“The hot dog, as the phrase runs, seems to have come to stay. Even the gastroenterologists have given up damning it. I am informed by reliable spies that at their convention in Atlantic City last May they consumed huge quantities…and with no apparent damages to their pylorus.”

H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)

A few weeks ago I received an inquiry from a reader, who was interested in recommendations on where to find a killer hot dog in Maine. Apparently her uncle was planning a visit, and he has this, well, this thing about hot dogs. While I can’t say I’ve ever researched hot dogs before traveling somewhere, I’m definitely prone to planning trip itineraries around where I can get a reservation for dinner. So, I respected his desire to make the most of his trip in a culinary sense. And frankly (sorry…had to), I loves me some good hot dog.

photo via Wasses Hot Dog FB page

So I polled my Facebook friends, because I knew they were the perfect pile of peeps to tell it like it is. So I asked them to recommend their establishment of choice and told them they got bonus points for recommendations on unique topping combinations worth trying. My friends include every demographic from chefs and bloggers and logging truck drivers to comedians and children and corporate execs. Knowing they’re mostly current or former residents of the state, I knew I was getting a comparative analysis of locations, pros and cons, product consistency at each location, etc. This was for science, and an anecdotal recollection of an isolated visit to “this hot dog place that time I was in Maine” did not meet my criteria for inclusion. Not helpful. Interesting, but not helpful.

So without further ado, here’s the list. The top spot goes to the place that received the most votes. The rest are in no particular order.

1. Wasses Hot Dogs: Rockland, ME

• The clear winner in the poll.

2. Flo’s Hot Dogs: York, ME

• Matt says get ‘em topped with secret sauce and a shake of celery salt. Erica prefers house relish and mayo.

3. Rock’s Family Diner: Fort Kent, ME

• I have to recommend fried onions and brown mustard on these gems.

4. Bolley’s Famous Franks: Hallowell, ME

• My favorite topping is caramelized onions, yellow mustard, and their horseradish slaw.

5. Rapid Ray’s: Saco, ME

• Chili-cheese dog is king here.

6. Red’s Eats: Bath, ME

7. Simone’s Hot Dogs: Lewiston, ME

• Steamed red dogs on a microwaved bun. No apologies about it, either. And none required. They’re great.

8. Danny’s Hot Dogs: Brunswick, ME

• Will recommends the chili-slaw dog.