Unique Hot Dog Styles You Need To Try
An ode to the dog — the hot dog that is. In the same league as apple pie, fireworks, and the bald eagle, the hot dog is pretty highly revered in Americana. These open-faced sandwiches are so American, that they were once even served on the White House lawn. In 1939, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt served up the casual sandwiches, with other provisions, during a picnic with visiting royals King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, reports Culture Trip, adding that Elizabeth, unfamiliar with the food, needed advice on how to properly eat it.
But as American as hot dogs may seem, the food's history and geography is a lot broader. Culture Trip postulates that hot dogs, or their ancestors at least, date all the way back to ancient Rome and Greece. The modern dog was most likely brought to the U.S. with German immigrants in the 19th century, specifically to New York City. It was there that areas like Coney Island became the breeding ground for what would become an American staple. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, hot dogs gradually spread across the country and became a cultural culinary hit well beyond the Big Apple. Nowadays, the hot dog has made its home all across America, and many states and regions have created their own unique styles. Read on to discover the hot dogs around the country you've got to try.
Coney dog
Is the Coney dog really from Coney Island? As per Smithsonian Magazine, confusingly, no. It would be easy to believe this is the case, since a vendor from the New York amusement park is largely credited for introducing the first hot dogs in the U.S., but the Coney dog itself has a much more complex history. It starts with Macedonian and Greek immigrants who came through New York, and brought this meaty treat with them as they moved around the country.
Perhaps these migrants appropriated the Coney dog's name from their experience trying hot dogs in New York. But regardless of however it got there, the official Coney dog is actually a tradition born in the midwest, owing its name and its famous recognition to diners in Michigan (via The Detroit Historical Society). The Coney dog is a beef frankfurter topped with beanless chili, white onion, and mustard contained in a soft bun. The Smithsonian also suggests that adding a beefy topping to hot dogs to create a chili dog may have been inspired by saltsa kima, a slightly acidic topping made of beef and tomatoes, popular in Greece and Macedonia.
Memphis dog
When it comes to American barbecue, it's no secret that Tennessee just does it right. As per Meathead's Amazing Ribs, a central resource for barbecue know-how, there's a lot that makes the southern state's slabs so scrumptious. The site argues that it's charcoal that brings this barbecue to life, and the signature tomato and molasses-based sauces that add a rich and nuanced flavor to whatever meat they grace.
Given the wide love, and range, of barbecue in the state, it's no surprise that hot dogs would get in on the action. Interesting to note, some hot dog joints in Tennessee trace their roots back to Greek immigrants as well. Nonetheless, Memphis hot dogs have come to adjust uniquely to the regional style over time. A Memphis hot dog features a beef Frankfurter wrapped in bacon, paired with Tennessee-style barbecue sauce and covered with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions (via Boar's Head). It's not something you eat for your health, but boy is it tasty.
Crab mac and cheese dog
If there's one thing the fine folks of Baltimore pride themselves on it's some good Maryland blue crab. It shouldn't come as a surprise that they'll try to put it on just about everything, hot dogs included. According to Sports Illustrated, Maryland's famous crab mac and cheese hot dog really rose to popularity at the Camden Yards baseball stadium, a more than fitting place to create what may be your new favorite game day treat.
This variation is one that certainly won't be mistaken for light fare, featuring a hot dog topped with a heaping scoop of mac and cheese and a gracious lump of crab meat. And of course, it wouldn't be Baltimore without a healthy dusting of Old Bay to top things off. It doesn't get much more charming in Charm City! So next time you find yourself at the Inner Harbor, pop over to Stuggy's, the alleged home of this fine hot dog. As one reviewer exalted, she and her husband ordered just one to split, thinking it'd be too much, and then regretted that they couldn't have the dish all to themselves.
L.A. street dog
The Los Angeles street dog, or danger dog, as it's locally known, is at heart a nightlife delight (via Contra Costa Times). There is some danger to this dog, as it is wrapped in bacon and fried, and then topped with whatever the heart desires. This street food may just be the best way to stave off a hangover after a night out, or at least have a little fun before said hangover kicks in.
Danger dogs are another hot dog import, this time from northern Mexico. In fact, some argue that these should be called Sonoran dogs, in homage to their origins (via Vice). Traditionally, the Mexican hot dog would be topped with ingredients as wide-ranging as fresh tomato, beans, guacamole, salsa, crema, and even Ruffles chips and held on local bolillo bread.
It didn't take long for the hot dog to make its way North, hitting SoCal and then making it up to the Bay Area, where it hit a coveted level of "cult" popularity, according to Contra Costa Times. As you can imagine, the secret didn't stay in California for long, and now you can find this style hot dog in cities all over.
The scrambled dog
The scrambled dog may not be for everyone, but for one community in Georgia it is everything. As reported by Flashlight and a Biscuit, this particular dog is a specialty of Columbus, Georgia. According to lore, the recipe came to be when one entrepreneur noticed his patrons enjoying both his hot dogs and chili. It didn't take a stroke of genius to guess that the two dishes would be better together or, "scrambled." Soon, the hefty recipe became a local staple!
By the '40s, the local Dinglewood Pharmacy took their swing at the popular recipe, and after the original home of the scrambled dog closed, Dinglewood's become the sole source of this local treat. The scrambled dog includes a hot dog bun and a diced up hot dog completely covered in chili and topped with oyster crackers and pickles. The entire dish, which arguably features more chili than anything else, is typically served in a bowl and with a spoon. And those who are looking for a little more oomph can also add hot sauce and chopped white onions.
This dish is not for the faint of heart or stomached. The scrambled dog strikes an emotional chord with the region, and was even reportedly brought to the White House by Jimmy Carter. Nonetheless, the vibrant dish stays as down-home as ever, and is still linked to Dinglewood Pharmacy and served the exact same way.
The white hot
The white hot is a hot dog that, as you might expect, is paler than its traditional counterparts. But don't let its muted color fool you, it can be just as flavorful. The white dog is a specialty of Rochester, New York (via Paste Magazine). It's believed that the dogs were introduced in America by southern German immigrants who were seeking to remake the Bavarian weißwurst staple. White hots are made from a combination of pork, beef, and veal, all of which are uncured and unsmoked, which is how they get their whiter color (via Farmer's Almanac).
Originally, white hots had a heavy-handed seasoning because they were made from cheaper meats that didn't taste as good. But nowadays, white hots are a higher-end treat made with only the best meat. When making a white hot, Pasta Magazine says to always sear the dog so it has a good texture. And if you want to try it the original Rochester way, enjoy your white hot topped with a traditional meat sauce made with ground beef, onions, hot sauce, and lots of spices.
North Carolina Bright Leaf hot dog
It's no secret that North Carolina has some of the best barbecue around. But some will swear just as much by the state's hot dog scene. And according to Our State, one brand of hot dogs has taken the southern state by storm — the Bright Leaf dog. As red as a fire truck, stop sign, or flame, these hot dogs strike a unique balance of sweet and tangy, rounded out with a secret spice blend that just leaves you wanting more.
First created around the 1940s by the Carolina Packers meat-processing plant in Smithfield, these dogs have cultivated a massive following throughout North Carolina and beyond. The greatness in this hot dog is really its simplicity, and all you need to do to enjoy it is make sure it's served charred and topped to the heart's delight. For anyone looking to bring some southern charm into their home, these bright red beauties are available for order through Carolina Packers.
New Jersey Italian hot dog
Folks in New Jersey like to do things their own way when it comes to food. But, as per Only in Your State, the New Jersey Italian hot dog, is really a departure from the expected. According to local legend, the New Jersey Italian hot dog is jaw-droppingly enrobed in pizza bread and then piled on with an enticing mountain of fried potatoes, onions, and peppers.
The New Jersey Italian hot dog can be traced all the way back to the 1930s, specifically to restaurateur Jimmy "Buff" Racioppi. His family-run restaurant in Kenilworth still endures to this day, and aficionados will say that this statewide delicacy is still the most delicious at its point of origin. As Only in Your State notes, the bread is still made fresh, so you'll be sure to enjoy the finest while indulging in one of New Jersey's most unique delicacies.
Reindeer Dog
The reindeer dog is something that is so unique to Alaska, it's probably the only state that could conceive of such a treat. As it turns out, the name isn't a cheeky metaphor. The reindeer dog is a pork and beef sausage blended with, as the name implies, reindeer or caribou meat, according to Only in Your State. But that's not the only thing that makes this northern hot dog style unique. It's also traditionally topped with mouthwatering Coca-Cola glazed onions (via UFCW).
Of course, as long as you have the right meat between your buns, these hot dogs can be topped with whatever strikes your fancy, from the more common condiments like ketchup and mustard, to cheese and jalapeños. The only really important suggestion that Only in Your State stands by is to make sure to buy your reindeer dog from a street vendor. It just simply doesn't get better than that. Truly, no one does hot dogs like the Alaskans, and this tender, savory, and yet sweet dish is something to write home about.
Kansas City hot dog
Given the beef and barbecue that dominates Kansas City cuisine, the city's traditional hot dog style will get just about any meat eater's mouth watering. But it's worth noting that there's a bit of discourse surrounding what exactly constitutes a Kansas City dog. When ordering a KC dog, some would serve up a classic hot dog in a standard bun with a good helping of sauerkraut, topped with melted Swiss cheese and mustard, like over at Doglicious Hotdogs. But others would object to this order. Men's Journal asserts that a real Kansas City dog is going to be much more meat-heavy and embracing of the city's barbecue tradition. The article argues a true Kansas City dog is topped with burnt ends and barbecue sauce along with bread and butter pickles.
So, sauerkraut or no sauerkraut? And what about the barbecue? To help clear up the discrepancy over this divisive hot dog, one Kansas City NPR journalist asked a group of experts and connoisseurs to clear the air. While the answers varied, it seems, at least, one through-line in current Kansas City hot dog consumption is barbecue sauce. And these days, burnt ends and or pulled pork are more popular KC dog toppings, suggesting that the era of the Swiss cheese and sauerkraut has come to an end.
Seattle dog
The Seattle dog, what a sight to behold and a bite to be had! Some might recoil at the idea of cream cheese on a hot dog, as is the Seattle way, but there's some history behind this, according to Seattle Magazine. Allegedly, the dog was first concocted in the late '80s by a bagel vendor named Hadley Long. Long had made a name for himself selling "bagel sticks," his popular elongated bagels. It seems like customers on the go were getting a hankering for some classic street meat, and eventually Long gave into consumer demand for hot dogs. As such, these bagel dogs would come served with a cream cheese topping to make a brunch like no other.
While the bagel has largely been replaced with a bun once more, the cream cheese has surprisingly endured. As Seattle Eater points out, cream cheese has even become synonymous with Seattle-style hot dogs and will be the expected topping when ordering. Grilled onions, peppers, and even sauerkraut make for other traditional toppings today.
Montreal Dog
It's no surprise that the delicious tradition that is hot dogs would make their way across our northern border, and the Montreal dog serves as testament to that. America's Test Kitchen notes that the city actually boasts two styles of hot dogs — the steamie and the toastie. As the names imply, a steamie hot dog is steamed, while a toastie is toasted, along with its bun.
Similar to other hot dogs on this list, the Montreal dog can be dressed in any which way you prefer. But a truly unique Montreal addition is to add cabbage slaw. The addition of the slaw does quite a bit for the already wonderful hot dog, adding a bit of crunch to the dish, a pop of color, and some nice acidity to cut through the otherwise heaviness of the street meat. You may not expect fusion cuisine when it comes to street food, but the Montreal dog, whether toasted or steamed, exists at the perfect crossroads between cultures and cuisines.
Alligator style hot dog
We would be remiss to talk about North American hot dog styles without bringing up the popular alligator style hot dog trend. Not, it's not made with gator, but it is a variation on a classic hot dog recipe. Somewhat banally, alligator style simply means adding a pickle spear to a typical hot dog, served right inside the bun alongside the meat. It's not hard to guess where this style got its name, but adding a pickle does add a little crunch, and a burst of acidic flavor to the traditional hot dog order (via MSN).
Of course, for some hot dog lovers, this may be reminiscent of the legendary Chicago hot dog, which is typically an all-beef hot dog that has been lovingly, and heapingly, topped with, onions, tomatoes, peppers, relish, mustard, and, of course, a pickle spear (via Block Club Chicago). MSN notes, however, that alligator style has also cropped up with other hot dog variations, such as in Cincinnati, where dogs are traditionally topped with both chili. While some hot dog recipes have long features a pickle, perhaps the 2020s mark the rise of the alligator in hot dog history.