Hot Dog/Sausage
Hall of Fame

Do you think your local hot dog or sausage is especially noteworthy? Send us an e-mail at topdog@famdog.com and let us know what makes it famous. Send a photo of it too. We'll list as many as we can.

Sonic Extra-Long Cheese Coney

Available at: Any Sonic Drive-In
Gastric Danger Level: 3

   OK, I know it doesn't have a lot of cachet, and the weiner isn't the best one out there. However, for consistent, tasty roadfood, Sonic's Extra-Long Cheese Coney is hard to beat. Hey, I grew up in Oklahoma City, OK? That's Sonic HQ.
   This mighty dog, loaded with chili, cheddar cheese and onions comes in a wrapper specially designed to keep the outer foil from contacting the melted cheese within. Brilliant!  Unless you like to use your finger to swab that stuff up. Especially good with onion rings or tater tots. Double the danger to your passengers with a side of chili-cheese tots or fries.--Topdog (topdog@famdog.com)

Skyliner

Available at: Skyline Chili - Cincinnati, Ohio and other Midwestern locations
Gastric Danger Level: 2

The venerable Skyliner (“cheese coney”) is an all-timer. The grilled weiner is placed in a steamed bun, topped with Skyline Chili and a mound of the customer’s choice of shredded cheese (sharp cheddar from Land O’Lakes) and/or onion. Mouth-watering good! A plate of three-way chili and a cheese coney is a classic Cincinnati dish.--Ramrod250, Milwaukee, WI

Mark Carter

Owner: Carter's (Nearly) World Famous Hot Dogs,
Muncie, IN

The man and his hot-dog cart are a Muncie legend. If you don't believe it, just ask Sports Illustrated: Carter's is No. 51 on the magazine's list of "The 100 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate (Whatever the Cost)." Carter and his cart can be found near the Ball State campus at bar-closing time and downtown around lunchtime. He creates special items for his regular customers. Polish, Italian and hot dogs, all a specialty. Truly a hot-dog hero. Review--Steve Kaluf, Muncie, IN