# The World's Best Hotdog
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [July 31, 2006, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649 "2006-07-31T03:10:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/1 "2006-07-31T03:10:56Z")
Let’s get ready to ruuuuuumble!
The World’s Best Hotdog is served inside Dodger Stadium. A grilled Dodger-Dog, with mustard, relish and onions is the pinnacle of gustatory delight, Hot-Dog Division.
Any dissenters? 😃
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### Author:  [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/2 "2006-07-31T03:40:01Z")
Grilled!? This Chicagoan must protest. Hot dogs are to be steamed. I’ll have to say [Superdawg](http://www.superdawg.com/) is the dog I crave the most. Everything is mustard, raw chopped onions, relish, dill pickle, hot peppers (extra on mine, please) and, oddly, a pickled green tomato wedge.
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### Author:  [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/3 "2006-07-31T03:49:48Z")
No, I’ve got to say grilled is better’n steamed, although I prefer home-grilled hot dogs, with onions, tomatos and shredded cheese.
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/4 "2006-07-31T03:57:42Z")
On the matter of the dog itself, and the other condiments, I will make no comment. But the mustard absolutely must be authentic Cleveland Stadium Mustard. It’s God’s gift to sausages.
It may well be that concerning the hot dog itself, the best may only be found in Chicago, Los Angeles, or some other locale, which would sadly mean that the Perfect Hot Dog has never yet actually been created. But then, that may also be regarded as a challenge, or an opportunity.
> [@](#):
>
> …and, oddly, a pickled green tomato wedge.
I’m not at all surprised. My second-favorite hot dog condiment is green tomato relish (as made by my mom), which would, I imagine, be similar to pickled green tomato wedge. Tastes seem to vary considerably on that one, though. And I usually use it in lieu of pickle relish, not in addition to.
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### Author:  [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/5 "2006-07-31T05:00:44Z")
The world’s best hot dog is any that you don’t buy from a New York City street vendor.
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### Author:  [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/6 "2006-07-31T13:55:02Z")
While my favorite is a Vienna Beef steamed dog on a poppy seed bun (the true chicago hot dog) that can be found at most Chicago style hot dog places I am also partial to the grilled dog found at Schnapper’s on Sanibel Island, FL.
You can keep your Nathan’s Famous.
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### Author:  [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/7 "2006-07-31T14:24:45Z")
The Fenway Frank. Boiled and grilled with mustard and relish.
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### Author:  [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/8 "2006-07-31T14:37:01Z")
Feh. Nathan’s. Coney Island. Case closed.
(Up yours Chicago 😛 )
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### Author:  [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/9 "2006-07-31T14:38:17Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> The World’s Best Hotdog is served inside Dodger Stadium. A grilled Dodger-Dog, with mustard, relish and onions is the pinnacle of gustatory delight, Hot-Dog Division.
Personally I’ve never understood the mystique of the Dodger Dog. They are absolutely mediocre in my opinion.
Now, those bacon-wrapped dogs outside Staples Center are another story…
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### Author:  [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/10 "2006-07-31T15:43:10Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#):
>
> Grilled!? This Chicagoan must protest. Hot dogs are to be steamed. I’ll have to say [Superdawg](http://www.superdawg.com/) is the dog I crave the most. Everything is mustard, raw chopped onions, relish, dill pickle, hot peppers (extra on mine, please) and, oddly, a pickled green tomato wedge.
SuperDawg is a damn good dog, but I kinda like the Portillo’s dog, too.
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### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/11 "2006-07-31T15:59:51Z")
My favourite hot dogs were the ones at the Montreal Forum.
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### Author:  [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/12 "2006-07-31T16:05:27Z")
**Super Duper Weenie Man** , in Fairfield Connecticut. No contest.
My personal favorite from that little slice of heaven is the Georgia Redhot, but that’s just me.
Is this my opinion, or is SDWM a legitimate contender for best hot dog place in the country? It ain’t just my opinion.
[Cite](http://www.thechronicle.us/archive_news.php?id=184):
> [@](#):
>
> The food at Super Duper Weenie is outstanding. Just ask Gourmet Magazine, USA Today, Reader’s Digest, Connecticut Magazine and Cigar Aficionado. If you don’t believe their praises, try it for yourself. Super Duper Weenie owners Gary Zemola and John and Lorin Pellegrino say that you will never eat a better hot dog than theirs.
> […]
> You may have seen Super Duper Weenie on “The David Letterman Show” in 2001 or read about it other magazines.
> […]
> In 2005, Reader’s Digest awarded Super Duper Weenie “Best in America.”
[Cite](http://www.fairfieldctchamber.com/online/chamber/2004-motm.asp):
> [@](#):
>
> Meanwhile, Super Duper Weenie made the pages of Gourmet magazine back in November. Roadside restaurant authorities Jane and Michael Stern ask the question, “How serious are these guys about their wienies?” Very serious indeed. This isn’t the first time the Sterns have heaped praise on Super Duper Weenie – they rated it a perfect “100%” on their Roadfood web site last year.
[Cite from Reader’s Digest](http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=26506&pageIndex=2):
> [@](#):
>
> **Best Non-Chain Fast Food**
> No question, it’s the Super Duper Weenie in Fairfield, Connecticut. Founder and co-owner Gary Zemola, who trained at the famed Culinary Institute of America, makes everything fresh. And it’s not just about the dogs – although that’s his specialty. He’s also famous for his fries and relish. Jane and Michael Stern, the authors of Roadfood, have logged millions of miles sampling America’s roadside diners and cafés. They give this “charming, sassy” eatery a big thumbs-up.
Cite from the [Roadfood discussion forums](http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40&whichpage=4), from a poster named John Fox who has a lot to say about NJ and CT hotdogs:
> [@](#):
>
> I liked Swanky’s (even though it is a different style) and Super Duper Weenie much better. In fact, SDW’s New Englander is one of the best dogs in the country.
Gourmet Magazine included SDWM in their article [America’s 10 Best Hot Dog Joints](http://www.traveltraveltravel.com/gour_50plates.htm): (scroll down)
> [@](#):
>
> Not to slight its hot dog, which is a firm-fleshed beef and pork sausage, or the bun, which is bakery-fresh - but SUPER DUPER WEENIE’s condiments are stupendous! The sauerkraut, chili, and onion sauce are all made from scratch, and the relish is made from cucumbers that Chef Gary Zemola pickles himself. Started as a mobile truck, this hot dog shop is now a minuscule diner which makes ordering easy by offering basic configurations - such as the ‘New Englander’ with kraut, bacon, mustard, relish, and onion (which Gary devised based on fond memories of the franks served at Savin Rock, in West Haven, Connecticut), and the kraut-topped ‘New Yorker’ (inspired by Manhattan’s street-corner cart) - which are probably 500 percent better than any actual New York City street wiener. 306 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, Connecticut (203-334-DOGS).
Note that New York and Connecticut are the only states that boast multiple entries on Gourmet Magazine’s list. Eat that, Chicago!
PBS featured SDWM in their show called [A Hot Dog Program](http://www.wqed.org/tv/natl/hotdogs/hd_story.shtml):
> [@](#):
>
> In Fairfield, Connecticut, Gary Zemola, a.k.a. “The Super Duper Weenie Man,” a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, sells “killer dogs” out of a GMC Stepvan just off Interstate 95. Customers cheer for his homemade relishes and specialty dogs - called things like the “New Yorker” and the “New Englander.” Zemola, who has a passion for his product, also has a pet peeve: “People will order the most loaded dogs you can get and an order of fries. Then I hear ‘diet soda’ and the hair on my neck goes up. Diet doesn’t exist here,” says Zemola. “You’re here to splurge, you’re here to relax, enjoy!” Enough said.
[The Washington Times](http://washingtontimes.com/familytimes/20060701-102651-7363r_page2.htm) gave it a mention:
> [@](#):
>
> Those traveling should note that the nation’s top-10 hot dogs can be found at the following places, according to Epicurious: Flo’s (Cape Neddick, Maine), Mr. Mac’s Canteen (Monroe, Conn.), Otto’s Sausage Kitchen (Portland, Ore.), Pink’s (Los Angeles), Ritsy Lunch (Clarksburg, W.Va.), Rutt’s Hut (Clifton, N.J.), Superdawg (Chicago), **Super Duper Weenie (Fairfield, Conn.)**, Ted’s (Tonawanda, N.Y.) and Walter’s (Mamaroneck, N.Y.).
>
> _(Bolding added.)_
Dodger Stadium? Feh.
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### Author:  [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/13 "2006-07-31T17:16:20Z")
Koegel Vienna’s with Angelo’s coney sauce, fresh chopped onions, and mustard… Mmmmmm
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### Author:  [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/14 "2006-07-31T17:24:18Z")
As a transplanted Chicagoan, I’ll take a Vienna Beef dog, and drag it through the garden, please.
I’m just happy to see that nobody’s version of The Perfect Hot Dog involves that candy-sweet red stuff that kids call ketchup.
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### Author:  [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/15 "2006-07-31T22:43:07Z")
James’ Coney Island in Houston. Hands down, bar none.
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### Author:  [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/16 "2006-07-31T23:39:24Z")
No love for [Crif Dogs](http://www.newyorkmetro.com/listings/restaurant/crif-dogs/)? I’m no dog expert, but their bacon-wrapped number with avocado and sour cream is the yummiest heart attack you ever had.
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### Author:  [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2006, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/17 "2006-07-31T23:45:18Z")
No love for [Crif Dogs](http://www.newyorkmetro.com/listings/restaurant/crif-dogs/)? I’m no dog expert, but their bacon-wrapped number with avocado and sour cream is the yummiest heart attack you ever had.
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### Author:  [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/18 "2006-08-01T00:24:37Z")
How about Tommy’s at Cape May? I mean, it’s not exactly traditional. My favorite of his involves mashed potatos, baked beans, onions, cheese, mustard, chips, and several other condiments. At the very least his condiments are top 5, since the hot dog is really good, but not superb.
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2006, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/19 "2006-08-01T01:31:53Z")
My favorite dog is the stripped-down Chicago-style dog served at Chickie’s on 28th and Pulaski. The traditional Chicago dog is served on a poppy seed bun and contains the following condiments: green relish, pickle wedge, onions, tomato, sport peppers, mustard, a dash of celery salt, and occassionally fresh cucumber slides as well.
Personally, while I do like it, I think it’s overkill. Many Chicago hot dog stands do the simplified mustard-relish-onions-pepper hot dog, which I think is much more appropriate. The key to a good hot dog, of course, is the hot dog itself. No amount of toppings will make a mediocre hot dog great. All hot dogs should be natural casing sausages and exhibit a nice snap to them when bitten into. The good Vienna Beef stands in Chicago all do this.
That said, I do appreciate Nathan’s in Coney Island very much. I also remember being a big fan of Elsie’s Hot Dogs i(now defunct) on/near Harvard’s campus. I’ve never had Dodger dog, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with grilling a hot dog and I can understand anybody who feels a grilled dog is superior. I grew up on Chicago dogs, so steamed is my preference, but otherwise, I would prefer grilled dogs. In fact, the Char Dog, as it’s known in Chicago, is actually quite popular and offered by many hot dog establishments.
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2006, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-best-hotdog/366649/20 "2006-08-01T01:34:57Z")
Oh, I am such a moron.
I do have a clear winner for world’s best hot dog/sausage stand, and it’s not the aforementioned Chickie’s. It’s
[Hot Doug’, “the sausage superstore and encased meat emporium.”](http://www.hotdougs.com)
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