Somerville staple Trina’s Starlite Lounge is a veritable hot dog joint, which dedicates an entire portion of its menu to griddled hot dogs. Our favorite—no disrespect to the Corn Dog or the Tofu Pup—remains the Starlite-Style Dog. The signature iteration dresses up an all-beef, locally made Kayem hot dog with French fries, coleslaw, and creamy, tangy “Starlite” aioli. (Check out TFL’s cookbook, Dining In Boston, for the special recipe.) Should you ever tire of the classic, check out the Dog of the Day, which has formerly featured specials topped with everything from crispy wontons to cheese curds.

This isn’t your average chili cheese dog. A bacon-sheathed Pearl hot dog loaded up with refried beans, Longhorn cheese, chipotle mustard, crema, and roasted salsa, the Mexican Dog was formerly a delicacy only found at Lone Star Taco Bar’s Cambridge location. But since the Allston outpost expanded with a bigger kitchen, bar, and patio, this unbeatable behemoth was added to the menu full-time. Now, no matter what side of the river you’re on, you’re never far from this smoky, spicy, salty creation—and a cold can of Tecate (or a Mugarita) to wash it down with.

Hot dogs appear just once a week at the Downtown Crossing wine bar Haley.Henry, but “Wiener Wednesdays” are worth planning for. Jumbo-sized, 100% beef hot dogs are spruced up each week on a special theme, typically announced on Instagram an hour before the start of service and available until sell-out. Previous Weiner Wednesdays have witnessed street-corn inspired dogs topped with cotija cheese and avocado puree, “animal style” dogs garnished with crushed chips and secret sauce, pizza-inspired red sauce and anchovies, and much more tucked into a toasted bun.