The Top 10 Hot Dogs in America You’ve Got to Try

At Coal Valley Bun Works, we take hot dogs seriously (well, as serious as we are capable of being). Our West Virginia dog has all the right moves (sauce, slaw, mustard, onions), but we know we’re not the only ones doing iconic things with a bun and frank.

So without further ado, here are the Top 10 Hot Dogs in America that You've Got to Try.

1. West Virginia Dog

Our pride and joy. A soft bun piled high with sauce (its sauce, not chili. period), creamy coleslaw, onions, and mustard. It’s messy, bold, and a rite of passage around here. The Coal Valley Signature Sauce takes it over the top.

2. Chicago Dog

This all-beef classic is loaded with mustard, onions, neon-green relish, tomato slices, a dill pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt—all on a poppy seed bun. Order one in Chicago and don’t you dare ask for ketchup.

3. New York Dog

Street cart perfection: a steamed or grilled frank topped with spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut, sometimes swapped for sweet onion sauce. Simple, portable, and pure New York.

4. Detroit Coney Dog

No beans, no nonsense. A meaty coney sauce, yellow mustard, and diced onions make this Motor City dog a legend in its own right.

5. Sonoran Dog (Arizona)

A bacon-wrapped hot dog tucked into a bolillo roll, smothered in beans, onions, tomatoes, mayo, mustard, jalapeño sauce, and avocado. This is less snack, more full-on feast.

6. Atlanta Dog

Southern comfort on a bun. Chili and coleslaw top this version, balancing creaminess and spice in every bite.

7. Seattle Dog

Unconventional, unforgettable. A grilled hot dog layered with cream cheese and sautéed onions, often with jalapeños or cabbage for extra punch.

8. Texas Dog

Spicy Texas-style chili, shredded cheese, and onions loaded onto a hearty beef frank. Everything is bigger—and hotter—in Texas.

9. Kansas City Reuben Dog

A nod to the city’s famous sandwich, this dog is dressed with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing. Tangy and indulgent.

10. Carolina Dog

A cousin to the WV dog, topped with chili, coleslaw, and onions. The difference? A little more sweetness in the slaw that gives it its own regional edge.

Final Bite

From street carts in New York to backyard grills in Texas, hot dogs tell the story of their hometowns. At Coal Valley Bun Works, we’ll always stand by the West Virginia dog as the one to beat (but we tip our hats to every city that’s made this humble snack into something iconic). If you’re hungry for the WV original (or curious how it stacks up against the rest), you know where to find us.