Traditional Condiments –
Mustard – A mustard used for hot dogs is typically a yellow or Dijon-style mustard. Yellow mustard, also known as American mustard, is smooth and mild, with a bright yellow color. It’s made from mustard seeds, vinegar, water, salt, and sometimes spices like turmeric or paprika, which give it its characteristic color and tangy flavor.
Dijon mustard – on the other hand, has a slightly more complex flavor profile. It’s made from brown or black mustard seeds, white wine (or sometimes vinegar), water, salt, and often other spices or herbs. Dijon mustard is smoother and slightly sharper than yellow mustard, with a hint of wine flavor and a more pronounced mustard seed taste.
Both types of mustard complement hot dogs beautifully, adding a tangy, zesty kick that enhances the savory flavor of the sausage. Whether you prefer the classic simplicity of yellow mustard or the sophisticated taste of Dijon, mustard is a quintessential condiment for hot dogs, adding just the right amount of flavor and moisture to each bite.
Ketchup/Catsup – Are essentially the same thing. A tomato-based condiment, with “ketchup” being the more widely accepted spelling in the English-speaking regions, while “catsup’ is used in certain parts of the United States, particularly in the South; both originate from the same word.
Relish– A pickled mix of chopped fruits, vegetables or herbs made with main ingredients of sugar, vinegar, spices. Other ingredients can be added for variations like mustard pickle relish or onion relish. Relish can be sweet-sour, sour or even spicy.
Onions – Are a condiment adding flavor to all sorts of foods. Although the aroma of some onions is so strong it will make eyes water, in small amounts enhance the taste and flavor of the other ingredients.
Pickles – A pickle for hot dogs is typically a dill pickle spear or slice. Dill pickles are cucumbers that have been pickled in a brine made of vinegar, water, salt, dill, garlic, and other spices. These pickles are known for their crisp texture and tangy, slightly sour flavor with hints of dill and garlic.
When added to a hot dog, a dill pickle provides a refreshing contrast to the savory flavors of the sausage and other toppings. Its crisp texture adds a satisfying crunch with each bite, while its tanginess helps cut through the richness of the hot dog and other condiments.
Whether placed alongside the hot dog in the bun or chopped up and added as a topping, dill pickles bring a burst of flavor and texture that enhances the overall eating experience. They’re a classic accompaniment to hot dogs, offering a delicious balance of tartness and crunch that complements the meaty goodness of the sausage.
Cheese Sauce – Nacho Cheese sauce delivers a bold nacho taste as a topping with seasoned chili powder and onions.
Chili Sauce – Chili topping on a hot dog adds a complex flavor profile mixing a variety of spices working together with seasoned tomatoes to bring great blend of chili spices to add another option as a condiment.
Here are many toppings with regional roots showing their take and preference for topping a hot dog-
New York– While you can visit a hot dog spot in NYC and get plenty of toppings to choose from — ketchup, mustard, chili, relish, and more — a traditional New York-style hot dog uses a specific combo of toppings. Mustard, sauerkraut, and a unique type of tomato-heavy onion relish are must-haves, whether the hot dogs themselves are boiled or grilled for the coveted “snap” when bitten. The mustard can be either yellow or spicy brown, depending on who you ask (and of course, personal preference).
Chicago– The possible antithesis to New York dogs, Chicago dogs are layered with yellow mustard, dark green relish, chopped raw onion, pickle spear, sport peppers, tomato slices and topped with a dash of celery salt and served in a poppy seed bun.
Atlanta and the South – Buying a hot dog at Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves, or elsewhere in Atlanta and the south, you’ll find your dog topped with coleslaw and perhaps some delicious Vidalia onions.
Kansas City -Get the mints out – you’ll need them when you order up a hot dog in KC as it is served with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese on a sesame seed bun.
The Rockie Dog – Served at Coors Field, the home of the Colorado Rockies – is a foot-long dog with grilled peppers, kraut and onions.
The Fenway Frank – Served at none other than Fenway Park – is the only dog to eat while watching the Red Sox. It’s boiled and grilled and served in a New England style bun with mustard and relish. New England dogs can also be found topped with Boston baked beans
Sonoran Dog – This Southwestern favorite features a grilled, bacon-wrapped hot dog on a sturdy bun, pinto beans, grilled onions and green peppers, chopped fresh tomatoes, relish, tomatillo jalapeno salsa, mayonnaise, mustard and shredded cheese.
The Texas Dog – Chili, cheese and jalapenos make this the favored item at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Michigan Coney Island Dog (AKA Michigan Coney) – This favorite of Michiganders features a meaty chili sauce on top of a hot dog with mustard and onion.
West Virginia Dog – This favorite features chili, mustard and coleslaw atop a wiener on a steamed bun.
New Jersey Dog – A variety of hot dog styles can be found in New Jersey but the one most unique to the state is the Italian Dog. It’s a hot dog in thick pizza bread topped with onions, peppers and deep-fried potatoes.
Philadelphia Dog – A classic Philadelphia dog is one of the most interesting ones you’ll find. It features the brotherly love of an all-beef hot dog with a fish cake inside the bun as well. It is often topped with a sweet vinegary slaw and spicy mustard.
Cleveland Polish Boy – Cleveland is home to two unique hot dog offerings. The Polish Boy is a kielbasa or hot dog served on a bun covered with a layer of french fries, a layer of sweet southern style barbecue sauce or hot sauce, and a layer of coleslaw. It is commonly found in carts around town. At Guardians games and elsewhere in the city you can also top your hot dog with Stadium Mustard, a type of Brown mustard with similar flavor to a spicy Dijon mustard.
Cincinnati Coney – The home of famous chili is also the home of some delicious chili dogs. These are topped with Cincinnati style chili and usually also feature a heaping mound of grated cheddar cheese on top.
Washington, D.C. – The Nation’s Capital is where you’ll find the half-smoke: a half pork, half beef sausage that is like a hot dog but with more coarsely ground meat and a little extra spice. A classic half-smoke is topped with chili, mustard and onions. You can find them in hot dog joints around the city as well as at Nationals Park.
California – There are many different hot dog varieties sold throughout the state of California, but the one most unique to the state is a bacon wrapped dog with grilled onions and peppers. These are favorites from carts around Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Seattle – The Seattle dog offers a topping twist not found in many places around the country…cream cheese. The hot dogs are split in half and grilled before being put in a toasted bun and are also topped with grilled onions. Sriracha sauce and jalapeños are popular additions as well.
Alaska – True to its roots in the far north, the Alaska dog is commonly called a Reindeer hot dog or sausage, but it isn’t Instead, from reindeer meat. Instead, the meat is typically caribou. The hot dog is served in a steamed bun with grilled onions that are sometimes sautéed in Coca-Cola.