It’s summertime, and whether you’re at a baseball game or a pool party or just cooking out in the backyard, nothing is more quintessential than a hot dog—or, more specifically, a veggie dog. Millions of Americans are now choosing franks that are free from unsavory-sounding pig parts and cancer-causing heterocyclic amines. So the folks at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) set out to find the top five vegan hot-dog-stand wieners in America. The following are the ones that they’re really howlin’ about:
- The Holiday Dog
The Vegan Hot Dog Cart
59 N. Orange Ave.
Orlando, Fla.
The Vegan Hot Dog Cart serves only vegan hot dogs. But meat-eaters and vegans alike line up for the Holiday Dog, a Loma Linda Big Frank that’s poached in vegetable stock with garlic, black pepper, and onions and topped with house-fried sweet onions, which are then covered with made-from-scratch cranberry sauce. Homemade Carolina mustard barbecue sauce and fresh parsley top off the tasty concoction.
- The Rockaway Beach
Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace
248 S. 4th St.
Columbus, Ohio
If a typical ketchup-and-mustard-covered veggie dog is too “everyday” for you, you’ll love the Rockaway Beach. This delicious veggie dog is bathed in sweet-and-hot cabbage and carrot-mustard slaw. Or for an even more “exotic” taste, you can try the Seoul dog with Korean kimchi, vegan mayo, and Sriracha drizzle or a hot Bollywood dog, topped with spicy Indian mango chutney.
- The Patt Morrison Baja Vegan Dog
Pink’s
709 N. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, Calif.
The venerable Pink’s, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, comes in at number three on PETA’s list. Its Patt Morrison Baja Vegan Dog, which was named after a famous vegetarian journalist in L.A., is grilled to perfection and loaded with guacamole, onions, and tomatoes.
- The Vegan House Special
Dreamy Weenies
740 N. Rampart St.
New Orleans, La.
Dreamy Weenie dogs are, well, dreamy. You can pick your own dog, such as falafel, vegan kielbasa, or vegan Italian herb, and have it topped with a variety of items, including chili non carne, Daiya dairy-free cheese, and Creole mix. PETA’s top pick—The Vegan House Special—comes topped with vegan cheese and avocado.
- The Soy Veggie Dog
Mustard’s Last Stand
2081 S. University Blvd.
Denver, Colo.
1719 Broadway St.
Boulder, Colo.
The ambience is classic, and so is the vegan wiener, adorned with all your favorite toppings: mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, hot peppers, and sauerkraut.
PETA also gave honorable mentions to Dogtown in Rochester, N.Y., and DC-3 in Washington, DC, for their many veggie options.
- Dogtown
691 Monroe Ave.
Rochester, N.Y.
Dogtown offers at least 15 veggie dog varieties each day, but the real standout is the Calcutta Cur, which is topped with Indian-style mango salsa. PETA also raves about the other vegan options at Dogtown, including handmade veggie burgers (available on Thursdays), veggie chili, and meat-free soups and sandwiches.
- DC-3’s
423 8th St. S.E.
Washington, DC
PETA is partial to DC-3’s California Left-Winger, a house-made falafel dog topped with avocado and diced tomatoes. To make it totally vegan, ask for vegan chili instead of tzatziki sauce. You can also request a soy dog in place of any of the meat options—and order it without butter to ensure that it’s totally vegan.
Don’t live near any of these vegan-friendly hot-dog stands? Fret not—you can get delicious meat-free franks at most supermarkets. Try Tofurky Franks, Yves’ Good Dog, or Lightlife Smart Dogs. Or if sausage is more your style, try Tofurky-brand gourmet vegan sausages topped with grilled peppers and onions and your favorite condiments.
About:
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than 3 million members and supporters. PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry.
