I was flipping through the channels and saw that a show called Hot Dog Paradise was airing on the Travel Channel. Fortunately for me, the show just began.
First stop: Nathan's in Brooklyn. They specifically mentioned Nathan's in Coney Island. I did go to Coney Island last year and ate at Nathan's. Not specifically to visit Nathan's, but to see and experience Coney Island before Coney Island shut down for good. Nathan's was yummy. New Yorkers agree that ketchup on hot dog is a sacrilege.
Next stop: Pink's in Hollywood. Huge variety, some dogs are celebrity-created or celebrity-inspired. The Martha Stewart dog was created by the Domestic Powerhouse herself. Also sounds like a good place for a celebrity sighting since the movie studios are close by.
Next stop: The Varsity in Atlanta. This place is huge, known as the world's biggest hot dog stand, taking up a whole city block. Also the world's largest drive-in, accommodating up to 600 cars. The lines move quickly, so be ready to order when you're up.
Two stops in Chicago. First one is Superdawg, which is known internationally. I haven't been there yet, but friends and I have talked about going there to check it out. The superdawgs here are smoky and garlicy - sounds good to me! If you order a "hot dog" there, they will tell you that they don't serve hot dogs. They only serve superdawgs.
Second one is Hot Doug's. I love how they show the restaurant with no line. They must've closed the location to film, because there's always a line. [Watching this bit now is making me hungry.] What more can I say about this place? It's delicious!
Next stop: Jimmy Buff's in Newark. They're known for the "Italian" which is two hot dogs stuffed in half a loaf of pizza bread, with sautéed onions, peppers, and potatoes. All the ingredients are deep-fried. You can also get the "Italian" with two sausages or with one hot dog and one sausage.
Last stop: Franktitude in Miami. This place caters to the calorie-conscious. They have a salmon frank, chicken franks, tofu franks, and the traditional dog. Offer the franks in non-traditional forms: burrito, panini, ciabatta, and salad. Non-traditional toppings include avocado, artichokes, mandarins, cranberries, green peas, chow mein noodles, and bacon.
