By Cheri Sicard
Hot dogs: as American as apple pie—but way more varied. While apple pie stays classic, hot dogs change from state to state. From simmered sausages to chili-topped creations, regional hot dogs are packed with local pride and flavor.
The team from Weird History Food dishes out a tasty tour of the most unique regional hot dogs in the U.S.
#1 New York City – Dirty Water Dog: Sabrett carts serve all-beef franks simmered in seasoned water. Mustard, sauerkraut, and onion sauce are the classic toppings.
#2 Detroit – Coney Dogs: Greek immigrants brought Coney Island franks to Detroit. A feud between two brothers launched rival diners: American and Lafayette. The signature: a beanless Greek chili on top.
#3 Paterson, NJ – Hot Texas Wiener: Created in New Jersey, not Texas. Deep-fried franks topped in order with mustard, onions, chili, and secret spices.
#4 Chicago – No Ketchup Allowed: Vienna beef on a poppy seed bun, stacked with mustard, relish, onions, peppers, tomato, a pickle, and celery salt. Never ketchup.
#5 Washington, D.C. – Half-Smoke: Half beef, half pork, spicy and smoky. Grilled and topped with chili and onions.
#6 Cleveland – Polish Boy: Kielbasa with coleslaw, fries, and barbecue sauce. Each spot adds its own twist.
#7 Maine – Red Snappers: Bright red franks in natural casing with a snap, served in top-loaded buns.
#8 Cincinnati – Skyline Chili Dogs: Greek-inspired sweet and spicy chili tops these franks. Secret ingredients? Possibly cinnamon or cloves.
#9 Arizona – Sonoran Dogs: Bacon-wrapped dogs in a bolillo roll with beans, salsa, guac, onions, cheese, and more.
#10 Toledo – Tony Packo’s Hungarian Dog: Split Hungarian sausage with chili sauce. Made famous by MASH* and Burt Reynolds’ autographed bun.
#11 Rhode Island – Hot Wieners: All-beef/pork/veal links topped “all the way” with mustard, meat sauce, onions, and celery salt.
#12 Alaska – Reindeer Dogs: Made from caribou, pork, and beef. Served with Coca-Cola-glazed onions, cream cheese, and mustard.
#13 Pottstown, PA – Texas Tommy: Bacon, pepper jack, and peppers stuffed into a bun. Bonus: a mac-topped version exists.
#14 Newark – Italian Hot Dog: Sausages in pizza bread with potatoes, peppers, and onions. Mustard and red sauce optional.
#15 Hawaii – Puka Dogs: Skinless Polish sausage in a toasted hollow bun with lemon garlic sauce and tropical relishes.
#16 New Jersey – The Ripper: Deep-fried until the casing rips. Crisp and juicy from Rutt’s Hut.
#17 Los Angeles – Street Dogs: Bacon-wrapped “danger dogs” griddled and topped with grilled peppers, onions, and jalapeños.
#18 USA – Corn Dogs: Hot dogs dipped in batter and fried. State fair staple. Multiple cities claim the invention.
#19 Hudson Valley – Mini Dogs: Hot Dog Charlie’s three-inch dogs come with chili and your choice of toppings.
#20 Carolinas – Carolina Dogs: Bright pink franks topped with chili, slaw, and mustard.
#21 Columbus, GA – Scrambled Dogs: A messy masterpiece with chopped dogs, chili, cheese, crackers, and more.
#22 Seattle – Cream Cheese Dog: Bagel-inspired dog with cream cheese, onions, and jalapeños. Perfect for late-night eats.
#23 Kansas City – Reuben Dog: A Reuben sandwich in hot dog form: corned beef, kraut, cheese, and Thousand Island.
Which ones would you want to try? Let us know in the comments!
RELATED
- Hot dog recipes perfect for year-round camping
- Camping evolution: As told by hot dogs
- Poll: If offered a hot dog, hamburger or pizza, what would you most times choose?
##RVDT2628
None. Too much stuff added to the hotdog. Just give me mustard (can be from yellow, whole seed, poupon) with sweet relish and I’m good.
Sounds good, Skip. I do however enjoy a Chicago dog once in a while. Did you know that poppy seed buns are very hard to find? The only sources I found here in Ca. were Amazon and some other out-of-state bakery. Not hard to make your own though.
Wondering if Chuck or any of you remember Mitch’s Hot Dogs just a couple doors down from your office. A Chicago boy with great dogs and NO ketchup.
You left out the best hot dog in the country; indeed, probably the world? NuWay hot dogs! https://nu-wayweiners.com/
Here’s 2 more worth a mention:
https://www.chrishotdogs.com
https://www.facebook.com/people/Grumpy-Dog-Wetumpka/100063506265466/
Looked through this issue three times and still didn’t see what they do in Seattle. Spent a week there and don’t rememner seeing any unusual hot dogs. Oh, well.
Hi, Tom. Here’s what it says about hot dogs in Seattle: “#22 Seattle – Cream Cheese Dog: Bagel-inspired dog with cream cheese, onions, and jalapeños. Perfect for late-night eats.” However, I’ve lived here 78 years and never heard of hot dogs with cream cheese. Maybe it’s because I don’t go out to eat. All I remember are the corndogs on a stick at the Puyallup Fair when I was a kid. Those and the Fisher scones, which were about 10 times bigger, and 1/10th the cost, of what they are now.🤔 Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane
Hoffman sausage company Syracuse NY…yum
Thank you for calling attention to the video, Cheri! Thank you even more for loosely transcribing it. I had numerous lunches of half smokes with chili and sauerkraut while I worked in DC (for a quarter of a century). They were always served following a greeting and with a smile by Huria from her food cart (it was towed, not driven) outside the Forrestal Building along L’Enfant Plaza SW. Among the others listed, the New York was the most attractive. I will seek to try the Alaska version this summer. Have a great day and safe travels!
The toppings and format are all subjective but the best hot dogs are available at butcher shops and, if you can find one, a German deli. Those dogs themselves are deeeeeeeelicious! You can do what you want after that but everything tastes better when you start with the right ingredients.
Except if you put ketchup on a hot dog. There should be laws.