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.
404-844-9422
Twitter.com/VeganHotDogCart
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
614-824-4673
DirtyFranksColumbus.com
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.
323-931-4223
PinksHollywood.com
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.
504-872-0157
DreamyWeenies.com
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.
303-722-7936
1719 Broadway St.
Boulder, Colo.
303-444-5841
MustardsLastStandColorado.com
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.
585-271-6620
DogtownHots.com
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
202-546-1935
EatDC3.com
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.
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:
