Build a Better: Hot dog

The classic hot dog, an iconic American food, has been imbued with global flavors and inspired presentations that take it to the next level at restaurants around the country.   

At Pitchoun!, a bakery-style restaurant in L.A., one of the Café specialty sandwiches is the French Hot Dog ($9.20). It’s created with a Frankfurt sausage dipped in authentic whole grain Dijon mustard, wrapped in puff pastry and baked in the oven. It is served with mixed greens on the side, dressed with classic French vinaigrette.

During its recent Fiesta Americana event in July, Fonda in New York City offered a special menu of Mexican interpretations of American classics like beef burgers, fried fish platters and hot dogs.  The Mexico City Hot Dog was bacon-wrapped, topped with bacon and served with avocado and pico de gallo.

Also in July, to celebrate National Hot Dog and Grilling Month, the LandShark Beer Garden at Navy Pier in Chicago offered locally influenced specialties such as the Big Brat, soaked in local Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale and topped with sautéed onions ($9).

In Manhattan, KS, Harry’s Deli features a “Links” section on its menu, with items such as The Downtown Dog ($7)—a grilled hot dog with housemade pickle tomato sriracha relish on a housemade hot dog bun, drizzled with roasted garlic chevre aioli. Also available are weekly hot dog and bratwurst specials. For example the August 4 “Link of the Week” was Artichoke and Roasted Corn Tuscan ($4.50) char-grilled Tuscan sausage served in a housemade hot dog bun. The sandwich was topped with artichoke and roasted corn sauté and drizzled with smoked red pepper coulis.

On the lunch menu at Fleur by Hubert Keller at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, the Wagyu Hot Dog ($16) is served on pretzel bread with housemade sauerkraut, mustard and frites.

In NYC, Flat-Top Dogs (100 percent all-natural beef, split and griddles crisp) served at Shake Shack’s Theater District location include the ShackMeister Dog ($4), topped with Shack cheddar and American cheese sauce and crispy ShackMeister ale-marinated shallots. Shake Shack recently made the top of Foursquare’s list of the Top 40 Hot Dog Joints in the U.S., based on Foursquare user ratings.

F.L.X. Wienery in Dundee, NY, features premium local wieners and housemade sausages. Wiener choices ($2.95, with iceberg lettuce, tomato, red onion and potato roll or potato bread) include Zweigle’s White Hots, Shirk’s Smoked Dog and the Corn-It. Wiener-Art combinations range from The Kraut ($5.95, brown mustard, kraut, herbs and fried onions) to the Whole Hog ($9.95, with fried onions, bacon, cheese curd, corn relish, fried egg, chipotle mayo and herbs).

A Thai-influenced sausage rendition, Another Night in Bangkok, is offered by Pasadena-based Dog Haus at its various locations. Culinary Director Michael Brown says, “The inspiration behind Another Night in Bangkok was to take an amazing Red Thai Currywurst sausage we already had and highlight its flavor profile by applying earthy and crisp undertones with the use of a spicy peanut sauce and a fresh Asian slaw. What I find to be the most appealing thing about the dish—besides the abundance of flavors—is its simplistic beauty, so colorful, textural and inviting.”