For 37 years, owners Barry and Pamela Star have delivered a Chicago-style dog worthy of the Windy City in a roadside staple only slightly bigger than a push cart. These all-beef Vienna dogs, which are skinless and fit inside a steamed poppy-seed roll, always snap with a juicy crunch on the first bite. The toppings? Celery salt, hot peppers, chili and cheese are as crazy as you’ll get. The menu has hardly changed — char-broiled salami, hot pastrami, sausages — but neither has the dogs’ recipe, a blend of spices, hickory smoke and, yes, something else heavenly.
Hot Dog Heaven, 101 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-523-7100; hotdogheaven.infinology.net
FINALISTS:
B Square Burgers & Booze, 1021 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-999-5216, BSquareBurger.com
Hot Diggity Dogs & more, 2641 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale; 954-981-7827
