We’ve got the perfect remedy for people who love hot dogs but don’t like baseball. Don’t go to a baseball game. Instead, visit the top dogs for hot dogs as recommended by Roadfood authors Jane & Michael Stern. According to the couple, hot dogs are the most varied food group in the nation so have your dog and eat it too at one of these roadside temples to clogged arteries:

• Superdawg: Chicago is known to be one of America’s fattest cities and it’s no wonder - Superdawg is the Michael Jordan of stands. This vintage drive-in features two huge anthropomorphic hot dog statues atop the roof that rumor has it can be seen from space. Firm, all-beef Superdawgs are topped with boatloads of condiments. Try the brilliant spruce-green piccalilli relish with a Supermalt, Supersoda, or Supershake and a side of crinkle-cut fries. Better book two seats on the way back. (6363 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL)
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• Ted’s: Not just a city of wing nuts, Buffalo is also home to one of the country’s top hot dogs. The chefs at Ted’s beat the dogs into submission by poking, slapping and squishing the suckers to puncture the skin, allowing the dogs to suck in maximum smoke flavor. Condiments are plentiful so consult with the countermen, known as “dressers”, to select the right garnishes for you. The Sterns recommend Ted’s hot sauce, a peppery concoction laced with bits of relish. (2312 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda (Buffalo), NY)
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• Pink’s: The line of celebrity limos outside Pink’s will tell you’ve arrived at the right place. The all-beef dogs have been served here since 1939 and have catered to more stars than a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon. But don’t let Bruce Willis creep to the front of the line-even if he did propose to Demi Moore over a famous Pink dog. And don’t forget to bring your entourage. (709 N. La Brea Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA)
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• Otto’s Sausage Kitchen: According to Jane and Michael, this neighborhood meat market, which opened in 1927, makes hot dogs that transcend weeniehood. With so many varieties of dog to choose from–traditional beef-and-pork links to extra-large sausages made from chicken or pork-it’s worth loosening the belt and trying more than one. (4138 S. E. Woodstock Boulevard, Portland, OR)
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Get the Fare Buzz for these top dogs and six other restaurants recommended by Jane & Michael Stern’s Roadfood from your home airport.

That’s all for now folks - we’re dog tired.
Steve and Paul, Kayak.com co-founders

All photos courtsey of Jane & Michael Stern’s Roadfood.com.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 27th, 2006 at 11:49 am and is filed under Newsletters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.