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Wikipedia tells us that "a hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is commonly garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish or sauerkraut." Sure. We're with that. And if you're looking for the simplest of dogs, there are a number of places on this list that will satisfy your needs. But if you want to experience next-level hot dog design, places where the franks are done up Italian-American style and cooked in pizza dough, or prepped with the rigorousness of highbrow cuisine, this list might excite you more.
We're all coming down off the 4th of July high. But probably you weren't at a BBQ where the hot dogs were topped with brisket. For that sort of spin, please proceed directly through the 25 Best Hot Dog Shops in the U.S.
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The Wienery
City: Minneapolis
Address: 414 Cedar Ave. South
Website: wienery.com
The Wienery is a perfect place for the hot dog lover who hasn't chosen a soulmate yet. It's also the perfect place for experimentation; they have seven dogs (one vegan and two vegetarian for the meat-shy) each of which can be dressed 15 different ways, including the Upsetter, which comes with bacon, eggs any style, and cheese!
Flo's Hot Dogs
City: Cape Neddick, Maine
Address: 1359 Route 1
Website: floshotdogs.com
Flo's might actually be more popular for their relish (a sweet tamarind molasses onion concoction) than for their hot dogs. Of course, if you're going to drive all the way to Cape Neddick to stock up on the stuff for summer you might as well grab a half dozen specials because we're assuming you've made a family vacation out of it. It's not unheard of for the line to snake out an hour long when you and your pets and children arrive. But when you leave, money's on you doing so fat and happy.
The Varsity
City: Atlanta
Address: 61 North Avenue Northwest
Website: thevarsity.com
The Varisty is the size of a small airport, though it looks more like an old school drive-in. The building holds 800 people and pumps out some sort of ungodly amount of chili dogs and shakes. Despite providing room for said people and 600 cars, the whole thing runs like a dream. This is the place to be for Yellow Jacket games, when they serve an estimated 30,000 people their infamous $1.83 chili dog (maybe that's why they have to sell so many).
Bike Jim's Gourmet Dogs
City: Denver
Address: 16th & Arapahoe; 2148 Larimer St.
Website: bikerjimsdogs.com
Biker Jim is a sausage man. Working out of a cart, he manages to make multiple types of game sausage like buffalo, elk, rattlesnake, beer brats, and anything else that comes to mind. He usually posts his more creative menu ideas (as well as his location) on his Twitter, so it's not hard to know what's cooking and where. Skilled sausage sold in hot dog fashion, it's enough to make you want to cry, but not in front of Biker Jim. That would be a bad idea.
El Guero Canelo
City: Tucson
Address: 5201 South 12th Ave.; 480 North Oracle Rd.
Website: elguerocanelo.com
While not a hot dog shop primarily, El Guero Canelo is one of the epicenters of the Sonoran hot dog, a Mexican twist on the American staple (in the vein of pambasos). Dogs come wrapped in bacon and are then covered in beans, tomatos, lettuce, cheese, salsa, and, of course, the holy condiment trinity of ketchup, mayonaise, and mustard. It's a lot for one split top bun to handle, especially if you try the innocently named Sammy dog, which doubles your meat and reduces your chance of walking out with a clean shirt by half.
Hot Dog Heaven
City: Orlando, Fla.
Address: 5355 East Colonial Dr.
For the most authentic dog outside of Chicago (and probably more authentic than most in Chi-town) there's Hot Dog Heaven. Vienna all-beef franks in huge poppy seed buns covered in relish mustard, onions, tomatos, peppers, pickle, and sprinkled with celery salt. Oh, and they're huge, on buns that look like hoagie rolls, to be sure your dog is 1/3 meat, 1/3 bun, and 1/3 toppings, the way the good lord intended.
Monster Dogs
City: Seattle
Address: Various locations.
Website: seattlemonsterdogs.com
If you're in the Northwest you can't really escape cream cheese on your hot dog. Fortunately cream cheese fares much better on hot dogs than it does in sushi (which is still baffling). Seattle's best street vendor, Monster Dog knows how to do it right. They coat their over-sized buns with a nice base of cream cheese and then top their dogs with grilled onions for a unique and unforgettable flavor combination, one that, as you get used to it, will dare you to drop your usual condiments on top.
Super Duper Weenie
City: Fairfield, Conn.
Address: 306 Black Rock Turnpike
Website: superduperweenie.com
The most impressive thing about Super Duper Weenie (and it sure as hell isn't the name) is that they make almost every one of their condiments from scratch, which is cool when you talk about chili and bacon, but much more impressive when the list boasts sauerkraut, relish (pickled, then diced), and cheese. This simple code of handmade ethics is something that seems to be almost completely lost on hot dogs, and it really elevates the experience.
Ben's Chili Bowl
City: Washington, D.C.
Address: 1213 U Street NW
Website: benschilibowl.com
Ben's may be the only hot dog shop on this list more legendary than Pinks, and with their one of a kind chili half-smokes, they pack the taste to back up their fame. Ben's has been open since 1948 in a storied spot by the Lincoln Theatre that has welcomed lots of black artists, actors, and activists into its warm embrace. Now it's become a bit touristy (just like Pink's) and has expanded to a second location. You can even get a half-smoke at a Nationals game, and for twice the price!
Otto's Sausage Kitchen
City: Portland, Oregon
Address: 4138 SE Woodstock Blvd.
Website: ottossausage.com
A traditional German sausage shop that's been in business for more than 80 years, Otto's is also one of the few (if not the only) that cooks up their own bounty. Their beef and pork Old Fashioned Weiners are cased and smoked in-store and then grilled up front, where they're served simply with an array of condiments and types of mustard for the blank canvas of your dog. They have all the artisinal snacks and goodies to complete your lunch for sale inside (as well as sausages packaged to go), and a patio to enjoy your spread with a six pack and some carnivorous friends.
Frank
Frank
City: Austin, Texas
Address: 07 Colorado St.
Website: hotdogscoldbeer.com
Frank is a serious chill out spot in the heart (read: heat) of Austin, featuring some mean in-house mastery. Try the "Jackalope," a rabbit, antelope, and pork sausage dog topped with huckleberry compote, sriracha aioli, and cheddar. Or the "Notorious P.I.G.": pork, bacon, jalapeno, and sage sausage topped with macaroni and cheese and Texas barbecue sauce. Wash these suckers down with some bacon infused Maker's Mark and maybe a side of waffle poutine. They even have veggie dogs and chili to substitute (though no veggie bacon, yet).
Senate Pub
City: Cincinnati
Address: 1212 Vine St.
Website: senatepub.com
Let's just get to the menu. The "Korean" is topped with kimchi, short ribs, and pickled cucumbers (Korean bbq tacos, you got company). The "Croque Madame" has beschamel (a mother sauce! on a hot dog!), black forest ham, and a poached egg (beautiful). How about something vegetarian? The "Dan Korman" has red cannelini bean and turkish lentil sausage, sun dried tomatoes, shaved fennel, arugula, and goat cheese (the most delicious vegetarian hot dog ever heard). The food speaks for itself (commentary was provided for those lacking in imagination).
Gene and Jude’s Red Hot Stand
City: River Grove, Ill.
Address: 2720 River Rd.
Rachael Ray's top hot dog in America (the Depression Dog) is a simple thing, a Chicago red hot topped with fries. The dogs are cheap, the place is open late, and it promotes old-school parking lot revelry. It's an Illinois treasure that is completely without ketchup on the premises (amen). Except for the tamales, this greasy goodness is all they sell, and it's cash only so come prepared.
Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace
City: Columbus, Ohio
Address: 248 South 4th St.
Website: dirtyfrankscolumbus.com
While the Senate Pub may represent the haute dog culture you've heard so much about, Dirty Frank's represents everything crazy and playful about hot dogs without forgetting that excess is really what makes hot dogs what they are: a wonderful, affordable mess (for instance, they have a Primanti's style Pittsburgh dog). Each frank tastes unique while giving props to many different hot dog styles. They certainly always have their own personality. Without a doubt the best place to eat a hot dog with brisket on it, and the only place on earth that serves sriracha cole slaw, cream cheese, and mustard.
Puka Dog
City: Honolulu
Address: 2301 Kuhio Ave.
Website: pukadog.com
Though Hawaii may enjoy a Hank's Haute for a more authentic hot dog, the local mutation is undeniably intersting and original. Puka Dogs involve buns freshly baked and then staked to fit a hot dog. They are then filled with sweet relishes and other fruity condiments and sauces that come from what look like beer taps, before the hot dog slides into its little cubby. The clever and weird final product is addictive and visceral, and of course, still somehow messy (or it wouldn't be a hot dog).
4505 Meats
City: San Francisco
Address: 1 Ferry Building, Suite 260, Ferry Bldg Marketplace
Website: 4505meats.com
Ryan Farr makes some of the best artisan meat products in the Bay area by focusing on one thing at a time. First his chicharrón became a thing of legend. Then his burger was dubbed the best in the city without having more than a trailer at the farmers market. Now Mr. Farr is trying his hand at the hot dog and with mind blowing results. His take on the hot dog is a bacon filled case stuffed with meat madness. Try it with chicharrónes on top and you might just forget how to speak. This is supposedly his take on the Midwestern dog of his childhood. Some romantic and magical memory. Luckily you can have these things shipped to your house.
Olneville New York System
City: Providence, R.I.
Address: 20 Plainfield St.
Website: olneyvillenewyorksystem.com
This Rhode Island staple involves a veal and pork wiener (don't call it a hot dog) with cheese, meat sauce, grilled onions and celery salt. It's a pretty specific flavor, and the locals couldn’t live without it. Eaten with fries served "beef stew," which somehow means ketchup and vinegar, I'm sure you're supposed to drink something weird with it too, but that's just another part of the ritual. And you'll have to go there to find out.
Boston Speed Dog
City: Boston
Address: 42 Newmarket Sq.
Website: bostonspeeddog.com
Boston Speed Dog is named ironically for the cook who manned the truck before the current slinger (like how people call body builders tiny. But why people give nicknames to the obscenely strong we don't know). It's a powerhouse located in the parking lot of a meat and produce district. Here, half pound, all-beef dogs marinate in brown sugar and apple cider until you order them, and can be topped with a short but sweet list of topping like sliced vidalia onions and sweet cranberry relish. And though the regulars would tell you to get it with everything, only the brave should order two.
Jimmy Buff's
CITY: East Hanover, N.J.
ADDRESS: 354 New Jersey 10
WEBSITE: jimmybuff.com
While the Sonoran pushes the line between hot dog and taco, the New Jersey Italian Dog definitely infuses the American staple with a bit of the old country (if the old country was the home of the Jersey Shore). This mammoth with either one or two deep fried dogs uses pizza dough to make a half moon bread dish for the massive serving of grilled onions, peppers, and deep fried potatos. Like something out of Epic Meal Time (only no one's laughing) this dog is perhaps one of the most original of all the regional specialties.
Bark
City: Brooklyn
Address: 474 Bergen St.
Website: barkhotdogs.com
What really impresses about Bark, besides the quality takes on classic dogs, is the commitment to full disclosure. How many hot dog shops—no, how many restaurants do you know of that make easily available the sources for everything they produce, right down to the reclaimed pine that makes up the tables and the vendor for their green fuel. This is the future of food. We'd be cheering, but it'd be impolite with our mouths full of bacon cheddar dog. A bacon cheddar dog where we can trace the history of virtually every component.
Pink's Hot Dogs
City: Los Angeles
Address 709 North LaBrea Ave.
Website: pinkshollywood.com
Pink's is so famous it's almost hard to sprinkle even these grains of publicity on the mountain they've accumulated over the years. But when making a hot dog list, it's really hard to replace this staple (though Oki Dog was certainly in contention). The lines are long and hard, the hot dogs seem to be named after celebrties, films, and shows almost completely at random, and the place has the natural cheesiness of a dingy Little Italy joint with twice as many photos of half smiling celebrities, but those 10" smoked Hoffy's are still somehow good enough to come out of all the pageantry relatively unscathed.
Hot Doug's
City: Chicago
Address: 3324 North California Ave.
Website: hotdougs.com
Hot Doug's sits on top as the best hot dog shop in America because they can do it both ways. That is to say, they have arguably one of the best Chicago dogs out there for a startling $1.75 (unless you're a stickler for the two tomatoes, two sports rule) and they run a special menu of gourmet sausages that sets the bar for extravagant and creative across the nation. The specials are food porn; here's some snippets: the Lamb, Pork, and Spinach Loukaniko (Greek pork sausage) with Artichoke Pesto, Mediterranean Olives, Feta Cheese, and Lemon-Dijon Foam, (foam!) or how about the Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage with Truffle Aioli, Foie Gras Mousse, and Fleur de Sel (brain shutting down). Just go read the menu already, or hell, book a flight. It'll only take a couple of days to eat the menu.
Heid's
City: Liverpool, N.Y.
Address: 305 Oswego St.
Website: heidsofliverpool.com
Heid's looks just like any other old school diner style restaurant, with checker patterns everywhere and code words all over the menu, but they make a dog called a "Coney" that's like nothing you've ever seen. A white dog consisting of pork, veal, and egg whites, this little guy has a flavor somewhere in between a beef dog and a knackwurst, but tastes great dressed in all the usual. Get one Texas hot with chili, or smothered with chili and relish.
Rawley's Drive In
City: Fairfield
Address: 1886 Post Rd.
With Martha Stewart's stamp of approval, what more convincing do you need? This Connecticut restaurant is famous for its chili cheese dogs and comfortable atmosphere. The owner swears this isn't a fast food joint despite the menu of hot dogs, fries and soda. But these hot dogs are worth the 20 minute wait.
Oki's Dog
City: Los Angeles
Address: 860 North Fairfax Ave and 5056 West Pico Blvd
After leaving the bar, there are few things that grease a drunk stomach quite like L.A.'s famous Oki's Dog. This badness comes with no bun, but is instead two dogs, chili, cheese, and pastrami wrapped in a tortilla. It's a helluva mess, but it packs a wallop of flavor and is nothing less than life-saving in the din of late night lighting.