Top 8 Northeastern American Hot Dogs

Despite the name, Michigan hot dogs are practically unknown in Michigan. They are traditionally produced in New York State and Québec. This tasty street food staple consists of a long steamed roll and a steamed hot dog sausage in natural casing, and the whole thing is topped with a meaty sauce called Michigan sauce, chopped onions, and occasionally, yellow mustard. The sauce is thick and chunky, typically made with tomatoes, vinegar, brown sugar, and cabbage, while the onions may be ordered with or buried (under the sauce).Expand

Bagel dog is a variety of a hot dog consisting of a regular or small-sized hot dog sausage wrapped in bagel dough. Visually, it is quite similar to pigs in a blanket. This street food staple is especially popular in New York City, Cincinnati, and Chicago. Bagel dogs are commonly topped with poppy seeds before baking in order to enrich the dish with new flavors and textures, but other ingredients such as cheese, onions, and garlic can also be added to these tasty hot dogs. It is believed that the dish was invented in 1980 by Milan R. Burger in North Carolina.Expand

In Boston, hot dogs are typically served steamed, unlike many other hot dog varieties which are grilled. These hot dogs are often served with baked beans, a true Bostonian staple. The buns should not be large, and they are traditionally cut on the side, so they are thinner and don't overpower the hot dog. Sometimes, the buns are additionally griddled with butter. The most common toppings for Boston hot dogs include mustard, ketchup, chopped onions, and picalilli – a chunky relish made with pickled vegetables and various spices.Expand

Reuben dog is an American hot dog variety that's believed to originate from New York City. In order to prepare it, split hot dog buns are topped with a hot dog sausage (often pan-fried in butter), Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing or Russian dressing. It's essentially the hot dog version of a classic Reuben sandwich. Corned beef can also be added to the hot dog, if desired.Expand

Even though it's hard to pinpoint the exact point in time when Fenway franks were invented, it is believed that they were first sold soon after the park's 1912 opening. Since then, these delicious hot dogs have become popular fan favorites at baseball games and a true Boston staple. Unlike other ballpark hot dogs which are typically either grilled or steamed, Fenway franks are boiled and grilled, then placed in a split bread roll and consumed plain or topped with various relishes or mustard. This hot dog variety is characterized by its bold flavors because the meat is flavored with garlic, onion, and mustard, and the sausages are then cooled using a special process in order to preserve the juiciness.Expand

Italian hot dog was invented in Newark, New Jersey and consists of large loaves of pizza bread (with a hole in the middle) which are quartered, sliced, then filled with deep-fried sausages, onions, peppers, and crispy fried potatoes that are soft in the middle. The tender pizza bread holds all of the ingredients together, soaks up some of the grease, and is typically baked by local Italian bakers, hence the name of this unique hot dog variety.Expand

Ripper is a colloquial term for a unique kind of hot dog which is lightly deep-fried in oil, and as a result, some casings are known to burst or rip, giving the dish its name. This special hot dog was invented at Rutt's Hut, a restaurant in Clifton, New Jersey, which is also famous for its homemade mustard-based relish consisting of onions, carrots, and cabbage. In addition to Rippers, there are also well-done dogs called Wellers, and very well done dogs that are deep-fried for a long time, called Cremators. Rippers are sometimes accompanied by onion rings, and were featured in the Travel Channel special called Hot Dog Heaven. A New Jersey staple since 1928, Rutt's Hut continues to attract customers from all over the world just to try this greasy, flavorful hot dog.Expand

Texas Tommy is a Pennsylvanian variety of a hot dog, consisting of a toasted bun filled with a split and grilled or fried hot dog sausage, crispy slices of bacon, and heaps of cheese. The earliest versions had sausages that were wrapped in bacon before being grilled, and it is suggested that Texas Tommy possible influenced the creation of Tijuana dogs. This hot dog variety gained popularity in the 1950s, especially with housewives, as recipes for bacon-wrapped hot dogs appeared regularly in ladies magazines. Today, it is a staple at diners in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and New Jersey.Expand