The Best Hot Dogs in Every State and Washington, D.C.

From classic to gourmet, we sampled hundreds of franks to find the tastiest ones from coast to coast

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AND THE WIENER IS ...

Food Travel - People Food - PInk’s -Chili Cheese DogKyatchi’s Yakosoba Dog topped with stir fried soba noodles and Japanese mayoMike's Hot DogsChicago-style dog with as pickle spear
Victor Protasio

PEOPLE Food partnered with the editors of Food & Wine to find the best hot dogs across in every state and Washington, D.C. Click through to find what our tasters deemed the most delicious dog near you.

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ALABAMA

alabama

Dew Drop Inn

1808 Old Shell Rd, Mobile

Opened in 1924, the restaurant offers an Upside Down Dog: sauerkraut, chili, mustard and ketchup slathered in a bun with a wiener placed on top.

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ALASKA

alaska 2

International House of Hotdogs

415 L St, Anchorage

A specialty rarely found outside the state, the reindeer Polish sausage in the McKinley Dog is dressed with sautéed onions and their secret chipotle crème.

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ARIZONA

El Guero Canelo in Arizona

El Guero Canelo

Multiple Locations

The Sonoran—which received the James Beard Foundation's America's Classics award this year—boasts a sweet Mexican roll filled with a bacon-wrapped dog, pinto beans, tomatoes, grilled onions, and a fiery jalapeño sauce.

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ARKANSAS

arkansas

The Original Scoop Dog

5508 J.F.K. Blvd, North Little Rock

City-inspired offerings—like the Kansas City Dog with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese—are the perfect start to a meal that ends with frozen custard.

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CALIFORNIA

Brando V1 007

Pink's

709 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles

What began as a family hot-dog cart in 1939 has become an institution: There's everything from a classic Chili Cheese Dog to the Emeril Lagasse "Bam" Dog with mustard, onions, cheese, jalapeños, bacon and slaw.

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COLORADO

Biker Jims in Colorado

Biker Jim's

2148 Larimer St, Denver

A former repo man, owner Jim Pittenger has created a hot-dog haven with custom cuts and locally sourced ingredients. Try the Elk Jalapeño Cheddar or Rattlesnake-and-Pheasant Frank.

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CONNECTICUT

Blackies

Blackie's Hot Dog Stand

2200 Waterbury Rd, Cheshire

Their Connecticut-style sausages—quick-fried in hot oil until blistered and crisp—can be topped with Blackie's famous spicy, pickle-free relish.

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DELAWARE

Johnnie's Dog House in Delaware

Johnnie's Dog House

3401 Concord Pike, Wilmington

The Delaware Destroyer consists of two plump sausages piled into a 6-in. hoagie roll and smothered in creamy mac and cheese, chili, grilled onions and hot sauce.

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FLORIDA

Hot Dog Heaven in Florida

Hot Dog Heaven

5355 E Colonial Dr, Orlando

A Windy City native, owner Mike Feld makes an authentic Chicago Dog with tomatoes, mustard, onions, bright green relish and a celery salt made in his hometown.

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GEORGIA

Mike's Hot Dogs

Mike's Hot Dogs

5948 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs

These snappy Vienna beef sausages are inspired by the classic Chicago Dog—and are served on steamed poppy seed buns.

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HAWAII

Puka Dog in Hawaii

Puka Dog

2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr, Koloa

The fresh buns here are baked with a hole, or Puka, in the center before the sausage goes in with a secret garlic-lemon sauce, one of six tropical relishes and Aunt Lilikoi's passion fruit mustard.

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IDAHO

Franco's Dog House in Idaho

Franko's Dog House

2700 E Seltice Way #6, Post Falls

The family-owned business prides itself on seasonal specialties like elk and buffalo dogs. Or pick the Huckleberry Hound topped with huckleberry chipotle, mozzarella and bell pepper.

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ILLINOIS

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Gene & Jude's

2720 N River Rd, River Grove

Consider these slender sausages the minimalist's take on the Chicago Dog, dressed with mustard, relish, chopped onion and sport peppers...and a fistful of french fries. Insider tip: Don't ask for ketchup.

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INDIANA

Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island Wiener Stand in Indiana

Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island Wiener Stand

131 W Main St, Fort Wayne

Known for its Original Coney Island Hot Dog, with mustard, onions and homemade Coney sauce, this spot still opens at 8 a.m., a time once set to accommodate overnight shift workers on their way home.

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IOWA

Bobs Drive Inn

Bob's Drive Inn

5th Ave SW, Le Mars

The locally made Wimmer's franks snap when you bite into them. The joint's famous Bob Dog comes topped with tavern loose meats (a.k.a. seasoned ground beef).

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KANSAS

kansas2

Fritz's Meats & Superior Sausage

10326 State Line Rd, Leawood

People flock to the oldest smokehouse in Kansas City for the family's gourmet beef sausages that date back to Fritz Plapp, a master sausagemaker from Germany.

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KENTUCKY

Red Top Gourmet Hot Dogs in Kentucky

Red Top Gourmet Hotdogs

1127 Logan Street, Louisville

This popular food truck will be opening a brick-and-mortar spot soon to serve more of its grass-fed beef hot dogs and homemade sausages.

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LOUISIANA

Dat Dog in Louisiana

Dat Dog

Multiple New Orleans Locations

One of the fan favorites at this spot—which began as a 475-square-foot shack—is a secret menu item known as the Duck Special: duck sausage with blackberry sauce, barbecue sauce, yellow mustard, and bacon.

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MAINE

maine 1

Simone's Hot Dog Stand

99 Chestnut St, Lewiston

The poppy-bright Red Snapper pork franks are not to be missed at this family business that has been standing on its original location on Chestnut Street since 1908.

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MARYLAND

maryland 2up

G&A

3802 Eastern Ave, Baltimore

The sausages are cooked in the front window for everyone to see, and locals keep coming back for the Coney Island Dog topped with a special sauce of ground beef, chili powder, celery salt and secret spices.

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MASSACHUSETTS

massachusetts

Larry Joe's New England Fire Pit

30-A Cape Rd, Mendon

The dogs are grilled over a hickory flame, but it's the superspicy Caribbean-style Fire Dog—a beef sausage made with crushed red peppers—that sets taste buds ablaze.

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MICHIGAN

michigan from fb

Lafayette Coney Island

118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit

Locals stay loyal to this cash-only spot's vintage interior and classic order of the Coney Dog with chili fries.

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MINNESOTA

Kyatchi in Minnesota

Kyatchi

Multiple Locations

A Japanese twist on a traditional hot dog, the umami-rich Yakisoba is a Limousin beef frank covered with stir-fried soba noodles, onions, red ginger and Kewpie mayo and served with potato salad.

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MISSISSIPPI

mississippi from yelp

Ward's

Multiple Locations

The go-to combo at this local fast-food chain is a chili dog with onions and mustard alongside a frosty house root beer.

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MISSOURI

Steve's Hot Dogs in Missouri

Steve's Hot Dogs

Two St. Louis Locations

A former musician, Steve Ewing once fed folks from a food cart after his shows. Today he has two hot-dog shops where you can get franks with his fabulous macaroni and cheese scooped right on top.

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MONTANA

montana

Mr. Hot Dogs

1806 Cobban St, Butte

Set in a mining town, this spot with a retro vibe serves 100 percent Montana beef sausages. Their popular Butte Dog is dressed with bacon, blue cheese, onion, mozzarella and tangy steak sauce.

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NEBRASKA

Flydogz in Nebraska

Fly Dogz

3111 O St Suite D, Lincoln

Try the CinnaDog (chili, cheese, onions, jalapeños and sour cream on a sweet cinnamon roll) or FlyDog (with cream cheese, cheese sauce and jalapeños).

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NEVADA

Buldogis

Buldogi's

2291 S Fort Apache Rd, Las Vegas

At this Korean-fusion joint the Gang Nam Dog is made with roasted pork belly, pickled cucumber, nori flakes, sesame seeds, green onions and Korean chili sauce—and can be ordered with a fried egg on top.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

Gilleys DIner

Gilley's PM Lunch

175 Fleet St, Portsmouth

Late-night revelers hit this original box-car diner for its cheap, hearty franks—like the Kraut Dog—and poutine fries.

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NEW JERSEY

Rutt's Hut Photoshoot

Rutt's Hut

417 River Rd, Clifton

The sausages are deep-fried, which causes the casings to crack and split—hence the nickname "Rippers"—before being topped with their neon-green, house-made relish of cabbage, carrots, onions and mustard.

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NEW MEXICO

new mexico 3

Dog House Drive In

1216 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque

This no-frills spot on Route 66 serves Footlong Chili Dogs (served with green or red chili), tater tots and a killer Frito pie.

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NEW YORK

new york-NoMad Bar Hot Dog

NoMad Bar

10 W 28th St, New York

Of course luxury hot dogs are a thing in Manhattan. Star chef Daniel Humm's Humm Dog is a $16 deep-fried beef dog wrapped in bacon and topped with black-truffle mayonnaise, Gruyère cheese and a crunchy celery relish.

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NORTH CAROLINA

Pulliams barbecue

J.S. Pulliam Barbecue

4400 Old Walkertown Rd, Winston-Salem

There are no seats in this tiny shack that's been around since 1910, but the Chili and Slaw Dog with a toasted buttered bun and supercreamy coleslaw makes up for it.

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NORTH DAKOTA

north dakota 1

DogMahal Doghaus

305 N Washington St, Grand Forks

Hot dogs meet vinyl and comics at this eclectic mash-up where you can browse vintage records before or after you bite into a Green Party Dog with guacamole, green chili and salsa verde.

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OHIO

Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace

Dirty Frank's

248 S 4th St, Columbus

With more than 20 toppings—from brisket to Sriracha cream cheese—there is something for everyone, even vegetarians who can opt for soy-free veggie dogs.

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OKLAHOMA

Coney Hot Weiner SHop

Coney Island Hot Weiner Shop

107 N Boulder Ave, Tulsa

For those in the know, the order is three Coney Dogs (chili, onions, shredded cheese) plus a dusting of cayenne pepper—but you have to ask for it.

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OREGON

Beez Neez

Beez Neez Gourmet Sausages

Mobile Food Truck in Portland

Of the many options at this hot-dog cart—kosher beef, Louisiana hot link, bratwurst, seitan vegan—it's the Alaskan Reindeer Sausage that gets the biggest raves.

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PENNSYLVANIA

Essie's Original Hot Dog Shop in Pittsburgh

Original Hot Dog Shop

3901 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh

At this family-run eatery, Original Dogs go best with mountains of award-winning french fries (200 in a small order) and more than 400 types of beer.

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RHODE ISLAND

rhode island 3 from fb

Olneyville New York System

18 Plainfield St, Providence

They call them Hot Wieners, and the only way to order them is "all the way," with meat sauce, mustard and onions—and a coffee milk (that's milk with coffee syrup, a Rhode Island treat) on the side.

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SOUTH CAROLINA

Edmund's Oast Brewing Company

Edmund's Oast Brewing Company

1505 King St Ext, Charleston

Kick back on the patio and try the Homemade Hot Dog with chili, slaw and mustard—along with one of a dozen house beers on tap—at this 20,000-sq.-ft. brewery.

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SOUTH DAKOTA

south dakota

Hungry Dog

422 S Sanborn Blvd, Mitchell

The Philly Dog cheesesteak-frankfurter is an epic combo with fresh-shaved rib eye, sautéed onions and peppers—and Cheez Whiz.

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TENNESSEE

I Dream of Weenie

I Dream of Weenie

113 S 11th St, Nashville

The Pimento Cheese Weenie is as fun as the spot itself, which boasts a vintage VW van that's been converted into a food trailer. And there's plenty of Tennessee chow-chow on hand.

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TEXAS

Frank in Austin Texas

Frank

407 Colorado St, Austin

Beer and cocktails are paired with an artisan wiener menu that includes house-made specialties like the Jackalope: a smoked antelope, rabbit and pork sausage with bun choices from a pretzel roll to a tortilla wrap.

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UTAH

J Dawgs in Utah

J. Dawgs

Multiple Locations

This mini chain keeps fans coming back for its simple and customizable dogs. Start with a Polish Link and add toppings to your heart's content—but always get the special sauce.

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VERMONT

Handys Lunch in Vermont

Handy's Lunch

74 Maple St, Burlington

At this local landmark, belly up to a classic lunch counter for its famous Texas Dog topped with yellow mustard, homemade chili and chopped red onions.

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VIRGINIA

Dip Dog in Virginia

Dip Dog

2035 Lee Hwy, Marion

There's nothing like the sweet crunchiness of a Dip Dog—lightly battered, deep-fried, dipped in special mustard and served on a stick. Just don't call it a corn dog.

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WASHINGTON

Monster Dogs in Washington

Monster Dogs

Multiple Seattle Locations

With carts all over the city, you're never too far from a Seattle-style grilled frank dressed with a healthy squirt of cream cheese and grilled onions.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.

Bens Chili Bowl in Washington D C

Ben's Chili Bowl

Multiple Locations

Located in a former silent-movie theater, this spot's main draw is the Spicy Half Smoke, a beef and smoked-pork sausage served in a warm steamed bun and topped with mustard, onions and a spicy homemade chili sauce.

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WEST VIRGINIA

Hillbilly Hot Dogs

Hillbilly Hot Dogs

6951 Ohio River Rd, Lesage

The kitschy menu features wiener combos like the Pineapplelachian with barbecue sauce, country ham, shredded cheese and crushed pineapple pieces.

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WISCONSIN

Vanguard in Wisconsin

Vanguard

2659 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue, Milwaukee

To elevate the region's beer-and-brat tradition, the owners created a hipster sausage bar with craft beer, cocktails and a menu that ranges from the basic to the exotic—like the Thai Breaker, a pork sausage with lemongrass, ginger and cilantro topped with peanut sauce, carrots and lettuce.

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WYOMING

Weenie Wrangler Hot Dog Stand in Wyoming

Weenie Wrangler

1740 Fleischli Pkwy, Cheyenne

This hot-dog cart in the parking lot of a home-improvement store is run by a former chef who specializes in game-meat sausages like elk and wild boar.

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