Some of America's best hot dogs are defined by their toppings, but one that stands apart due to its unique production is Maine's "red snapper" dog, which takes its name from the bright red hue and the satisfying snapping sound accompanying every bite. Their exact origins are hard to track down, but easily the most famous purveyor of this unique hot dog is W.A. Beans & Sons, a Bangor, Maine butcher that has been making hot dogs since 1918.

The red color of these hot dogs can come from a variety of different sources, but most often, it is simply obtained through the use of good old-fashioned food dye. Manufacturers used this color as a clever marketing tactic, as the bright red color supposedly helped red snapper stand out from the other brown or gray dogs offered at the time.

The "snap" is a signature of the all-natural casings commonly used to make red snappers, which are typically made using parts of animal intestines, specifically lamb. These natural casings are loaded with collagen, giving them more structure and a satisfying snap when you bite into them.