Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Perhaps because of the legendary (and disgusting) Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island, Independence Day evokes images of America’s most ubiquitous food product, paired with a Budweiser in the back yard. The city most associated with hot dogs is our neighbor to the north, Chicago, whose eponymous style is copied from coast to coast. But did you know that, according to lore, St. Louis street vendor Antoine Feuchtwanger invented the hot dog? These five franks are trying to reclaim our city’s place at the center of the weenie universe.
St. Louis Dog
Price: $6.09 for the large
Particulars: This hot-dog cart, boasting more than 200 condiments, turns every trip to the hardware store into a satisfying meal. This quarter-pound all-beef dog rests on both a soft bun and a layer of Provel cheese, topped with a river of warm, overpowering pizza sauce.
Ed’s St. Louis Slaw Dog
Price: $5.50
Particulars: A quarter-pound kosher beef dog is adorned with yellow mustard, chopped onions, celery salt, extremely creamy coleslaw, and hot sport peppers. The spice cuts the cream nicely, but the pillowy bun didn’t stand up to the toppings, breaking apart and making a mess.
The Lou Dog
Price: $3.25 with chips
Particulars: Though the moniker came from a female dog named Lou, this frank is as worthy of representing our burg as any. It’s wrapped in a strip of wonderfully fatty bacon and served on a crunchy toasted bun, with melted cheese, onions, and jalapeños.
St. Louis Style HYAAAH! Dog
Price: $5.49
Particulars: It’s got a crusty bun (from the Italian Vitale’s Bakery across the street) that’s plenty stout to hold a surpassingly flavorful hickory-smoked-then-grilled dog, along with grilled onions and bell peppers, crumbled bacon, provolone, and crunchy banana peppers, plus your choice of sriracha (our pick) or spicy brown mustard.
Curly-Q Hot Dog
Carl’s Drive In, 314-961-9652
Price: $2.75
Particulars: Our most famous burger counter also does a darn good dog. The Curly-Q is notched so that it can be twisted into a ring and served on a hamburger bun, with condiments on the bottom. We went with the classic combo of ketchup, mustard, and relish, then washed it down with a frosty mug of root beer. Next time, we’ll get two.
