5 to try: Hot dog eateries in the East Valley

Ted’s Hot Dogs

A Tempe institution since the ’80s, Ted’s (map) is the sole outpost of a small, family-owned Buffalo, N.Y.-based chain. Skin-on dogs are shipped from Buffalo and cooked over a charcoal grill. There also are four grilled sausages, including upstate New York’s signature white hot. A Chandler location is scheduled to open in 2019.

Detroit Coney Grill

This Tempe strip-mall joint (map) is one of the few places in Arizona where you can get a traditional Michigan-style coney dog – that is, a natural-casing beef hot dog topped with beanless chili, onions, and mustard on a steamed bun. For the full Motor City experience, pair a coney with a Detroit Loose Burger.

Higley Hot Dog Hut

Vienna Beef hot dogs highlight the no-frills menu at this small house-turned-eatery (map). Besides regular hot dogs, options include chili dogs, fire dogs, kraut dogs, and corn dogs. Besides indoor seating, there also are a couple of umbrella-shaded tables in the yard. Plan ahead: It’s cash-only and there are no ATMs.

Chicagoland Hotdogs & More

As its name implies, this east Mesa place (map) specializes in Chicago dogs – Vienna Beef hot dogs topped with yellow mustard, pickle spear, diced onions, green relish, tomato slices, sports peppers, cucumber, and celery salt on a poppy seed bun. Bears fans won’t want to miss the Ditka Polish featuring the ex-coach’s branded hot sausage.

Mugsy Dogs

Looking for variety? Mugsy Dogs (map) in Higley has more than a dozen specialty hot dogs. The Gringo is its popular take on the Sonoran dog; other choices include a BBQ pork dog topped with baked beans and onion rings, a macaroni and cheese dog with bacon bits, a Reuben dog, and a waffle corn dog fried in cornbread batter.