Hot Dog Toppings - Regional Hot Dogs
Hot Dog Toppings Around the World
Folks can get pretty particular about hot dog toppings, and their locale often determines what makes for a fantastic frank. New Yorkers will scoff at a mild mustard, Cincinnatians are sticklers for Greek-style chili, and Chicagoans will get all wound up if their dogs are disorganized. We've rounded up the tastiest, craziest hot dog toppings from all over the globe. Release the hounds!
Nathan Ellis Perkel
New York City Hot Dog
New Yorkers are known for their straightforward style -- and so are their hot dogs. Some spicy mustard and a handful of kraut is all the classic NYC frank requires.
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Nathan Ellis Perkel
Coney Island Hot Dog
The East Coast's favorite seedy seashore destination birthed an equally iconic dog, topped with mustard, then smothered in chili and onions.
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Nathan Ellis Perkel
West Virginia/Carolina "Slawdog"
The classic Slawdog -- which originated in West Virginia and migrated south -- boasts cole slaw, mustard and onions, but variations include vinegar slaw and optional chili.
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Nathan Ellis Perkel
Cincinnati "Cheese Coney"
It's no surprise that the chili capital of the Midwest drowns its hot dogs in their famous, soupy fare, but they also load on generous handfuls of shredded cheese to differentiate from their Coney brethren. Franks are also shortened to allow more room for toppings. Raw onions, anyone?
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Nathan Ellis Perkel
Chicago Hot Dog
Chicagoans are hardcore about their hot dogs. If built correctly, each ingredient will be active in every bite: A steamed, all-beef hot dog is snuggled into a steamed poppyseed bun, then topped with yellow mustard, "nuclear" relish, chopped onions, two tomato wedges, a pickle spear, two sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt.
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Nathan Ellis Perkel
Rhode Island "NY System Hot Wieners"
Don't call them hot dogs! These wieners -- made famous by Olneyville -- are renowned for the manner in which they're dressed: The chef lines up as many bare wieners as he can from wrist to elbow, then layers on meat sauce, chopped onion, mustard, and celery salt.
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Olneyville New York System Hot Wieners
New Jersey "Breakfast Dog"
This bacon-wrapped rendition originated in Tijuana, where it earned the name "Danger dog" due to its questionable quality. New Jersey appropriated the dicey snack, tossed on a fried egg and some melted cheese, and called it breakfast.
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Nathan Ellis Perkel
Kansas City
The Kansas City hot dog is wrapped in melted swiss cheese, then generously topped with sauerkraut. It is the frank afficionado's answer to the Reuben sandwich, a beloved K.C. staple.
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Nathan Ellis Perkel
Seattle-Style Dog
Seattle-style hot dogs are slathered with cream cheese and onions, and many Pacific Northwest establishments offer regional-fave salmon dogs as an alternative.
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Nathan Ellis Perkel
Recent Comments
salempost1 10:16:54 AM Aug 23 2009
New Jersey is the hot dog capital of the world. We have the best brands and more styles and types of hot dogs than anywhere else. That said, the abomination called the Jersey breakfast dog is not popular or even known in N.J. Do your research. One place pushed this type of dog. They are now out of business. There may be some places that try to sell one, copying off the now defunct Amazing Hot Dog. As for the Italian Hot Dog, this Jersey original was invented in Newark (north jersey) in 1932. What you see described here is the inferior, bastardized South Jersey version sold there and in pizzerias. In fact, Casino Tony Goes is gone. A real Italian Hot dog uses pizza bread (not sub or hoagie rolls) beef hot dogs (not beef/pork), sliced potatoes (not french fries) and fries (not grills) the ingredients. Casino Tony Goes came after Jimmy Buff's and were forced to cease calling themselves the "originator" of this sandwich.John Fox, organizer of the Annual New Jersey Hot Dog Tour
nothingtangible 04:57:00 PM Aug 22 2009
It is here that the essential step to cooking a dog takes place... the already cooked dog is browned almost to the point of looking burned in spots and the skin splits open signaling the moment to place the dog on the lightly toasted bun of choice. Now I don't really know what brand of dog they used, but THE best dogs ever came from one of three places in Long Branch, New Jersey... decades ago, there was Tracy's, then Pistol Pete's and the famous Max's Hot Dogs! :P
nothingtangible 04:56:14 PM Aug 22 2009
The bun a dog sits on is rarely mentioned, yet it is an essential piece to the whole dog experience. To some extent, having the typical side split bun is the "standard" to which all buns are compared... and the side split is probably one of the messiest buns to hold tons of toppings. Then there are practically unlimited toppings for dogs, but THE most important item in the dog eating experience is the dog itself! In MY opinion, the only "real" dog has a natural casing... most good dog makers have both "skinless" and "natural casing" dogs, but NOTHING beats a skin dog! Slow fried on a flat griddle, the skin dog slowly browns evenly... when you place the order, the dogs are moved to the hot side of the griddle. It is here that the essential step to cooking a dog takes place... the already cooked dog is browned almost to the point of looking burned in spots and the skin splits open signaling the moment to place the dog on the lightly toasted bun of choice. Now I don't really know what bra
jaydee9194 04:44:17 PM Aug 22 2009
If your a bills fan stop at Taffey's in Orchard Park for a real treat . GREAT hotdogs.
foss924 03:57:58 PM Aug 22 2009
Blvd. Drinks in Jersey City, the hotdogs and chili are the best
occasionaltheatr 03:15:50 PM Aug 22 2009
Roast Grill, Raleigh,NC...since 1936..burn' em
fail52 03:01:44 PM Aug 22 2009
Willies Hot Dog stand of Caroga Lake, NY which was inoperation in the 50's,60's,70's. He has the BEST Hot Dog with a Meat Sause. It wasn't a chili sause, but a special blend of his. What I would give to fin out how it was made. If anyone reads this that can remember it, add your comments.
newjeff121 03:00:34 PM Aug 22 2009
The common Hot Dog is boring, for real flavor you need to use a proper sausage. But I do get a kick out of PBS’s A Hot Dog Show, even if it is a decade old.
oceancorvette 02:39:14 PM Aug 22 2009
Detroit by far has the BEST coney dog.....famous family recipe chili and natural casing hotdog that snaps when you bite into it,topped with mustard and sweet vidalia onions in a steamed bun....ummmmmmmmmmm Need to have some shipped to me asap. They have been serving coneys for almost a century there and since I have now moved from Michigan i can have them shipped to me here in Los Angeles.
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- Hot Dog Taste Test
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- Steven Raichlen's Hot Dog Technique
