2 Georgia Hot Dog Joints Among 75 Best In U.S.: Report

ATLANTA, GA — Independence Day is special, and not just because it's America's birthday. It's one of the few days of the year where it's OK — nay, encouraged — to be a kid again and stuff your face with more meat and buns than your stomach can possibly handle.

But the Fourth of July holiday is also a day when self-proclaimed "grill master" Uncle Benny decides it's a good idea to cook 75 sausages at the same time — and ends up undercooking exactly all of them — while repeating the Oscar Mayer weiner song because, in his eyes, it "never gets old." Sound familiar?

Luckily, the good folks over at The Daily Meal say Georgia is home to a few of America's 75 best hot dog joints. So if you're like the many others anticipating a less-than-edible sausage, why not treat yourself to a real dog.

Here are the best hot dog joints in Georgia, how they rank and where you can find their locations, according to the report.

The Varsity, with seven locations in Atlanta, Athens, Kennesaw, Norcross, and Dawsonville

National rank: 43

"The Varsity is not included on this list because it claims to be the world’s largest drive-in, or because it’s one of the few restaurants in America that still employs carhops. No, neither is it The Varsity’s staying power (founder Frank Gordy launched it with a $2,000 nest egg and 'million dollar taste buds' in 1928) and its expansion to some nine locations in the greater Atlanta and Athens areas," The Daily Meal says. "It’s because it sells some truly stellar hot dogs, delivered daily along with the ground beef used to make their legendary chili (which you can also buy by the can). Learn the lingo before ordering, but if in doubt, opt for the Heavy Dog, topped with chili and a thin stripe of mustard."

Shake Shack, with locations in Buckhead and Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody
National rank: 45

"A hot dog from a burger joint?! Actually, as Shake Shack's own site notes, the burgeoning burger empire 'began as a humble hot dog cart.' The Chicago-style Shack-cago dog is split and dragged through the garden with Rick's Picks Shack relish, onion, cucumber, pickle, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt, and mustard. The bun is even soft, just like in Chicago,"says The Daily Meal.

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Chicago, where hot dogs are a religion, dominated the list with 11 mentions — the most of any city — including two in the top 10. But the king of the wieners is Katz's Deli in New York City's Lower East Side neighborhood.

"Made especially for the restaurant by Sabrett, these garlicky, natural-casing, jumbo-size all-beef dogs spend such a long time on the flat-top grill that the outside gets a nice char and snaps when you bite into it," the authors note. "A smear of mustard is all that's needed, but a little sauerkraut or stewed onions certainly won't hurt. It's a perfect hot dog, from a perfect deli."

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