The month of July is a hot-dog lover's dream. It marks National Hot Dog Month in the U.S., which times out perfectly with the fact that hot dogs are one of the most popular dishes served on Fourth of July.
Americans are expected to consume an average of 150 million hot dogs on July 4, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, or NHDSC (yes, it's a thing). To help put that number into perspective, NHDSC says that's enough hot dogs to create a line from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles five times!
To help celebrate this popular food item this month, First Coast Foodies decided to check out the top-three hot dog restaurants in Jacksonville, according to your Yelp reviews!
1) The Hot Dog Party
If you've ever wandered around Five Points on Thursday to Saturday nights, chances are, you've come across The Hot Dog Party. Known for being 100 percent vegan-friendly, this hot dog joint runs out of a mobile food cart. This past May, it celebrated its one-year anniversary!
Not only are the dogs vegan-friendly, but so are all of the ingredients served from the chili to the vegan cheddar. Don't let that stop you from trying the food, though. Several positive reviews online come from folks who don't classify themselves as vegan still rave about the hot dogs.
What appears to be the main complaint, though, is that folks wish they were around seven days a week instead of three. (Unfortunately, it won't be open on July 4, but folks can have a post-July 4 hot dog on Thursday!)
On Yelp, the Hot Dog Party received 5 stars.
Where: Five Points, usually outside of Sun-Ray Cinema, 1028 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
When: Thursday to Saturday: 8 p.m. to midnight (perfect for those late-night cravings!)
Prices: $3 to $6
Popular hot dog: El Guapo (chili, vegan cheddar, relish, Fritos) -- $5
2) All American Hot Dog and Sandwiches
If any business stands behind the concept of the "American Dream," it's All American Hot Dog and Sandwiches on Beach Boulevard.
Started in the 1960s by a Jerusalem-native, owner Nader "Nate" Salameh said the restaurant still operates behind his father's deep belief that each hot dog, an American food item, should be served "All American."
In other words, at All American Hot Dog and Sandwiches, you can get whatever toppings you want for no additional cost.
"The concept of All American has always really been hot dogs," Salameh said. "Choose what you like ... if we have it, we'll do it. We've always had the concept of keeping the hot dog a very quality product and keep it at a cheap price."
All hot dogs cost only $1.99 plus tax, including their popular "All the Way" hot dog, which is made of homemade chili and coleslaw, a concept he believes gives them an edge from their competitors because it adds to the taste.
"The people, they tend to choose that hot dog because they like chili and coleslaw on a hot dog," Salameh said. "When they try that hot dog, they see how fantastic it is. [The ingredients] just go together. They just love that dog so much."
Most people get it topped with onions, but Salameh recommends it with ketchup and mustard.
On Yelp, it received 4 out of 5 stars.
Where: 10365 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246
When: Monday to Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Prices: Under $10
Popular hot dog: "All the way," also known as "the loaded" hot dog (homemade chili, homemade coleslaw, topped with onions) -- $1.99; $5.75 with fries and a drink after tax
3) The Hot Dog Spot
When it comes to The Hot Dog Spot, people seem to rave about how the restaurant is a hidden "hole-in-the-wall" gem that's best known for serving authentic Chicago hot dogs.
Tucked away in the Publix plaza near Monument and McCormick Roads, the Hot Dog Spot has been owned and operated by John Hayes for the past 12 years. Hayes not only takes pride in the fact that the restaurant is "consistent ... with simple food that's made to order," but also about the fact that the all-beef hot dogs are charbroiled.
"It gives it the unique flavor you get at home in the backyard [on the barbecue], gives it a different flavor instead of boiling ... or cooked on a flattop," Hayes said. "We are adding char to it, color to it, this gives it more flavor."
When it comes to the ever-popular Chicago Dog, Hayes said his approach makes his unique.
"There's a lot of places that still try to do the Chicago, but it's not as authentic as I believe I [make it]," Hayes said.
Hayes said he special ordered the ingredients and makes his own poppy-seed buns "to make sure it was as authentic as possible."
On Yelp, it received 3 and a half stars.
Where: 2771-32 Monument Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
When: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Prices: Under $10
Popular hot dog: Chicago hot dog (poppy seed bun, yellow mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, tomatoes, sport pepper, dill pickle spear, celery salt) -- $3.69
Click here to see the rest of the top 10 hot dog restaurants in Jacksonville.
Melissa Guz is a digital producer for First Coast News. You can follow her on Twitter @mguznews.