5 Favorite Regional Takes on the Hot Dog
From Seattle to Chicago to NYC.
By Chelsea Lin, Naomi Tomky and Megan Lamb February 9, 2018
This article originally appeared in the February 2018 issue of Seattle magazine.
This article appears in print in the February 2018 issue, as part of the cover story, “The United States of Food.” Click here to subscribe.
A map of regional hot dogs around the country would likely feature at least as many different combinations of condiments, dogs and garnishes as there are states in the union. You can’t quite find them all here yet, but many national favorites can be found on menus of local dog stands, from the famous Chicago dog to Seattle’s own cream cheese dog. Find our favorite takes here.
1. Edgar’s Cantina
Southwest
In the American Southwest, the Sonoran dog reigns supreme: bacon-wrapped, grilled and served with beans, grilled peppers, chopped tomatoes and onions, mayo, mustard and salsa verde. Other than the pop-up Bocado’s brief stint (fingers crossed it returns to do business this summer), the only place to get anything close to the Sonoran is the bacon-wrapped dog ($9.50) at Edgar’s in the stadium, served with grilled onions and jalapeños, and topped with chipotle sauce.
Edgar’s Cantina, Safeco Field, 1250 First Ave. S
2. Monster Dogs
Seattle
Seattle’s hot dog specialty may not be as well-known as others from around the country, but it isn’t a late night in Seattle if the cart doesn’t serve hot dogs ($6) with grilled onions and cream cheese (and probably Sriracha, too), which Monster Dogs does every night.
Monster Dogs, Multiple locations, including 10th and E Pike
3. Diggity Dog Hot Dog & Sausage
Chicago
This casual Tangletown favorite has a menu of burgers and deli sandwiches, but everyone is there for one thing—the extensive selection of regional dogs. They take quite a few liberties with their Chicago dog (no poppy seed bun, pepperoncinis instead of sport peppers, pickle chips instead of spears and no flourescent green relish), but it’s still the best $7.50 you can spend to satiate the craving.
Diggity Dog Hot Dog & Sausage, Tangletown, 5421 Meridian Ave. N; 206.633.1966
4. Dante’s Inferno Dogs
New York
Dante’s Cart, once a fixture in the late-night scene in Seattle, now shows up weekly at the Ballard Farmers Market, but while the clientele might be younger (and more awake), the classic New York–style dog ($4)—all-beef, simple, pulled right out of the cart and topped with mustard,—has stayed the same.
Dante’s Inferno Dogs, Various locations
5. Shorty’s
Detroit
You’ll find plenty of regional treasures on the all-dog menu at this pinball arcade, but what it calls the “chili cheese bigtop” ($6.50) is actually a take on Detroit’s Coney dog: smothered in chili and cheese, garnished with onions.
Shorty’s, Belltown, 2222 Second Ave.; 206.441.5449
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