The Best Hot Dog In Every US State

No matter what part of the U.S. you’re in, you can be pretty sure that you’re going to be able to get a tasty hot dog! 

Some states even have their own take on this traditional snack!

For example, you’ve got the famous Red Snapper hot dog in Maine. 

Fancy trying the best hot dog in each state?

If you’re planning your own unique road trip across the United States, we’ve got an idea you cannot refuse; sampling the best hot dog as you go. 

Here are our top picks when it comes to the best hot dogs in every state.

Trust us, we’ve sampled a lot of good hot dogs over the years, and the selections in this post certainly won’t let you down!

Alabama – Gus’s Hot Dogs

We’re starting off our hot dog tour of the United States with the great state of Alabama.

Many people may not realize this, but Greek immigrants are often behind many of the finest institutions in Birmingham, Alabama. Gus’s is no exception. It’s been the top hot dog joint in the city since the 40s.

Fans of all ages enjoy coming here for the locally-made fat franks, which are chargrilled and served with many different toppings.

Gus’s unique onion sauce is the pick of the bunch. 

Address: 1915 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States

Alaska – International House of Hot Dogs in Anchorage

This restaurant is unique, as it specializes in gourmet hot dogs from every corner of the world.

From Mexico to Greece, you’ll get to experience hot dogs with some international flavor!

A lot of people do enjoy the Frankenstein Dog the most, though; it’s a Polish beef dog wrapped in bacon and served with chipotle cream, yellow mustard, sautéed onions, sautéed ham, bacon, diced pineapple, and cream cheese.

Address: 415 L St, Anchorage, AK 99501, United States

Arizona – El Güero Canelo

There are a lot of amazing hot dog trucks in Tucson. However, it’s only right that we use this spot to give a shout-out to Daniel Contreras, who made the famous Sonoran style, which is so loved today.

Here, get a classic Sonoran hot dog wrapped in bacon and set into a freshly made bolillo, then topped with mustard, onion, tomato, mayonnaise, beans, and jalapeño sauce.

Address: 5201 S 12th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706, United States

Arkansas – Original ScoopDog

At the Original ScoopDog in North Little Rock, all-beef dogs sent from Chicago get the local treatment.

Those living in Arkansas are partial to the Sooie Dog, which is covered with bacon and barbecue sauce.

Another popular option is the Frito Pie Dog, which is topped with queso (also known as cheese dip), Fritos, chilli, and a dash of celery salt.

Address: 5508 John F Kennedy Blvd, North Little Rock, AR 72116, United States

California – Duff’s Dogzz

Known for its inexpensive prices and a large selection of hot dogs with state-inspired names, Duff’s Dogzz is a no-frills hot dog business.

Along with the standard regional hot dog suspects like New York and Chicago-style dogs, a popular “islands” themed variant with pineapple salsa is also available.

Address: 12047 Carmel Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92128, United States

Colorado – Biker Jim’s

Biker Jim’s sells a variety of sausages that you wouldn’t find at your neighborhood roadside stand, boasting one of the most innovative menus in the U.S.

Choices like rattlesnake, antelope, elk, wild boar, and reindeer are certainly not commonplace on most hot dog menus. The toppings are just as unexpected, with anything from Malaysian curry jam to wasabi mayo.

The freshly cooked, thick potato chips are also not to be missed.

Address: 2148 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205, United States

Connecticut – Blackie’s

Since 1928, locals have been flocking to Blackie’s in Cheshire to eat local franks.

In part, this is because of what goes on top of the hot dog. If you’re not afraid of some spice, the one-two punch of surprisingly hot, flavorful, house pepper relish, combined with some even spicier and coarse brown mustard, is a real treat.

While the hot dogs here may not have a gourmet appearance, they certainly satisfy the taste buds. 

Address: 2200 Waterbury Rd, Cheshire, CT 06410, United States

Delaware – Dog House

The Dog House is a unique small roadhouse counter on the side of the Dupont highway in Delaware that offers up a hot dog that is as closely related to the hoagie and cheesesteak culture of nearby Philadelphia as it is to the world of dogs.

Split, hard-grilled foot-long dogs are served with toasted South Jersey-baked Liscio’s Italian rolls. The toppings are American cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and onion.

It’s an outrageous hot dog and hoagie combination that’s surprisingly tasty.

Address: 1200 N Dupont Hwy, New Castle, DE 19720, United States

Florida – El Chuzo BBQ

Chicago-style dogs from other cities have long flourished in the Sunshine State. The Colombian Perro, a hot dog from South America that has been springing up all throughout the state in the last ten years, is the custom that best defines modern Florida.

In the Latin American cuisine capital of West Tampa, a late-night Colombian fast food restaurant, El Chuzo, serves it with fried potato sticks, bacon, cheese, and a variety of sauces.

Address: 7101 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, FL 33604, United States

Georgia – Charlie Joseph’s

You’ll have to search hard to find a relish similar to the century-old (or almost century-old) recipe served at Charlie Joseph’s, a little establishment in tiny La Grange.

For the ideal balance, we recommend a hot dog topped with a spicy-hot pepper mixture and slaw, another house (and Southern) favorite. 

Address: 2238 W Point Rd, LaGrange, GA 30240, United States

Hawaii – Puka Dog

At Puka Dog, embrace the rich Hawaiian culture.

First, a fluffy bun with a hole in it called a puka. This puka houses the hot dog, fillings, lilikoi passion fruit, and garlic lemon sauce.

Reviews advise trying every relish on offer and asking for the Hawaiian mustard. The freshly made lemonade is also quite popular.

Address: 2100 Hoone Rd, Poipu, HI 96756, United States

Idaho – State Fair Tater Pig

There can be a shortage of hot dogs in the northern mountain states. Since the Greek “Coney Island” hot dog migration of the 20s rarely extended this far, a foundation for the development of hot dog culture was never created.

Instead, we look to the State Fairs, which celebrate regional pride and blatant showmanship. The amazing “tater pig” is a baked potato with a hole in it, loaded with sausage and covered in chili, cheese, bacon, and sour cream.

Address: NA – available at local state fares

Illinois – Gene & Jude’s

A normal Vienna Beef frank with relish, onions, mustard, and peppers on plain bread, no seeds, topped with a bunch of some of the most delicious fresh-cut French fries in town.

This is the Depression Dog, and it has dominated the menu at Gene & Jude’s since 1946. Never even consider requesting ketchup!

Address: 2720 N River Rd, River Grove, IL 60171, United States

Indiana – Fort Wayne Coney Island

We’ve heeded the recommendation of Chicago-based food writer Titus Ruscitti, who has been blogging about regional food in the Midwest for ten years. Fort Wayne Coney Island is a typical Coney-style hot dog shop that dates back to 1914.

Hot dogs barbecued on the window-front grill and topped with meat sauce, and onions are the restaurant’s specialty.

Address: 131 W Main St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, United States

Iowa – Bob’s Drop Inn

A superb old-fashioned hot dog made at Bob’s Drive Inn with all the traditional fixings leaves visitors with a lasting memory despite the restaurant’s straightforward menu.

Tavern meat is used to make hot dogs (also known as loose meat).

Address: Hwy 75 S, Le Mars, IA, United States, Iowa

Kansas – Fritz’s

At Kansas City’s oldest smokehouse, which dates back to the 20s, one of the secrets to success is that four generations of the family are derived from a German master butcher.

Astonishing varieties of sausage worldwide, including boudin blanc, butifarra, and boerewors, are sampled by savvy grillers who travel from all around.

Join them and stay for the mouthwatering all-beef frankfurters and hot Polish sausages served simply at lunch – a dab of mustard would suffice.

Address: 13803 W 63rd St, Shawnee, KS 66216, United States

Kentucky – Lonnie’s

Do you yearn for a Chicago-style dog? You won’t be disappointed by heading to Lonnie’s.

Lonnie used to run a hot dog stand in the Windy City. The all-beef Vienna kosher meat used to make the hot dogs at Lonnie’s is topped with a delectable homemade relish. Delicious! 

Address: 121 St Matthews Ave, Louisville, KY 40207, United States

Louisiana – Cochon Butcher

Hot dogs at Cochon Butcher are hand-made by chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski, both of whom have won James Beard awards. They come in a pretzel-style bread and are cooked with local meat.

Address: 930 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

Maine – Dysart’s

At Dysart’s, you don’t have to wait for Saturdays to enjoy the traditional local combo of a brilliant red snapper dog with salt pork-cooked yellow-eye beans and molasses.

Address: 530 Coldbrook Road, Hermon, Maine 04401

Maryland – Stuggy’s

Stuggy’s is a modest, quaint establishment close to the Baltimore Harbor Market that fits in with the second wave of hot dog stalls that emphasize unusual flavor combinations.

The sausages, which range from Polish and Italian to all-beef, are excellent on their own, but Stuggy’s really shines when they’re topped with things like lump crab meat, mac n’ cheese, and a dash of Old Bay (The Crab Mac).

Address: 1928 Fleet St, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States

Massachusetts – Graham’s Hot Dogs

The working-class town of Fall River is home to several distinctive dishes thanks to an intriguing fusion of Portuguese culture, coastal cuisine, and New England staples.

Graham’s is a funky, old-school Main Street hot dog store. Graham’s hits all these notes with its spicy Portuguese chourico dogs topped with hand-cut fries, fried clam specialties, and the “Fall River Bean Dog,” a frank heaped high with sweet baked beans in a thick sauce.

Address: 931 Bedford St, Fall River, MA 02723, United States

Michigan – Jack’s Hot Dogs

Since 1917, Jack’s Hot Dogs has been a staple, and it is currently run by the founder’s grandson.

Chili dogs covered in American cheese and topped with house meat sauce are top of the list of meals to try. The franks come from nearby Pittsfield, which also boasts a distinctive hot dog tradition. 

Address: 10816 Dixie Hwy, Davisburg, MI 48350, USA

Minnesota – Wienery

If it’s variation you’re looking for, you’ve certainly found it at Wienery.

You can expect one of the broadest hot-dog-centric menus in the Twin Cities. It’s also a popular restaurant joint, and you can combine your eggs and bacon with your hot dog, ensuring you don’t have to miss out on your favorites. 

Address: 414 Cedar Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55454, United States

Mississippi – Small Time Hot Dogs

Good ol’ hot dogs and Polish sausages are the foundation of Little Time Hot Dogs’ creative menu options, drawing inspiration from various Southern culinary traditions.

For instance, the Southern Dog contains hickory smoked pulled pork, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce, while the Ragin’ Cajun is a sizable Polish sausage topped with mild crawfish.

Regional delicacies like steamed or fried Delta tamales, fried green tomatoes, and fried pickles set this establishment apart. Head to the food truck’s Facebook page to find their most recent locations.

Address: FOOD TRUCK, 510 Raper St, Winona, MS 38967, United States

Missouri – Ward’s

The Big One, one of the messiest, ugliest-looking, and most incredible classic chili cheeseburgers this side of Tommy’s in Los Angeles, is the secret to Ward’s continued success and the reason it has more than 40 locations in Mississippi and zero elsewhere.

Ward’s is Mississippi’s best-kept fast food secret. One of the state’s most recognizable fast food options is the famous chili cheese dog paired with a cold, locally made root beer. 

Montana – The Burger Dive

As Montana is a cattle state, it’s hardly surprising that hamburgers are more popular than hot dogs there.

Therefore, the best hot dog location in the state can be found at The Burger Dive in the picturesque town of Billings. The “Mazatlan” Mexican Dog, which comes with bacon, pico de gallo, guacamole, shredded cheddar cheese, and chipotle mayonnaise, is what we recommend.

Address: 114 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101, United States

Nebraska – B&B Classic Dogs

B&B Classic Dogs is in Bellevue, south of Omaha, and combines a hot dog stand and an arcade.

Although the hot dogs are not made in the area, B&B excels in its outrageous attitude. A bacon-wrapped dog is served in a pretzel bun alongside tzatziki sauce.

One version is wrapped in bacon and dipped in Buffalo hot wing sauce. Is your mouth watering yet?

Address: 1020 Lincoln Rd, Bellevue, NE 68005

Nevada – Buldogis

We’ll take the inventive Korean-style hot dogs at Buldogis any day of the week, where spicy aioli and house-made kimchi are the new mustard and onions.

Las Vegas has developed into something of a gold mine of regional hot dog styles thanks to its diverse population, which comes from all over the country and the world.

Address: 2291 S Fort Apache Rd #102, Las Vegas, NV 89117, United States

New Hampshire – Gilley’s PM Lunch

Gilley’s is a tiny, vintage lunch cart/mini diner that has been operating in Portsmouth, a small town, since the 1940s. It can accommodate around a dozen people.

Shields brand beef and pork dogs are served on split top buns, which are butter-toasted and served in snappy natural casings. They are fantastic with wet bean chili as a topping.

A side of their handmade poutine is also highly advised.

Address: 175 Fleet St, Portsmouth, NH 03801, United States

New Jersey – Jimmy Buff’s

The Italian hot dog is the most inventive hot dog served in NJ. The Racioppi family designed this iconic dog in Newark in the 1930s for their fellow factory workers as a salute to multi-ethnic, metropolitan America.

An all-beef deep-fried sausage is placed on a half-moon-shaped bun that has been specially manufactured, slathered in mustard, and stuffed with onions, fried green pepper strips, and potato slices. Try it at Jimmy Buff’s!

Address: 60 Washington St, West Orange, NJ 07052, United States

New Mexico – Dog House

Locals in Albuquerque have long known that split and grilled foot-longs at the divey Dog House are a must when a craving for hot dogs strikes.

They’re topped with distinctive red cheese, chili sauce, and onions, too, should you wish. You won’t miss the establishment either, as it’s a drive-in along the Route 66 strip with bright neon signage.

Memorable appearances on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul have now made it famous. 

Address: 1216 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, United States

New York – Voss Bar-B-Q

Voss serves both the traditional “Red Hots” (topped with chili and crumbles of Voss’ distinctive “chopped cheese”) and the distinctive “White Hots” (a tasty frankfurter variation that is made with egg white, veal, and spices like coriander and nutmeg).

The dogs are griddled by Voss’, who then serves them on little split-top butter buns.

Address: 815 Oriskany Blvd, Yorkville, NY 13495, United States

North Carolina – Pulliam’s BBQ

Pulliam’s, a century-old lunch stop outside of Winston Salem, has arguably the best slaw dogs in the South. The neon red, well-charred, wieners are topped with mild chili and incredibly finely chopped, creamy, sweet slaw.

All of this is placed inside of an “upside-down-toasted” bun that has been butter-grilled to a golden brown crisp on the top (rather than the sides).

Address: 4400 Old Walkertown Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27105, United States

North Dakota – Wurst Bier Hall

Since this is North Dakota, not the streets of Berlin, and the locally produced bratwurst smothered in homemade curry ketchup is unquestionably an interpretation, not a replica, you may not want to drag your German friends to the Wurst Bier Hall in Fargo for the currywurst.

But that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it! You can select any sausage you like from a menu that includes options as traditional as kielbasa and as daring as elk jalapeno cheddar.

Address: 3179 Bluestem Dr, West Fargo, ND 58078, United States

Ohio – Tony Packo’s

Tony Packo’s, which opened in 1932 in Toledo’s immigrant Hungarian neighborhood, offers what they refer to as a Hungarian hot dog.

It’s a naturally hot sausage with paprika, cumin, and red pepper on a bun with a special chili sauce made with beef.

As filling and savory as it is, this should be served with a side of deep-fried pickles and peppers, a very Southern yet Toledo-established custom. 

Address: 1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605, United States

Oklahoma – Coney Island Hot Wiener Shop

Since 1926, this family-run business has been producing pink hot dogs on a flat grill and serving them with chili and a dash of an unusual “grinded” cheese product. If you order a “death dog,” you’ll also get a heaping helping of raw onions, fiery chili sauce, and cayenne pepper.

Address: 107 North Boulder Avenue D NW Corner of Archer and, S Main St, Tulsa, OK 74103, United States

Oregon – Otto’s Sausage Kitchen

The old-fashioned wieners at Portland’s Otto’s Sausage Kitchen are some of the best on this side of the Atlantic because they are made from the best beef and pork and are smoked over alder wood right on the premises.

Otto’s, which has been family-run for a century, is renowned for lighting up its outdoor grill most afternoons and serving its own franks and sausages with a variety of straightforward toppings.

Address: 4138 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202, United States

Pennsylvania – Yocco’s

If you feel that sauce makes or breaks a hot dog, we’re sure you’ll love the secret source served at Yocco’s.

In fact, the secret sauce recipe has helped this establishment harvest somewhat of celebrity status. You simply have to experience it yourself!

Address: 225 PA-100, Allentown, PA 18106, United States

Rhode Island – Castle Luncheonette

Rhode Island has a number of iconic hot dog locations and styles competing for supremacy. We’ve gone for a less well-known eatery that blends two Rhody culinary customs: Dynamite Sauce and Saugy Dogs.

“Dynamites” are Rhode Island sandwiches similar to Sloppy Joes but offered at hot dog stands. They are stuffed with celery and green peppers and have a tomato meat sauce that has an Italian influence.

Castle Luncheonette goes a step further by slathering the sauce onto grilled, before wrapping them in a toasted bun.

Address: 590 Ocean Ave, Newport, RI 02840, United States

South Carolina – Holmes Hot Dogs

For about 70 years, Holmes Hot Dogs in Spartanburg is the kind of restaurant where you strike up discussions with strangers about how they’ve been coming here all their lives.

The dogs are served here with copious amounts of crunchy crinkle cuts.

Address: 925 W Blackstock Rd, Arcadia, SC 29320, United States

South Dakota – Hotties Gourmet Hot Dogs

Hotties Gourmet Hot Dogs is a local food trailer with a big reputation, serving delicious beef hot dogs. In fact, the guys just bought a bar and restaurant, so you know their food is going down a treat, and demand is high.

Quality produce is the name of the game here!

Address: Spearfish, SD, United States, South Dakota

Tennessee – Dyer’s

A porky, bright red Southern dog is the menu’s unsung hero at Dyer’s.

It’s crisp-fried and served with a straightforward, almost barbecue-inspired garnish of pickle, raw onion, and mustard on a warm, oil-slicked hamburger bun.

Address: 205 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

Texas – T-Loc

Sonoran-style dogs may have gained popularity in Tucson before spreading across the border, but you can’t stop a good thing from spreading, which is how the bacon-wrapped beauties have only relatively recently become one of the most well-liked things to eat from a truck in Austin, a city that is already overrun with options for street food.

T-Loc gives up one of the greatest instances of the generously-topped type we’ve discovered this far from its spiritual birthplace, founded by a Le Cordon Bleu graduate who once worked for Thomas Keller.

Address: 5000 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756, United States

Utah – Sportz Dogs

Native American frybread is a specialty that can be found all around the state and is frequently available year-round. It is used as a base for tacos and also hot dogs at impromptu vendors.

Big all-beef dogs and Polish sausages are fire-grilled by Sportz Dogs, a mobile business in Orem, and served with Sport secret sauces on “Utah scones,” a pillowy Mormon relative of Indian frybread.

Address: Orem, UT, US 84097

Vermont – Handy’s Lunch

Another intriguing hot dog locale is Vermont, where New England frankfurter customs like butter-toasted split-top buns mix with ideas like “Michigans,” hot dogs named after the state itself but popular in northern New York state and Canada.

The favorite is Handy’s, a charming lunch shop that first opened in 1945.

Address: 74 Maple St, Burlington, VT 05401, United States

Virginia – Texas Tavern

Since the Great Depression, anyone with two nickels to rub together has been welcomed to one of the ten counter seats at the Texas Tavern owned by the Bullington family in downtown Roanoke.

There, the hot dogs are still affordably priced and are best ordered “all the way,” with the onions, house chili sauce, and a distinctive relish made of mustard that is so well-liked that it is sold by the quart to go.

Drink some buttermilk to wash it all down for a true voyage back in time.

Address: 114 Church Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24011, United States

Washington – Swizzler Gourmet Hotdogs

If you’re someone who likes to experiment with eclectic toppings, this is the place for you. We’re sure you’ll be able to find a hot dog combination you’ve never tried before.

There are hot dogs served in pretzel buns too, delicious! Don’t worry if you want to keep it classic; the J dawg is for you.

Address: 1259 First St SE, Washington, DC 20003, United States

West Virginia – Hillbilly Hot Dogs

The food served at this hot dog stand on the Ohio River is top-notch. The iconic West Virginia slaw dog is just one of the many hot dog varieties. You can get deep-fried sausages with anything from fried Spam to habanero sauce.

The majority of choices come with the restaurant’s exclusive tomato-ground beef hot dog sauce.

Address: 6951 Ohio River Rd, Lesage, WV 25537, United States

Wisconsin – Benji’s

You can have a wonderful Reuben, a great hot dog, or the Benji, which is essentially a Reuben – kraut, Swiss, corned beef, the works – on top of a Vienna Beef dog, grilled, boiled, or torn, at Benji’s, the local iconic Jewish deli in the Milwaukee region.

The 1000 Island dressing doesn’t remain on the side for very long, although it’s usually served on the side, like a dare.

Address: 8683 N Port Washington Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217, United States

Wyoming – Weenie Wrangler Hot Dog Stand

A former fine-dining chef who now operates Weenie Wrangler, a hot dog cart outside of a Home Depot in the town of Cheyenne, applies a quick approach to wild boar, elk, and boudin sausages.

Address: MD, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA, 82001

Are you ready to go on the ultimate hot dog road trip?

As you can see, the U.S. certainly knows how to do hot dogs in style. No matter which state you’re visiting in the near future, you can be sure that you’ll be able to pick up a tasty, delicious hot dog to satisfy your stomach rumblings.

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