The Unique Hot Dogs You Can Only Find In Delaware

Delaware is sometimes known as "The First State" for being at the front of the line to ratify the U.S. Constitution back when America was founded. Yet, for most of the country, this pint-sized state doesn't have many defining characteristics. That's why the existence of the Delaware Destroyer is so extraordinary, and it's not just because of its arresting name. This unique glizzy didn't make our list of the best regional hot dogs, but that might be due to the fact that you can currently only find it at one restaurant: Johnnie's Dog House and Chicken Shack on Concord Pike in Talleyville.

Like West Virginia-style hot dogs, which are buried under a generous mountain of chili and slaw, Delaware Destroyers load on the unique toppings — in this case, mac and cheese, chili, grilled onions, and a drizzle of hot sauce. They are often served in pairs, challenging even the heartiest appetites. And, by all accounts, they are drop-dead delicious. "Delaware Destroyer FTW!," enthused a Reddit comment. In 2018, People magazine called out the Delaware Destroyer on its list of the finest hot dogs in all 50 states. This magnificent specimen was created in 2010 and named after a local rock band fronted by George Thorogood. Does anything specific about the Delaware Destroyer have to do with the state it is named for? Okay, not so much, but that doesn't stop it from being a singular delight.

While professional eaters will regularly down dozens of hot dogs at the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, two hot dogs is probably more than enough for anyone when they are done up in the style of a Delaware Destroyer. Keen to try this bonanza of a wiener, but nowhere near Delaware? No need to fret ... this 'dog is actually pretty easy to replicate, as it doesn't require any bespoke ingredients. You just need to be mindful of the overall composition of the frank if you want to have any chance of eating it by hand, though ... personally, we think this is more of a knife-and-fork hot dog, but feel free to get messy!

Cook your hot dog of choice. Grill it, fry it, or boil it; it doesn't matter. Johnnie's encases its Delaware Destroyer in a 6-inch hoagie roll to contain all the toppings. Your biggest variables are the chili and the mac and cheese. Do you prefer beans or no beans? Obviously, a thick, meaty sauce is going to stick best, with the least chance of excessive drippage. Likewise, your mac should have some cohesion to it. Too cheesy a pasta, and you're going to lose your noods on every bite. The grilled onions are a no-brainer. You can also customize the hot sauce to your preferred spice level. The result should be a filling, outrageously-stuffed hot dog that can satiate even the most ravenous appetite.