By CHIARA ASSI

cassi@naplesnews.com

When it comes to the hot dog, everyone seems to have immmovable opinions about how it should be prepared, what kind of bun should hold it and, most of all, what type of condiments should be served with it. Regional variations are endless, and with a large number of cities claiming to be the birthplace of the dog, it’s hard to tell who invented one of America’s favorite snacks.

Hot dogs are available virtually everywhere, from the food court at Target to the room service menus of big chain hotels, but what makes this beloved sandwich really stand out? Good-quality meat, sure. Certainly the bun: soft enough to give away a freshly baked bread feel but strong enough not to fall apart. Most important, though, it’s the condiments: freshly chopped onions and tomatoes, tasty relish, mustard, chili, even ketchup. Naples offers alternatives that range from 100 percent Chicago-style dogs to chili dogs to gourmet versions of this American favorite, but there are a few places that offer something worth the drive.

THE FANCY DOG

Bricktop’s

5555 U.S. 41 N., Naples

596-9112

Hot dogs are cheap, the kind of food you eat standing on a street corner or at the ballpark as spring training commences all over Florida. Most likely, you don’t associate hot dogs with warm plates, good quality linens and a $9 price tag. Bricktop’s, one of Waterside Shop’s most successful establishments, offers a hot dog that might seem a little pricey, but it’s worth every penny. This foot-long, Kosher-style dog is served on a fragrant, soft brioche bun and accompanied by good quality toppings that range from the ordinary (chopped onions, relish) to the innovative (an excellent black olive tapenade). When you order your hot dog, you get a choice of cole slaw or shoestring french fries, the latter so good, hot and crispy you might want to indulge in the extra calories and enjoy some of the best potatoes in town.

THE CLASSIC DOG

Island House Cafè

3801 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs

498-6900

No one calls the Island House Cafè by its real name. The small establishment on Bonita Beach Road is known by locals as Gary’s hot dog place, and it’s famous not only because of its island-themed cuteness, but mainly because Gary, a Chicago native, serves one of the best dogs in the area. The menu, handwritten on a blackboard, offers a grand total of six sandwiches: Three different types of hot dogs, two sausage sandwiches and a meatball sandwich. Period. The Chicago Dog, a delicious frank topped with mustard, relish, crunchy onions, ripe, fragrant tomatoes and spicy fresh peppers, is one of the best dogs you’ll ever have, while the Coney dog is a delicious and cheesy chili dog that will leave you yearning for more. All dogs are $4 apiece, while the sausage and meatball sandwiches go for $6. Starving? Order a basket for $8 and get your choice of dog served with a small portion of creamy potato salad and the most amazing junk-food side dish ever: a bag of Fritos packed with cheese and beans and microwaved. Sounds disgusting? It’s not. Try it and you’ll find yourself hooked.

THE FAST DOG

Five Guys

1410 Pine Ridge Road, No. 23, Naples

261-5603

www.fiveguysnaples.com

Five Guys might be famous for its burgers and fries, but they should start bragging about their hot dogs, as well. If you are in a hurry and you want to enjoy a good dog, this fast-paced, no-frills eatery is the ideal place to satisfy your cravings. Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, Five Guys serves four types of 100 percent Kosher dogs: regular ($2.79), cheese or bacon ($3.09) and bacon cheese dogs ($3.69). All the dogs are served on a good quality bun with all the free toppings you can dream of — from relish to jalapenos, mayo to hot sauce. These guys are not going to tell you what should be on your dog. It’s all up to you.

THE STREET DOG

Outside the Home Depot

11941 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs

If you happen to experience a sudden hot dog craving in the middle of your home improvement shopping session, don’t panic: Right outside the door of all the Home Depots in the area there are old-fashioned hot dog carts similar to the ones you see in New York City, ready to serve you a more than decent dog, a soda and a bag of chips. The line of construction workers and hot dog aficionados is almost endless between 11 a.m. and

2 p.m., and at this joint nobody will frown upon your choice of standard condiments. So go ahead, squirt some ketchup on your dog. Pick a hot dog for $2 or indulge in a jumbo dog for $3.50 or a chili dog for $2.50. Not only are they a yummy quick-fix, they’re also a bargain.

THE SPECIALTY DOG

Cookers Hot Dogs & Grille

1485 Pine Ridge Road, Naples

254-0777

The long diner-style counter at Cookers Hot Dog & Grille is the perfect place to sit and enjoy the view of the open-air kitchen, where four cooks dance around in perfect sync, dishing out sandwiches, fries, beers and salads with such gracefulness it would be a pity to miss this lunch rush-hour complimentary show. Be a little adventurous and try the taco foot-long dog ($5.69), which is a dog wrapped in a tortilla and smothered in chili and cheese. Or go for the delicious Chicago style dog ($3.49), served with celery salt, tomatoes, pickles and mustard on a poppy seed bun. The friendly atmosphere and a cold beer will make your hot dog experience even more enjoyable.