By Gabriella Mangino and Jeanne Muchnick
‘Tis the season of eating hot dogs. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, it’s estimated Americans consume 20 billion hot dogs a year, which comes out to about 70 hot dogs per person.
And while the hamburger may be America’s sweetheart, hot dogs, in all their bronzed, charred perfection, are a close second. You can dress ’em up — the newest models include mac and cheese and even grape jam — or eat them the old-fashioned way, wrapped in tin foil with a squirt of mustard and a heaping portion of sauerkraut. Here’s a sampling of Westchester’s best hot dogs, and where to get them.
Walter’s Hot Dogs
Let’s start off slow. This might not be the craziest hot dog in Westchester, but Westchester is crazy about it. Walter’s Hot Dogs has been the county’s must-stop hot dog shop since opening in 1919. Its split-down-the-middle hot dogs, grilled in a secret sauce and served on a toasted bun, are made of a signature blend of beef, pork, and veal. Served in single, double (two hot dogs, one bun) and “puppy dog” sizes, Walter’s house-made mustard – a blend of choice mustard seeds, relish, and spices – is what makes this dog a must-eat. And if you can’t get enough of the mustard, you can even buy a jar of your own or a full take-home kit.
937 Palmer Ave, Mamaroneck
186 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains
914.500.5029
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCoD6mfh09w/
Dobbs Dawg House
Just about everything on the Dobbs Dawg House menu is wild beyond belief. We’re talking peanut butter and jelly, mac ‘n’ cheese, and even a sushi-style dog. (Yes, you can get a hot dog smeared in ginger soy mayo and wasabi cream covered in seaweed salad, pickled ginger, and sesame seeds.) These aren’t the only crazy-delicious dogs on the menu; check online for even more madness.
25 Cedar St, Dobbs Ferry
914.693.5555
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7GOfe7lokQ/
Eugene’s Diner
It might be hard to imagine but at David DiBari’s retro-style diner, you can order a 13 INCH hot dog. We didn’t think it was possible. It’s made in-house with all-beef and served with mustard, onion, and sauerkraut. A hot dog lover’s dream come true.
112 N Main St, Port Chester
914.481.5529
The Dog Den
Head to the former White Plains Bus Depot behind the Metro North station to experience 50-plus hot dog works of art. All of The Dog Den’s dogs are Sabrett — all-beef, gluten-free, and in a natural casing — on Martin’s Potato long rolls. As for toppings, there are way too many options to list, but many of them are wrapped in bacon and as inspired as the mind can imagine.
1 Main St, White Plains
914.328.3288
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC1GCQjpQgW/
Dougie’s Stand By
Talk about a dog day afternoon: It’s dog day every Wednesday at Dougie’s Stand By, a wallet-friendly luncheonette where found in Port Chester. The 100% all-beef Nathan’s dogs come grilled and split down the middle on a toasted bun, with a variety of standard toppings.
604 N Main St, Port Chester
914.939.0022
