The 13 best hot dogs in Boston

By the look of this French bistrot’s swanky dining room, it might be hard to believe that the kitchen offers one of the best and most iconic hot dogs in all of Boston—but it does. Troquet on South has continued the tradition of the Speed Dog, a hot dog delicacy dating back to 1975, when Ezra “Speed” Anderson started selling them out of his famous cart in Roxbury’s Newmarket Square. After Ezra’s passing, his widow gifted Troquet owner Chris Campbell with the Speed Dog’s secret recipe and gave her blessing for him to bring back these bunned beauties. Order one of these dogs and you’ll see that they remain unchanged—they’re still the half-pound, all-beef Pearl frank topped with special chili sauce, sweet relish, mustard and chopped onions that our city knows and loves.  

This wine bar is just as much a master of the bun as it is the bottle. Each week, haley.henry goes beyond its typical menu of tinned fish and charcuterie to offer a Weiner Wednesday special, letting folks chow down on a fully loaded dog as they sip glasses of expertly curated, natural wines. Keep in mind that these hot dog specials change every time, so you could expect your weiner to be topped with homemade pesto one week, and then crushed potato chips the next.

In typical Ivory Pearl fashion, this Brookline joint has reimagined the hot dog in a major way. While other eateries may stuff their buns with tubed pork and/or beef, this seafood-heavy spot has instead opted for octopus and created its highly Instagrammable, truly delicious tentacle dog. This fishy take on a hot dog is finished with sauerkraut, roe, whole grain mustard and fresh slices of green apple (yes, apple). And while some people may say it’s sacrilege, we say it’s heaven. 

You should expect a special sausage when it's coming from a German restaurant, and Bronwyn's Brondog certainly manages to impress. The pork- and beef-blend frankfurter is served on a homemade potato bread roll. Chili, melted comte cheese, gourmet ketchup and mustard take things to a whole new level. Don’t miss Brondog Tuesdays, when special footlong variations include the likes of a Pizza Dog, Sloppy Joe Dog, Breakfast Dog and Green Goddess Dog.

Folks love Trina's because of the steady stream of comfort food coming out of the kitchen, and its griddled hot dogs are no exception. There are five frank options on the menu, including a tofu pup, corn dog and chili cheese dog. If you're up for anything, the dog of the day is the way to go—previous creations include a pancake-battered dog rolled in Frosted Flakes, then fried and finished with sriracha sea salt and maple dijon dipping sauce.

Bacon-lovers eagerly track this pink truck on Twitter to find out where it will stop. People who have experienced its special hot dog follow it even closer, as this rare delicacy is usually announced mere hours before its appearance. Wrapped in bacon and deep-fried, this is a dog worth waiting for, so keep your eyes peeled.

To accompany some of the best beer on the planet, you’ll need a dog or two for sustenance—and Bukowski’s has several options. Go for the standard Mad Dog on a toasted bun—single or twin—or opt for a veggie version. If that's still not hearty enough for you, spring for the Chili Cheese Mad Dog with three-bean chili and shredded cheddar. All franks come with french fries, potato chips or homemade potato salad—and for the love of God, do not ask for tots. 

Move over giant burrito because when El Pelón Taqueria offers its Sonoran hot dog special, that's the menu item to try. The bacon-wrapped hot dog is topped with a thin, spicy guacamilillo, hot mayo, yellow mustard and even more bacon.

Lone Star attracts hordes of students for cheap tacos and Mexican street fare, like grilled elote, refried bean tostadas and huevos rancheros. But don't miss the Sonoran-style hot dog, a bacon-wrapped Pearl hot dog topped with refried beans, Longhorn cheese, roasted salsa, chipotle mustard and crema.

For a cheap, satisfying hot dog, head to Southie, where Sullivan’s has been dishing them out for more than 60 years. The simple steamed weiner is served on a toasted bun for a mere $2.60. Enjoy it “all around,” with mustard, relish and onion. For a few more coins, get one with chili and cheese.

Alongside the roster of delicious burgers at this homegrown burger joint is a classic and worthy hot dog. The all-beef frank is served on a toasted bun. Add toppings like chili, cheese and sauerkraut.

Saus is all about the fries and sauces, but their “friks”—beef and pork sausages—are also shining stars. Served on Iggy's brioche, they come in a few different varieties that, of course, incorporate this spot's famous sauces. Try the spicy option, with pickled jalapenos and smoky chipotle sauce, or the “Burger...Kinda” option, with dill pickles, sharp cheddar and secret sauce.

Go big at this tiny Salem joint completely dedicated to the dog. It's got all of the classics—corn, chili, Chicago—in addition to a selection of specialties. Go crazy with its Perro Loco (that's a spicy chorizo link topped with pico de gallo, cilantro lime crema, cotija cheese and lettuce) or get the Shorty Dog (a frank topped with braised short rib, caramelized onions, blue cheese and crispy shallot). With all dogs ringing in under $10, this spot will leave you satisfied on a budget.