Hot Dogs From Fenway franks to Rhode Island “wieners up the arm,” New England-style hot dogs put some sizzle back in the bun. Phantom finds the top dog at the 8 GREATEST hot dog havens.

Spike's Junkyard Dogs (The Greatest: All-Beef Wiener)
108 Brighton Ave.
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 254-7700
www.spikesjunkyarddogs.com

A junkyard may not be your first stop for good eats, but Spike’s storefront is a haven for hot dogs. The 100% all-beef wieners are a special recipe made exclusively for Spike’s, and quality continues with oversized French rolls baked in-house. Phantom likes the Texas Ranger loaded with barbecue sauce, cheddar, and bacon. The Buffalo is slathered with hot sauce, blue cheese, and scallions; and the German Shepherd piles on sauerkraut and mustard. The top dog is Spike's original Junkyard Dog wearing sliced tomato, pickles, mustard, scallions and pepperoncini. The local chain has 10 other locations including Davis Square and Boylston Street in Boston.

Grumpy White's (The Greatest: Foot-Long)
211 Sea Street
Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 770-2835
www.grumpywhites.com

At Grumpy White’s, the foot-long hot dog isn’t just any link; it’s superior all-beef Pearl brand with a natural casing, and the twelve-incher is served with a side of homemade mac and cheese. The ultimate comfort food continues as every table gets a piping-hot, 18-inch loaf of fresh baked bread with a big stick of butter. Then it’s on to appetizers like an extra-cheesy crock of French onion soup and crunchy, golden beer battered shrimp. Their overstuffed lobster roll is ultra-creamy, mixed with Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, and the incredible bacon cheeseburger served on buttery toasted garlic bread could improve the mood of anyone…even Grumpy.

New England Hot Dog Company (The Greatest: Variety)
Taunton, Plymouth, Attleboro, MA 
www.nehotdog.com

New England Hot Dog Company gives the humble weenie a gourmet makeover with 50 toppings and a dozen different links like all-beef kosher, pork & beef, burgerdogs, and footlongs. From kielbasa to natural casings, the toppings range from yellow mustard and sauerkraut to pizza sauce, ranch dressing, and jalapeno ketchup. If one just isn’t enough, the Boston Beantown Dinner offers two hot dogs covered in baked beans, plus cole slaw and brown bread. Or if you want something rich, the Cambridge Bratwurst piles on the red pepper relish, Grey Poupon, and sauerkraut. Corndogs and dirty fries are doggone delicious, and there’s a “Dog Pound” play area for kids.

Boston Speed Dog (The Greatest: Toppings)
Newmarket Square
(Opposite Grangier Supply)
Roxbury, MA 02118

Boston Speed Dog wheels its cart to a busy corner in Newmarket Square, but it may be the best hot dog in America. The Speed Dog starts as a giant half-pound all-beef Pearl brand hot dog. It’s marinated in apple juice and brown sugar and grilled over scorching hot charcoal. But it’s the homemade toppings that launch it into hot dog heaven. Mustard, sweet relish, and all-beef chili are excellent options. But Phantom opts for Speed’s special sauce: a secret blend containing orange zest and grape jelly. Boston Speed Dog is open from 11 to 7 from Tuesday through Friday, weather permitting.

Simco's On The Bridge (The Greatest: Chili Cheese Dog)
1509 Blue Hill Avenue
Mattapan, MA 02126
(617) 296-3800

Simco’s On The Bridge isn’t the prettiest takeout stand, but the four-window takeout shack sells the best foot-long dogs around. Pearl Kountry Klub links extend off a griddle fried bun so it doesn’t get soggy, and the snappy casings take on classic toppings like mustard, relish, and onions. The chili cheese dog is perfectly messy with greasy beans with melted American hidden underneath. But twelve inchers aren’t the only thing to eat here; the fast food menu goes on and on with pizza, seafood, onion rings, Greek lamb gyros, and hot fudge sundaes.

Super Duper Weenie (The Greatest: Condiments)
306 Black Rock Turnpike
Fairfield, CT 06430
(203) 334-DOGS
www.superduperweenie.com

A great, easy snack shack between Boston and NYC, Super Duper Weenie sells split-open hot dogs grilled until crispy and plump. Their shoestring, fresh cut fries are the ideal accessory to such a satisfying fast food meal. The long bronzed twigs are perfectly thin with a hefty dousing of salt and pepper. All of the condiments are made from scratch, including sweet and hot relish, sauerkraut, chili, and onion sauce. Also on the sizzling menu are hamburgers, sausage, cheese steak, and grilled chicken.

Top Dog of Rockport (The Greatest: Gourmet Toppings)
2 Doyles Cove Rd.
Rockport, MA 01966
(978) 546-0006
www.topdogrockport.com

Top Dog is a tasty little shack that serves plump, juicy wieners with condiment pizzazz. The comfy wood-lined joint is cozy and rustic with a great view of the water. The menu lists more than a dozen hot dog creations that come grilled or steamed, but always loaded with sloppy toppings like coleslaw, Vidalia onion and carrot relish, bacon, jalapeno peppers, and Boston baked beans. On the side, the Onion Brick is a condensed loaf of fried onion strings that makes for a fun peel-and-eat treat.

George's Coney Island Hot Dogs (The Greatest: Dog with “The Works”)
158 Southbridge St.
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 753-4362
www.coneyislandlunch.com

From the 60-foot neon hot dog sign to the graffiti walls carved with customer names, George’s Coney Island is a historic hot dog landmark. The art deco design features wooden booths, tile floors, and a stool-lined counter. Since 1918, they’ve been grilling pork-and-beef wieners served in steamed buns. The links are small and tasty, with the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. The most popular Coney Island “Up” is a hot dog with “the works” that includes mustard, secret recipe chili sauce, and chopped onions.