Best Gourmet Hot Dog Toppings (Specialty Hot Dogs)

Tara Williams

Food Writer & Editor For KitchenSanity

Tara Williams is a seasoned food writer and editor who's been with KitchenSanity since its beginning. With a knack for experimenting with food and creating delicious recipes, she's your go-to for straightforward kitchen advice and practical tips from personal experiences. As a mom of two, Tara understands the value of time. She crafts articles that enhance your cooking skills and free up time for what matters most—like family moments.

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Before we get started with ingredients and toppings, let’s answer what a gourmet hot dog is.

A gourmet hot dog is a high-quality hot dog that’s often made with premium ingredients and topped with unique, creative, and sometimes luxurious toppings.

In this list, we’ll cover these specialty hot dogs that have been reinvented, reimagined, and loaded up with a smorgasbord of toppings.

Each specialty hot dog tells a story about the place it comes from, reflecting local tastes and traditions. They’re a delicious way to explore the world, so let’s get started one bite at a time.

American Hot Dog Toppings

To start things off, I have to talk about the beauty of American hot dogs because they can vary greatly depending on where in the USA you are.

If you’re in New York, you might enjoy one topped with spicy brown mustard, sauerkraut, and onions sautéed in tomato paste.

new york hot dog

It’s a simple combination, but one that’s full of flavor. The mustard adds a tangy kick, the sauerkraut adds a bit of crunch and tang, and the onions add a sweet, savory note.

In Chicago, you’ll find cooked hot dogs loaded with yellow mustard, sweet green pickle relish, chopped raw onion, tomato slices, a dill pickle spear, peppers, and a sprinkle of celery salt, all nestled in a poppy seed bun.

chicago hot dog

It’s a feast of flavors and textures that’s as vibrant and diverse as the city itself.

Down in the South, particularly in places like Atlanta, you might come across a “slaw dog,” which is a hot dog topped with coleslaw.

slaw hot dog

The coleslaw adds a creamy, tangy flavor and a crunchy texture that’s a perfect contrast to the juicy hot dog.

Out West, in places like Los Angeles, you might enjoy a “danger dog” or a “street dog,” which is a bacon-wrapped and topped with grilled onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, mayo, mustard, and ketchup.

danger hot dog

It’s a spicy, hearty treat that’s perfect for a late-night snack.

So, no matter where you are in the USA, there’s a hot dog topping combination to suit your tastes.

Coney Island Hot Dog Toppings

coney island hot dog

Ingredients:

  • Chili
  • Grated cheese
  • Onions
  • Nathan’s® hot dog

Nathan’s® hot dog is a brand that’s been a staple of Coney Island for over a century. It’s got a snappy casing and a juicy, beefy flavor that’s the perfect base for your toppings.

Next, you’ll smother your hot dog in chili. This hearty topping is rich, meaty, and a little bit spicy. It adds a robust flavor that transforms your hot dog into a hearty meal.

Then, you’ll sprinkle on some grated cheese. As it melts over the hot chili, it creates a creamy, gooey layer that adds a touch of richness. The cheese also contrasts with the spicy chili, making each bite a perfect blend of flavors.

Finally, you’ll top it all off with some diced onions. The onions add a fresh, sharp flavor that cuts through the richness of the chili and cheese. They also add a bit of crunch, making your Coney Island hot dog a feast for the senses.

So there you have it, a hot dog that’s a tribute to the classic Coney Island style.

Reuben Hot Dog Toppings

rueben hot dogs

Ingredients:

  • Pastrami
  • Sauerkraut
  • Swiss cheese
  • Thousand Island dressing
  • King’s® Hawaiian bun

Think about a hot dog that’s got all the flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich. That’s what you’re creating with these toppings.

It’s best to create this masterpiece on a King’s® Hawaiian bun. These buns are slightly sweet and incredibly soft, providing a delicious contrast to the savory toppings.

First, you’ll layer some pastrami on a regular hot dog. This cured meat is full of flavor, with a smoky, peppery taste that adds a whole new dimension to your hot dog.

Next, you’ll pile on some sauerkraut. This fermented cabbage is tangy and a little bit crunchy, adding a refreshing contrast to the rich pastrami. It’s a classic Reuben ingredient, and it works just as well on a hot dog.

Then, you’ll add a slice of Swiss cheese. As it melts, it creates a creamy, nutty layer that adds a touch of richness. The cheese helps to balance out the tangy sauerkraut and the savory pastrami.

To top it all off, you’ll drizzle on some Thousand Island dressing. This creamy dressing adds a bit of sweetness and a tangy kick that ties all the other ingredients together. It’s the finishing touch that makes your Reuben hot dog complete.

So there you have it, a hot dog that’s a fusion of American and German flavors.

Animal Style Hot Dog Toppings

Ingredients:

  • American cheese
  • Grilled onions
  • Thousand Island dressing

Imagine transforming your hot dog into a feast inspired by the iconic “Animal Style” from In-N-Out Burger.

The first thing you’ll do is lay a slice of American cheese on your hot dog. As it melts, it wraps your hot dog in a blanket of creamy, gooey goodness. The cheese adds a rich, tangy flavor that’s a perfect match for the savory hot dog.

Now, let’s talk about grilled onions. When you add these to your hot dog, you’re introducing a sweet, slightly charred flavor that’s downright irresistible.

The onions become soft and caramelized as they grill, and they add a layer of flavor that’s both sweet and savory.

But what really sets this hot dog apart is the Thousand Island dressing. This tangy, creamy dressing is a mix of mayo, ketchup, and relish, and it adds a burst of flavor that ties everything together. It’s a bit sweet, a bit tangy, and totally delicious.

The result is a hot dog that’s bursting with flavor and loaded with toppings. It’s a bit messy, a bit indulgent, and totally worth it.

Breakfast Hot Dog Toppings

Ingredients:

  • Hot dog wrapped in bacon
  • Scrambled eggs
  • American cheese
  • Siracha sauce
  • Chives
  • King’s® Hawaiian bun

Imagine starting your day with a breakfast hot dog. Yes, it’s not your typical breakfast, but it’s a delicious twist that’s sure to get your day off to a great start.

The star of this show is a hot dog wrapped in bacon. As the bacon cooks, it crisps up, adding a smoky, savory, irresistible flavor.

Next up, you’ll add scrambled eggs. They’re soft, fluffy, and lightly seasoned, adding a comforting, familiar taste to the mix. The eggs provide a creamy contrast to the crisp bacon and the juicy hot dog.

Then, you’ll add a slice of American cheese, making each bite a perfect blend of savory, smoky, and creamy.

You’ll drizzle on some Siracha sauce to give it a bit of a kick.

This spicy sauce adds a bit of heat that wakes up your taste buds and balances out the richness of the other ingredients.

You’ll also sprinkle on some fresh chives for freshness and a pop of color.

It’s a breakfast experience that’s sure to make your morning a bit more exciting.

Tijuana Hot Dog Toppings

Ingredients:

  • Hot dog wrapped in bacon
  • Onions
  • Pickled jalapenos
  • Crema

Let’s take you south of the border to explore the flavors of a Tijuana hot dog.

This Mexican-inspired treat starts with a hot dog wrapped in bacon. This forms a delicious base that’s ready for a variety of toppings.

Next, you’ll add some onions. You can choose raw onions for a sharp, fresh flavor or grilled onions for a sweeter, more mellow taste.

Either way, the onions add a bit of crunch and a lot of flavor. It’s a simple addition but one that makes a big difference.

For a bit of heat, you’ll add pickled jalapenos. These spicy peppers add a kick that’s sure to wake up your taste buds. But because they’re pickled, they also have a tangy flavor that adds another layer of complexity.

Finally, you’ll drizzle on some crema. This Mexican-style cream is a bit thinner than sour cream with a slightly tangy flavor. It adds a creamy, cooling contrast to the spicy jalapenos and the savory hot dog and bacon.

Plus, it makes your Tijuana hot dog look as good as it tastes, with a final touch that’s both delicious and visually appealing.

Japanese Hot Dog Toppings

Ingredients:

  • Kewpie® – Japanese Style Mayo
  • Grated daikon radish
  • Dried seaweed

You’re about to take your taste buds on a journey to Japan with a uniquely topped hot dog that’s a fusion of American and Japanese flavors.

First up, you’ll drizzle on some Kewpie® mayo. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill mayo. It’s a Japanese-style version that’s creamier and tangier with a hint of sweetness. It adds a rich, velvety layer to your hot dog that’s a real game-changer.

Next, you’ll top it with grated daikon radish. Daikon is a type of radish that’s a staple in Japanese cuisine. It has a mild, very lightly sweet flavor and a crunchy texture. When you grate it over your hot dog, it adds a refreshing difference to the rich mayo and the savory hot dog.

Last but not least, you’ll sprinkle on some dried seaweed. This gives your hot dog a hint of the sea with a slightly salty, umami flavor that enhances the other ingredients.

It also adds a bit of crunch and a dark green color that makes your Japanese hot dog a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Street Corn Hot Dog Toppings

street corn hot dogs

Ingredients:

  • Roasted corn
  • Cotija cheese
  • Lime juice
  • Tajin powder
  • Salt
  • Buttered bun

Imagine a hot dog that captures the flavors of Mexican street corn. This is exactly what you’ll get with these toppings.

You’ll start with a hot dog in a buttered bun. The bun is lightly toasted and buttered, adding a bit of richness and a slight crunch.

Now comes time for the roasted corn. The corn adds a sweet, slightly smoky flavor and a delightful crunch to your hot dog. It’s a taste of summer that’s perfect for a backyard barbecue.

Next, you’ll sprinkle on some Cotija cheese. This Mexican cheese is crumbly and salty, adding a rich, tangy flavor that goes perfectly with the sweet corn. It’s a bit like feta but with a unique flavor that’s all its own.

Then, you’ll squeeze on some fresh lime juice. The lime juice adds a tangy, citrusy note that brightens up the flavors. It cuts through the richness of the cheese and the sweetness of the corn, adding a refreshing twist to your hot dog.

You’ll also sprinkle on some Tajin powder. This Mexican seasoning is a mix of chili peppers, lime, and salt. It adds a bit of heat and a tangy kick that makes the flavors really pop.

Classic BLT Hot Dog Toppings

Ingredients:

  • Hot dog wrapped in bacon
  • Shredded romaine lettuce
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Mayo
  • Buttered bun

The bun is lightly toasted and buttered, adding a bit of richness and a slight crunch. You’ll also spread on some mayo.

The mayo adds a creamy, tangy flavor that ties all the other ingredients together. It’s a bit like the dressing on a salad, adding a touch of richness and a hint of tanginess.

You’ll then have your hot dog wrapped in bacon on the bun because bacon is a hearty, satisfying base perfect for piling on the toppings.

Next, you’ll add some shredded romaine lettuce. The lettuce adds a fresh, crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the crisp bacon and the juicy hot dog.

Then, you’ll sprinkle on some diced tomatoes. The tomatoes add a juicy, sweet flavor that complements the savory bacon and the fresh lettuce.

They’re a classic part of a BLT and work just as well on a hot dog.

Vietnamese Hot Dog Toppings

Ingredients:

  • Pickled daikon and carrots
  • Mayo
  • Cilantro
  • Cucumber
  • Jalapeno

You’ll start with pickled daikon and carrots. These tangy and sweet veggies add a refreshing crunch to your hot dog. They’re a staple in Vietnamese cuisine and add a unique flavor profile to your hot dog.

Next, you’ll spread on some mayo. The mayo adds a creamy, tangy flavor that balances out the tanginess of the pickled veggies. It’s a simple addition that adds a touch of richness.

Then, you’ll sprinkle on some fresh cilantro. The cilantro adds a burst of fresh, herbal flavor that brightens up the other ingredients. It’s a bit like adding a fresh salad right on top of your hot dog.

You’ll also add some slices of fresh cucumber. The cucumber adds a cool, crisp texture that contrasts nicely with the other toppings. It’s a refreshing addition that makes your hot dog taste even more refreshing.

Finally, for a bit of heat, you’ll add some slices of jalapeno.

The jalapeno adds a spicy kick that wakes up your taste buds and balances out the other flavors. It’s the perfect finishing touch for your Vietnamese hot dog.

German Hot Dog Toppings

Ingredients:

  • Beef Frankfurter
  • Ground mustard
  • Sauerkraut
  • Onion

Envision a hot dog that brings together the hearty flavors of German cuisine.

You’ll begin with a beef Frankfurter, a type of sausage that’s a staple in Germany. It’s juicy, flavorful, and the perfect base for your toppings.

Next, you’ll spread some ground mustard on your hot dog. This condiment is a bit spicy and a bit tangy, adding a burst of flavor that complements the beef Frankfurter.

Then, you’ll pile on some sauerkraut. This fermented cabbage is tangy and a bit crunchy, refreshingly contrasting with the rich sausage. It’s a classic German ingredient that works just as well on this hot dog.

Finally, you’ll sprinkle on some diced onions. The onions add a fresh, sharp flavor that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients. They also add a bit of crunch, making your German hot dog a feast for the senses.

Written By Tara Williams

Tara Williams is a seasoned food writer and editor who's been with KitchenSanity since its beginning. With a knack for experimenting with food and creating delicious recipes, she's your go-to for straightforward kitchen advice and practical tips from personal experiences. As a mom of two, Tara understands the value of time. She crafts articles that enhance your cooking skills and free up time for what matters most—like family moments.

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