Hot dogs are a fan-favorite among all Americans. Whether it’s at the big game, a quick snack or meal on the go, or even a focal point of your backyard barbecue, our love affair with hot dogs is an enduring one.
Not surprisingly, each region of the US has a hot dog style all their own. The next time you find yourself outside your home grounds, check out one of these 7 best regional American hot dog styles and find a new way to love that classic hot dog!
1. New York Hot Dog
Legendary in its own right, New York is one of those places you can’t pass on a hot dog. All-beef and kosher, New Yorkers tend to keep them simple. They’re griddled and then topped off with sauerkraut and a hit of mustard for classic perfection.
2. Chicago Hot Dog
In the Windy City, they take Vienna beef franks and steam them up. Then they fit them into a poppy seed bun and top them with an array of delights. Tomato slices, dill pickle spears, chopped white onions, green onion relish celery salt, peppers, and yellow mustard.
3. Seattle Hot Dog
What makes the franks (or sometimes Polish sausages) that they serve as hot dogs different in Seattle is that it is grilled and then split in half. It’s then added to a toasted bun where it gets covered in cream cheese, grilled onions and cabbage plus jalapenos. Natives will also dose them up with BBQ sauce, sriracha, or pico de gallo for an extra hit of boldness.
4. Sonoran Hot Dog
In Arizona, they wrap their hot dogs in bacon. As if that didn’t get you to book a flight right away, they put it in bolillo roll and then add pinto beans, chopped onions and tomatoes, mayo, mustard, and jalapenos. You’ll often be given an option to add salsa verde, guacamole, and cheese too. Go for it!
5. Kansas City Reuben Dog
In Kansas City, MO, the hot dogs are bred with the iconic deli classic Reuben sandwich. The all-beef franks are topped off with melted cheese, sauerkraut, caraway seeds, and thousand island dressing, a perfect breed indeed!
6. Slaw Hot Dog
Head down south and you’ll find all-beef hot dogs with an interesting slaw topping. It’s coleslaw meets minced chili with raw onion, what they call BBQ-slaw. It’s incredibly unique, not to mention addictive!
7. Detroit Coney Dog
They might be a little bit smaller than the hot dogs you know and love but these all-beef babies are covered in a very distinctive sauce made for meat-lovers. Called ‘Coney Sauce,’ this stuff is more or less a chili without the beans. Traditionally, it was made with beef hearts though you’re sure to find variations on it around the city. Along with that sauce, the dogs here get chopped onions, mustard, and a heaping of shredded cheese.
While we might all know and love hot dogs, Americans from coast-to-coast have unique ways of enjoying them. Try them and you just might find a new favorite!
