There is arguably nothing more American than a sausage stuffed in a bun.

But European immigrants brought the hot dog to our shores in the 19th century, pulling from a variety of sausage traditions across the continent and cementing the beloved dish in Americans’ appetites. As residents of the nation’s capital and students of history, we felt it was our patriotic duty to savor and review the various franks that the District has to offer. 

In light of peak hot dog season approaching, Hatchet editors gobbled our way through nearby and notorious glizzies in D.C. so you don’t have to:

The little weenie that could

Ianne Salvosa | Managing Editor

If dogs could fly, they’d fly to Sami’s Hot Dog Cart. Settled right in front of the Federal Aviation Administration, Sami’s Nathaniel-green cart is conveniently located for federal workers searching for a cheap bite. After seeing a TikTok praising the frank’s flavor — achieved through a spice blend in the hot dog water — I took the next Blue Line train to L’Enfant Plaza to see for myself.

I ordered a chili cheese dog with onions and an orange drink (if you know, you know) and was pleased to see that the owner, Sami, was not stingy with the onions. But my pleasure soured due to the overall size of the hot dog, or lack thereof. The wee weenie was the size of my hand, leaving me wishing I got a bag of chips with it. Despite my disappointment with the size, the chili cheese dog hit the spot, with ideal proportions of chili and cheese and a distinct spice to the wiener. 

I can’t complain too much at the price point: The hot dog cost $5 and my soda cost $3, making it the only $8 meal I’ve had in D.C. Hancock Park is located right behind the cart, providing the perfect, picturesque seating for engorging the dog. With its small size and optimal location, a hot dog from Sami’s is the ideal summer snack for a girl on the go — just make sure to order two. 

The hyped-up landmark

Cristina Stassis | Senior Staff Writer

While making your way through U Street, you can see the iconic D.C. landmark adorned with yellow and red signs and a friendly, colorful bear waiting to greet you at the door. Ben’s Chili Bowl originally opened in 1958 and has kept the same classic booths, counters, stools and, of course, the same well-loved recipes. 

As a D.C. resident for more than three years now, I can’t believe I never experienced the legendary restaurant for myself. In keeping with true fashion, I tried Ben’s Original Half Smoke, made the recommended way with mustard, onions and the famous spicy chili sauce for the price of $8.49. The chili was not as spicy as I was hoping for, but the flavors melded together with the half smoke and the hefty toppings. 

There’s no doubt that Ben’s Chili Bowl is a staple to the D.C. hot dog scene, but I wasn’t completely blown away, probably due to the intense hype around the place. If you’re a glizzy fan in the District, still be sure to check it out for yourself as you’ll leave the lively restaurant in a high-spirited mood. 

The overloaded frank

Caitlin Kitson | Contributing Culture Editor

Among my friends, I have been known to utter the words, “I’m in my red meat era” when I’m craving a good, old fashioned hamburger. But I’ve never been much of a glizzy girl. Determined to find a hot dog exciting enough to pique my interest, I ventured to the pinball bar Lyman’s Tavern on the border of Columbia Heights and Petworth to sample its celebrated grub.   

Luckily for me, it was “Hot Diggity Wednesday” at Lyman’s, featuring a weekly $6 special on all of their hot dogs. I opted for the Not-So-Chicago-Dog as it offered two of my all-time favorite toppings: jalapeños and pickles. The presentation of the frank was exceptional, arriving in a classic sandwich tray with an abundant spread of yellow mustard, tomatoes, jalapeños, onions, pickles and relish. 

But as soon as I picked the dog up, everything fell apart due to the sheer weight of the toppings. Co-owner Kevin Perone suggested I grab a knife and fork, something he does when he frequents his competitor Ben’s Chili Bowl. It felt sacrilegious, but the utensils did the trick in helping me scarf down the dog. Despite construction issues, I was impressed by how well the sour and spicy notes of the pickles and jalapeños complemented the sweeter flavor of the tomatoes and the wiener. Lyman’s dog is ultimately one worth trying — just don’t forget your knife and fork.

Knot your average dog

Grace Chinowsky | Editor in Chief

I was an admitted skeptic of any atypical meat used in hot dogs, despite the recent explosion of non-meat and health-conscious red meat replications in American supermarkets and restaurants. Call me a luddite, but it was hard to envision poultry ever replacing one of the most reliable beef-pork foods out there. 

But I decided to challenge myself when I bought a pretzel chicken dog at The Preppy Pretzel stand in the I Street Mall — a recurring hand-rolled Bavarian pretzel vendor at the weekly Wednesday FRESHFARM farmers market. 

The glizzy came enclosed in a shiny, chestnut-colored pretzel bun pigs-in-a-blanket style. The friendly woman behind the counter tossed it in a microwave before handing it back to me piping hot. 

In taste and appearance, the salty and juicy sausage was impressively similar to a standard dog, barring its smaller size and softer texture. But the pretzel bun resembled more of a stiff exoskeleton than a fluffy wrap. It also lacked the malty flavor that I’d expect from a pretzel dog, a delicate taste possibly overpowered by the umami of the sausage. 

For $7, I wanted more bang for my buck, but I walked away a chicken dog convert.

The downtown dog

Faith Wardwell | Managing Editor

With visions of the Fenway Franks of my childhood dancing in my head, I made my way to Dog Haus Biergarten in Dupont Circle this week to give one of their famous glizzies a go. 

The hot dog concoctions on the menu were imaginative, from one Cali-inspired glizzy with tomato and avocado to another with barbecue sauce and crispy onions. I opted for what appeared to be the closest to your quintessential American frank – the Downtown ($9.99). 

Although still a departure from what you’d imagine of a classic hot dog, the Downtown served up a refreshing spin. The sausage lay on a bed of pickled peppers and caramelized onions, sprinkled with smoked bacon and drizzled with mayo, mustard and ketchup. Most notably, instead of a normal bun, the dog was sandwiched between a trio of grilled King’s Hawaiian rolls sliced down the middle. 

This glizzy did not disappoint. The peppers surprisingly offered a sweet kick, and the smoked bacon added a nice crunch to each bite. The Hawaiian roll bun was easily my favorite part of the sandwich, serving up a pillowy texture with each mouthful. I did ultimately resort to a fork and knife to finish the rest of the hot dog, but the frank left nothing to be desired – except maybe a Sam Adams and a round of “Sweet Caroline.”