best in the country. Certainly the best I've had out of dozens sampled (including Sahlen's). Schickhaus is also a popular Jersey dog served at places down the Jersey Shore. Max's in particular.
North Jersey is also home to the deep fried hot dog. Rutt's Hut is one of the top 5 or so popular hot dog establishments in the entire country. We also have Texas Weiners, which, despite the name, is a popular Jersey dog. A beef and pork dog topped with mustard, chili, and onions.
Thee Italian Hot Dog was invented in Newark, N.J. in 1932. This sandwich consists of a fried beef dog (2 for the more popular double) places in Italian pizza bread and topped with fried or sauteed peppers, potatoes, and onions. It is delicious.
I've had all kinds of hot dogs and for a natural casing all beef dog, Best's is tops. For a German style beef/pork dog, Thumann's is hands down the best. North Jersey has a great hot dog culture and more variety than anywhere else. Chicago serves minor variations of the same basic style. Nowhere compares to North Jersey. Becky Mercuri, author of the Great American Hot Dog Book, and Holly Moore of Holly Eats, both agree.
hotdoglover at 8:17PM on 09/11/07
Upon further reflection, I would rank them
1) Chicago
2) Buffalo
3) Everyone else
rps at 8:51AM on 09/12/07
I gotta say I am biased, but Chicago dogs are by far my favorite. There is something to that particular melange of flavors and textures that makes the entire experience more enriching.
But...If you are ever in Chicago, don't go just anywhere for the hot-dog experience. I mean, Portillo's is a fantastic place, and most of the divey, street-corner establishments with hand-painted signs are good as well, but the true emporium is Hot Doug's (www.hotdougs.com) where dogs are given their just deserves. Doug Sohn, proprietor of HD's is something of a Sausage Artist, who spins culinary desires into pure sausage gold. Do a Flickr search for Hot Dougs and you will be treated to some mind-blowing, mouth-watering concoctions from this true genius in a city that knows encased meats.
chicagoimprov at 12:27PM on 09/12/07
Another vote for Buffalo here. When you have a well-grilled (charcoal only!), good quality hot dog on a fresh roll, there's no need to pile a pickled salad on top of it.
tservo at 1:41PM on 09/12/07
Although I nominated Clifton NJ I simply cannot let the type of food bigotry perpetuated by JungMan stand. Only someone woefully ignorant of the actual food practices of New Yorkers would ever suggest that the city was nominated on the back of a dirty water dog. Have you ever heard of Nathans? The only dirty water anywhere near the dogs is in the ocean. How about Katz' Deli or Grays Papaya? Basing one opinion on the lowest common denominator is hardly fair.
beef aficionado at 5:08PM on 09/12/07
jungman, you really shouldn't judge New York hot dogs based
on the fact that you can get dirty water dogs on the streets of
NYC. Gray's Papaya, Katz's, and Papaya King all serve superb
hot dogs. I wrote about New York hot dogs in the NYT a couple
of years ago, and beginning Friday you'll be able to access
some of my times stories (hot dogs included) on ed levine eats
Ed Levine at 5:18PM on 09/12/07
Can't believe that North Jersey got such a long post without any mention of Amazing Hot Dog in Verona! The most creative toppings ever, fantastic hand-cut fries, and they're using Best's all-beef dogs (out of Newark). www.amazinghotdog.com
Curlz at 10:47PM on 09/14/07
Amazing Hot Dog is just one of many fine places in North Jersey. In my previous post, I only named a few. Amazing does use a natural casing Best, and has the widest array of toppings I've seen at a hot dog establishment. Personally, I prefer just a good deli mustard on a quality all beef dog, in order to enjoy the flavor and spices of the dog itself, though sometimes I have one with chili. I do prefer the other sizes (long and thin) of the Best dog to the thick quarter pounder at Amazing. Jerry's in Elizabeth makes a great dog. Eight to a lb natural casing Best that is boiled then finished off on a grill. It is snappy, fresh and delicious.
For German style dogs prepared on a grill, Galloping Hill Inn, Karl Ehmer's cart, and the Weenie Wagon (grilled Thumann's) are three of the best.
hotdoglover at 9:02AM on 09/15/07
Dude!
Thanks for recognizing Lafayette and Athens Coney Island restaurants in downtown Detroit, but, really, you can't disqualify the D because we dress up our dogs with chili sauce, onions and mustard.
It's not fair. Thousands of the dogs we serve up at the hundred of Coney Island restaurants in Coney Detroit are home-grown Koegel's and Dearborn dogs.
It is just wrong to kick us to the curb because we embellish our dogs. There is hardly anyone who doesn's add a slash of mustard or a slide of pickle.
Our Coneys are so popular that in upstate New York and parts of Ontario, similar concoctions are called "Michigans." There is one loud, proud vote for Detroit's dogs.
Coney Detroit
ConeyDetroit at 8:57PM on 09/15/07
Pink's hot dog in LA is, by far, the best hot dog I've ever eaten. I was in Kat'z last night but I didn't try their dogs. They looked tempting but that pastrami is too hard to forgo.
Jason L at 9:36AM on 09/18/07
Next time you're in Katz's get a pastrami sandwich AND a hot dog. Just take half the pastrami sandwich home.
Ed Levine at 10:32AM on 09/18/07
I second the opinion on Hot Doug's. Absolutely a must stop place, especially when they have the French Fries cooked in duck fat. *Sorry, I'm salivating on my keyboard*. Rabbit hot dogs with blueberrys and creme fraiche. Worth the wait.
eatdrinkandbemerry at 4:20PM on 10/05/07
I'm sure if you like bland tomatoes, plain yellow mustard, and raw onion, etc etc... then Chicago dogs are fine. I personally don't like drowning a good beef hotdog with all those condiments. Give me a delectable grilled Hebrew National topped with a slightly spicy mustard and some homemade relish...absolute perfection! If you go this route with a Vienna dog, you will soon realize where it pales in comparison to the much superior Hebrew National dog. Sauerkraut can also be a good option, but it's an acquired taste. I find tomatoes and yellow mustard to be a clash of flavors in any situation. Long live Hebrew National, king of the hotdogs!!!!
jimmyb at 12:11AM on 08/27/08