Haute dog: Tips for topping your hot dogs

Wieners. Wienies. Hot dogs. Frankfurters. Franks. Tube steaks. No matter what you call them, they're an American favorite. About 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on July 4, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.

Just like so many other typical American foods, the humble hot dog is subject to all kinds of toppings and regional twists. That's why they're perfect for a casual backyard cookout.

Since hot dogs are easy on the budget, you can splurge a little to "accessorize" them. Set up a condiment bar so everyone can dress up their dogs to their liking.

For inspiration, look to the ballpark, where franks always seem to taste better.

Probably the best-known is the Chicago Dog. Traditionally, the all-beef weiner is served in a poppy seed bun with yellow deli mustard, and packed with tomato wedges, sport peppers, chopped onions, a relish (more authentic if it's a neon color), a sprinkle of celery salt and a dill pickle spear.

"I've toured the country and tried a lot of regional dogs, and at the end of the day, I still really like the Chicago Dog, and not just because I'm from Chicago," said Catherine De Orio, chef for Ball Park Franks. "It's amazing, it has a lot of flavor. People are always surprised when they taste it for the first time, because there's so much going on, but all the flavors and textures work together."

The All-Star Dog reigns at Spring Mobile Ballpark, home of the Salt Lake Bees, said Mark Stedman. food services manager. "It's a 1/3-pound, all-beef frank topped with sautéed onions, sweet bell peppers, bread-and-butter pickle chips, pepper jack cheese sauce and tomato strips. It's served on a "top-cut" bun instead of the usual side-cut bun.

Stedman said the All-Star Dog was developed several years ago after he and Bees owner Larry H. Miller talked about having a signature hot dog.

"We did a taste test of different combinations, and invited a lot of different people try them, and we came up with this one. Larry and I came up with the name. We've been doing it for four years now, and it's really fun to see how popular it's become. It outsells our Chicago Dog."

There are many different kinds of hot dogs, which are actually considered a type of sausage, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. Pork. All-beef. Chicken. Turkey. Vegetarian.

And there are just as many ways to cook them.