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May 28, 2015

Hot dog! Five great spots for franks in Philly

Where to find the best dogs and sausages

Restaurants Hot Dogs
Hot Dog File Art /for PhillyVoice

A little char, some chopped onions, a smattering of spicy mustard and any other condiment that suits your palate can be a lifesaver in the event of sudden hunger.

Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a delicious hot dog or three. A little char, some chopped onions, a smattering of spicy mustard and any other condiment that suits your palate can be a lifesaver in the event of sudden hunger. That, and hot dogs deliver a value that beats basically everything else you might find yourself craving on a whim. 

Outside of a barbecue or a baseball game, though, where do you go to get a specialty hot dog that will leave you as indecisive about what to order as you are at an ice cream shop? You don't have to search too far in Philadelphia. Here are the top 5 places in the city to grab franks. 

Underdogs

132 S. 17th St.

Rittenhouse hews toward the upscale and the elegant, but that doesn't mean you can't find a quality haute dog that mixes in with the environment. Underdogs offers a range of American classics like the Texas Tommy and The Back in the Day, along with more ambitious entries like the The Adonis, a lamb sausage with lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatziki. There also 12 distinct dipping sauces and french fries to order on the side. 

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Texas Wieners 

1426 Snyder Ave.

The history of Texas Wieners dates back to 1923, when a Greek immigrant came to South Philadelphia and opened up a hot dog shop that has withstood the test of time. That tradition, as always, can be attributed to a "secret sauce," which the company has refused to sell away. Popular favorites include the Texas Tommy and the chili dog, with a breakfast menu available in addition to the variety of hot dogs and sausages. 

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Johnny's Hots

1234 N. Delaware Ave.

With Fishtown's Penn Treaty Park just across the way, Johnny's Hots is an excellent place to drop by for a unique selection of items that may burn in a good way. One of the most popular concoctions at Johnny's Hots is the hot dog fish cake combo, which can also be made with sausage. This is the kind of establishment where you could quickly find yourself becoming a regular, and if you're working an early day, they even have you covered with breakfast.

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Memphis Taproom 

2331 East Cumberland St.

As far as wise business decisions go, pairing a beer garden and a hot dog truck together as an extension to your already successful restaurant is a grand slam. Tucked into the far corner of Memphis Taproom's Kensington beer garden is a mint green truck that serves up all-beef natural casing dogs, with options ranging from the beer-battered California Uber Alles to the Suicide, which includes jalapeño, Sriracha, onion rings and habanero. There are also 11 different toppings available to add flavor and spice to your dog. 

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Miller's Twist

Reading Terminal Market

While so many hot dog variations focus on toppings and dips, you can't ignore the bread game. Miller's Twist offers us the pretzel dog, combining one great thing with another on a menu that already includes ice cream and coffee. There may be an overwhelming number of options at Reading Terminal Market, but this is a clear choice if you need to act quickly or quiet an unhappy camper. 

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