Restaurants & Bars

2 CT Hot Dog Joints Among Top 20 In U.S.: Report

Connecticut is home to some of the best hot dog and hamburger joints in the country.

Independence Day is special, and not just because it’s America’s birthday. It’s of the few days of the year where it’s OK — nay, encouraged — to be a kid again and stuff your face with more meat and buns than your stomach can possibly handle.

But the Fourth of July holiday is also a day when self-proclaimed “grill master” Uncle Benny decides it’s a good idea to cook 75 sausages at the same time — and ends up undercooking exactly all of them — while repeating the Oscar Mayer weiner song because, in his eyes, it “never gets old.”

Sound familiar?

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Luckily, the good folks over at The Daily Meal say Connecticut is home to not one, but two top 20 hot dog joints in the nation So if you’re like the many others anticipating a less-than-edible sausage, why not treat yourself to a real dog.

Fairfield just happens to be blessed with two of the best hot dog joints nationally. Rawley’s comes in at 19h nationally. The Daily Meal recommends getting a dog with the works.

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Coming in hot at number 14 is Super Duper Weenie. Owner Gary Zemola offers hot dogs that are based on regional styles including Chicago and New York. Daily Meal gives top marks to the New Englander that comes with sauerkraut, bacon, mustard, sweet relish and raw onion.

Both hot dog joints have been featured on the Food Network.

Hot dogs aren’t for everyone, but don’t fret because finding a great hamburger in Connecticut isn’t hard.

MSN rated K LaMay’s in Meriden as the best burger spot in the state. K LaMay’s offers steamed cheeseburgers, a Connecticut specialty.

You can down all that meat with a cold brew from one of Connecticut’s many microbreweries. Popular Mechanics recommends Kent Falls Brewing Co.’s Lime Zest Gose. It’s a sour beer with a lime flavor.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

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