Record-breaking traffic. Rain. President Trump’s decision to move $2.5 million from the National Park Service budget to pay for an over-the-top Independence Day parade complete with tanks. With all of the July 4th gloom to wallow in, why not drown your sorrows in food? And what better food for July 4th emotional eating than the humble hot dog? There is no substitute for a juicy frank, especially when it’s consumed under the delightful glow of retro neon.
To that end, AN has rounded up America’s high-design sausage sit-downs, weenie joints, and tube steak emporiums so you, dear reader, may eat in style this holiday weekend:
Chicago’s Superdawg has been slinging topping-heavy hot dogs since 1948.
This 1970s North Carolina mini-chain operates out of huts shaped like dog houses (woof!). The trash cans are designed to look like fire hydrants.
The big (literal) orange that is Mark’s Hot Dogs has been a fixture in San Jose since 1936.
The National Register of Historic Places–listed, family-owned, pagoda-shaped Walter’s splits its dogs like a book before they hit the grill. Across the street from Mamaroneck High School, the stand has served up tube steaks to teens and country club dads for 100 years.
The Coney Island Hot Dog Stand is a duck of a dog! It’s Boomer-aged but the franks are always fresh.
Green roof? No, I said ween(ie) roof! The fiberglass-and-steel tube steak on top of Wienerlicious is 60 feet long and it’s perfect. This guy agrees: