Boston, MAHot Dogs

A retro Somerville diner and bar known for a rotating Dog of the Day, from a Flyin' Hawaiian with grilled pineapple salsa to a bacon and brown sugar barbecue version. The standby Starlite Dog comes topped with coleslaw and tangy aioli, and the window also turns out veggie tofu pups and fried corn dogs.

A Mattapan walkup window with vintage signage that has fed the neighborhood for decades. The nearly foot-long dogs are big, juicy, and served on a grilled and buttered roll, topped with chili, cheese, or both. The original Mattapan location carries deeper local history than its newer Roslindale sibling.

Tacos are the headline, but the menu's lone hot dog is a genuine draw. The Sonoran-style Mexican Dog comes loaded with roasted salsa, refried beans, chipotle mustard, and longhorn Colby cheese, and pairs naturally with a tequila cocktail. Both the Allston and Cambridge locations carry it.

Chef Tim Wiechmann's Bavarian-inspired restaurant in Union Square, Somerville has served the Brondog since 2014. The foot-long frankfurter sits in a bretzel roll under chili, cheese, ketchup, and mustard, with crispy bratkartoffeln potatoes on the side. It is available a la carte or as part of the prix fixe menu.

In the Leather District, owner Chris Campbell revived the Boston Speed Dog, a cart favorite that ran from 1975 to 2013, inside his French-leaning wine restaurant. The half-pound all-beef dog arrives covered in onions, mustard, relish, and a signature spicy chili sauce, available at the table or as takeout.