The humble hot dog is the definitive all-American food, with billions eaten each year across the US. Yet hot dogs have the power to unite and divide the country, with each variation – from state specialties to old-school favorites – representing a story, a community, and a microcosm of history. Here, we look at some of America's original hot dog recipes, from Chicago's loaded Depression-era staple to Cleveland's hearty Polish Boy, and reveal the best places to try them.

Click or scroll through our gallery to uncover America's best original hot dogs and the must-visit places to try them – counting down to the most iconic of all.

We've based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each hot dog style in its place of origin and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-traveled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.