The hot dog is an all-American classic. In fact, frankfurters are served in 95% of US homes, where Americans consume some 20 billion hot dogs a year, according to a 2016 survey conducted by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.
As the Fourth of July and National Hot Dog Day fast approach, finder.com sought out the craziest ways Americans dress up their dogs. We ranked top unique toppings, pricing out their overall cost to see what these fancy dogs will run you, should you dare to try them.
And we didn’t stop at the rankings: We asked competitive eater and former Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest contestant Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti to reveal his expert opinion on festooning your footlong.
“Hot dogs show the melting pot of immigrants that came into the country, taking the german sausage and adding condiments to their cultures tastes,” says Bertoletti. “My crazy ideal hot dog is an all-natural beef kosher dog, boiled, topped with chicken and andouille gumbo, pepper jack cheese, roasted garlic sour cream and green onions.”
You may have heard of a traditional “cheese dog.” Go gourmet Greek by swapping your taco cheese for feta. Feta isn’t too pricey, helping you to spruce up your meal so that guests feel like they’re enjoying a five-star dog.
Here’s another rendition of the classic cheese dog made a little classier. Let crumbled bleu cheese melt before digging in! Bleu is more expensive than feta, but it blasts your dog to gourmet levels.
You put it on your quesadilla — why not try it on your hot dog! Throw on some guacamole to add fresh taste and color. Plus, now you can tell everyone at the barbeque that your dog is “healthy” for less than five extra dollars.
You’d be surprised how well a savory dog mixes with fresh mango salsa. Make your taste buds dance with this sweet, unexpected topping your guests will love!
Swap the ketchup and mustard for tzatziki and hummus for a Greek twist on this American classic. At more than $10 on toppings, this one’s a splurge with a worthy reward.
If you’re down for all-day breakfast, this fried egg–hot dog combo may be your holy grail. And you’re free to enjoy it right out of bed! Eggs aren’t the cheapest topping, but you probably have at least a few in your fridge, saving you from shelling out the $5.24 this July.
What better way to show your patriotism this Fourth than by embracing two US traditions: Independence Day and Thanksgiving. These toppings are rich, but you don’t have to be to afford them: stuffing and gravy ring in at less than $3.
Add a little crunch and heat by topping your dog off with dried wasabi peas. This simple addition adds a flavorful kick and fun texture. And at $5.37, you get a crispy topping and a snack.
Louisiana, this one’s for you: Introducing the crawfish étouffée dog. Top your hot dog with creole and cajun flavor for this New Orleans classic that’s dressed to impress. It may sound expensive, but toppings top out at just over $5.
Beet chips are like their potato cousins — but elevated. Top your ballpark treat with this crunchy, colorful addition that’s our most expensive pick, but a choice you can’t “beet.”
Sweeten up your July Fourth by adding pineapple to your footlong. Bonus points for grilling it ahead of time. At $5.18, this fruity dog costs just as much as a crawfish étouffée — which will you choose?
For under $6, swap your traditional relish for a zesty cherry variety. This unexpected twist is sweet, spicy and sure to please.
You’ll want to take someone out to the ballgame and buy them some Cracker Jacks with this ballpark frankfurter! Add caramel popcorn on a hot dog for a sweet twist that sets you back about three bucks! Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
We know what you’re thinking: “What the fluff is this?!” It sounds crazy, but turning your hot dog into a traditional fluffernutter knocks out your taste buds for just $4. For extra flavor, add peanut butter and chocolate sauce for the dessert dog of your dreams.
The creators of its slogan — “The flavor of fruit!” — couldn’t have imagined topping your hot dog with Fruit Loops. For the cost of a morning coffee, add this sweet, multicolored breakfast classic to get tongues wagging with leftovers for breakfast the next day.How much will we be spending on dad for Father’s Day in 2023?
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