Today, July 17, is National Hot Dog Day and it’s more than enough reason to celebrate.
Conjuring up memories of backyard cookouts, street vendors on busy city streets, the Fourth of July and baseball games, the hot dog might be just about as American as a food can possibly get (or at least a close second to apple pie).
Regardless of whether your dog of choice is steamed and topped mustard, smothered in onions or sauerkraut, laden with chili, Chicago style or even a Sonoran dog from the Southwest, the hot dog holds a place in the hearts of most Americans.
Don’t believe it? From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans consume approximately seven billion hot dogs. That’s billions with a ‘B,’ according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (yes, there is such a thing).
Need to get your fix and take part in the celebration? Here our top 10 picks for where to find the iconic food from the fancy dogs made with the finest wagyu beef down to a beloved $1.50 staple.
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Dune Dog Café
Going strong for 30 years now, this Jupiter mainstay has a diverse menu including wings, barbecue, burgers and more. We’re here for the hot dogs though and the Dune Dog does them right with 10 different varieties. Some of these include the Dot’s pushcart dog inspired by the backstreets of Brooklyn and featuring a spicy tomato and onion sauce and the Leroy Brown’s junkyard dog topped with Dune Deck’s chili, cheese, Dot’s sauce and diced onion. With locations in Jupiter, Stuart and Cocoa, they will soon open a second Jupiter location at Carlin Park.
Information: 775 N. Alternate A1A, Jupiter. dunedog.com
Shake Shack
The Gardens Mall location will be offering up a free hot dog on National Hot Dog Day, Wednesday, July 17 with any purchase. Split and cooked on the flat top, their 100% beef dogs are crafted by Vienna Beef in Chicago.
Information: 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. shakeshack.com
Fern Street Wine Bar & Kitchen
This downtown West Palm Beach hot spot will celebrate the holiday from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17 with their wagyu bratwurst. Offered for a limited time, this brat is prepared with pepper jack cheese, fried jalapeños, pico de gallo, and micro cilantro. It is accompanied by a side of tallow-fried fingerling potatoes.
Information: 501 Fern St., West Palm Beach. fernstreetwpb.com
El Segundo
Opened at the artists collective known as The Peach, this new restaurant features a Mexican-influenced menu and a hip West-coast vibe. Mixed in with the tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more, diners might just hit upon the Colombian street dog. This wagyu beef beauty is definitely a step above featuring roasted garlic aioli, charred pineapple relish, french sauce, a quail egg and served on a brioche bun.
Information: 3950 Georgia Ave., West Palm Beach. elsegundowpb.com
More:Inspired by great taco trucks, new Mexican restaurant opens in West Palm Beach hip strip
Palm Beach Meats
Located along the dining destination stretch known as the Dixie Corridor, this family-owned and operated butcher shop and restaurant specializes in wagyu beef. Committed to quality they feature Japanese, Australian, domestic wagyu and certified Kobe beef. Yes, even their hot dogs are made with wagyu beef and include the classic, topped with yellow mustard and chopped onions; the chili cheese, topped with wagyu chili and cheese; and finally the Chicago, featuring onions, sport peppers, neon relish (Chicago style), tomato, Palm Beach pickle, yellow mustard, celery and poppy seeds. All three hot dogs are served with house made chips.
Information: 4812 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. palmbeachmeats.com
La Perrada Del Gordo
To say Colombian hot dogs are all about the toppings may be an understatement. This popular street-food spot adds everything from pineapple to garlic sauce to crushed chips and quail eggs to the toppings heap. ~ Liz Balmaseda
Information: 2650 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. gordoburger.com
Mathews Brewing Co. Scratch Kitchen
Mathews Brewing Co. Scratch Kitchen in Lake Worth Beach is located across a narrow alley from the actual Mathews Brewing Co. and offers many dishes that pair perfect with their award-winning beers, the new restaurant (opened in January 2024) features two wagyu hot dogs. There’s the hot dawg that’s seasoned with a dash of celery salt before being topped with yellow mustard, chopped onions and sport peppers and the chili-dawg featuring their house beef chili.
Information: 125 S. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth Beach. mathewsbrewingscratchkitchen.com
More:Lake Worth Beach brewery holds restaurant’s grand opening with ribbon-cutting ceremony
Gourmet Killer Dogs
As one might expect from the name of this place, the menu options are killer. Case in point: the chili mac attack dog, topped with chili, mac and cheese, bacon and onions. You can substitute Italian sausage for the hot dog, if you want to go even heartier. At Gourmet Killer Dogs, those hot dogs share the menu with at least 10 vegan options, which include vegan dogs and sausages. They also feature New England-style seafood dishes like lobster rolls and their hand cut killer fries. ~ Liz Balmaseda
Information: 4057 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach.gourmetkillerdogsfl.com
Hotdog-Opolis
A variety of regular, jumbo and foot-long hot dogs share the menu with an extensive range of game sausages (from wild boar with garlic to alligator andouille) at this Boca Raton hot dog spot. They also feature sandwiches, burgers, soups, chili and more. ~ Liz Balmaseda
Information: 6020 N. Federal Hwy, Boca Raton.hotdogopolis.com
Costco
Ok, so maybe this one isn’t the super fancy, gourmet dog… it’s still a great hot dog that is enjoyed by millions of Costco customers and sits at the fabulous price point of $1.50. That right! A buck and a half for a quarter-pound, all-beef dog. Get one!
Information: Palm Beach County locations include Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Lantana and Boca Raton.
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
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