Hot dogs will always be considered one of the top foods of the summer. There’s just something about eating a hot dog poolside that hits different. As a kid who was a very picky eater, I enjoyed eating my hot dogs plain: no ketchup, no mustard, and not even a bun. As my taste buds developed, I realized just how many delicious ways you can dress your hot dog there are.
Depending on where you are in America, the way a hot dog is dressed can vary. In New York City, a street cart dog is typically dressed with sauerkraut, onions, ketchup and mustard. In Chicago, hot dogs are placed in a poppy seed bun and then topped with pickles, tomatoes, relish, and mustard.
The topping options for hot dogs are endless and super yummy! Here’s a guide on how to dress your hot dog this summer.
Classic Toppings
These toppings are your standard dressings that can either be solo or you can combine them for your dog.
Of course, I have to start with the timeless classic topping of hot dogs: ketchup. You simply can’t go wrong with a hot dog topped with an enormous amount of ketchup. If you don’t like ketchup, there’s something seriously wrong with your taste buds. Not only does ketchup belong on top of the hot dog, but it also belongs on the side to dip your dog into. You can never have too much ketchup.
I can’t forget about ketchup’s bestie, mustard. Even though I prefer ketchup over mustard, I can’t deny the fact that the ketchup-mustard combo on a hot dog is elite. If you want to truly elevate your dog, switch out the yellow mustard for Dijon mustard. Trust me.
If you’re a fan of pickled foods, then relish is the hot dog topping for you. Essentially a pickled cucumber jam, relish has both a sweet and tart taste. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it does add an interesting flavor to your dog. You can choose between regular and sweet relish, depending on your taste. I prefer sweet: it adds a fresh flavor.
Again, if you love that acidic, vinegar taste, you should add pickled onions to your hot dog. They’re tangy and sweet, adding a burst of flavor to your hot dog.
Beef Chili
Beef chili is the main ingredient in what is called a “chili dog.” It’s simply a hot dog topped with ground beef chili, onions, and cheese. As expected, it is very messy to eat, so remember to have napkins nearby. It’s totally worth it though, especially if you enjoy the taste of nachos on a hot dog.
There are multiple regional variations of this like the Coney Dog and West Virginia Dog. At Casper’s, a hot dog restaurant in San Francisco, California, the best way to dress a hot dog is with mustard, relish, tomatoes, onions, and cheese. Paul Rustigian, the general manager at Casper’s, said this is called “a cheese dog with everything.”
Chicago Dog
Now to the complex toppings. It'd be a crime not to start with Windy City's classic, the Chicago Dog. The dog features a poppy seed bun with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickle, peppers, and celery salt. The tomatoes are to be sliced like wedges and nestled next to the dog not on top. Ketchup isn't needed here!
Sonoran Dog
Bacon lovers, this Mexican dog is for you. The dogs are wrapped in bacon and then grilled.
Top your dog with mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. MuyDelish recommends eating Sonoran dogs with Chiles Toreados as the hot dog places in Mexico serve them with these chiles.
Cheese Coneys
This dog originates from Cincinnati, OH and it's more cheese than anything else. This dog features beef chili, yellow mustard, onions, and LOTS of shredded cheddar cheese. The goal here isn't to melt the cheese, but to make sure it's piled on top like a cheese mountain.
Kansas City Dogs
These dogs are the reason for the "are hot dogs sandwiches" argument. Just like a Rueben sandwich, this dog has Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, caraway seeds, and Thousand Island dressing. Feel free to add a pickle in there too!
The L.A. Dog
Another bacon-wrapped dog, what's not to love? The Los Angeles dog is topped with sweet sauteed peppers and white onions. You can also add ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, and poblano peppers to your dog.
New York Dog
Those hot dog trucks on every corner in NYC are the way to go if you're in need of a hot dog fix. Sure you can go for a standard ketchup or mustard, but we're here to be maximalists. The classic New York-style hot dog (a boiled beef or pork) is topped with a tangy brown mustard, sauteed onions, sauerkraut, and pickled relish.
Puka Dog
A store called Puka Dogs in Kauai, Hawaii is the mastermind behind these dogs.
The word “puka” in Hawaiian translates to the hole, which explains how this dog is assembled. Essentially, a long bread roll is pierced with a skewer to nestle a steamed dog inside. Toppings are also inside the hole including four garlic lemon sauces, tropical relishes, and mustard.