Picture it — you’ve just come out of a concert in San Francisco’s Mission District, and it’s nearly 2 a.m. You’re hungry from spending an evening dodging punches in the pit and need a place to refuel. All at once, you hear the clang of a metal spatula on a grill top and a sizzle, and you see a fresh plume of steam rise into the air. The enticing smell of meat leads you helplessly over to a cart where others have started to gather.
We’re not talking about San Francisco’s Mission-style burritos here. For a few dollars, you receive a toasted bun holding a bacon-wrapped hot dog, piled with grilled onions, peppers, and every condiment you can think of. You’ve just had a Mission-style hot dog, a quintessential experience for many who visit the City.
This may be one of the most San Franciscan hot dogs you can find, but it certainly isn’t the only one. They’re a part of a long culinary history, and this California city makes among the best hot dogs in every state. Just like the Mission dog, most hot dogs in San Francisco rely on toppings and fixings, rather than the sausage itself, in order to achieve peak tastiness. While they are all different, what they have in common is their creativity. You can find hot dogs topped with everything from classic chili to shredded carrots in San Francisco. As long as you’re not afraid of trying something new, you’ll find a unique dog anywhere there’s a crowd.
Restaurant dogs and street dogs both have their merits
You may be wondering which is better: a street dog or a restaurant dog. Honestly, it depends on what you’re craving, but be ready for powerful flavors either way…