proper topping can vary from one region to another. the only true rule is no ketchup. ever.

@xavoc: see...this is why i need to learn to read things instead of just skimming them.

i say stick with the basics: mustard, chopped onions, dill relish and maybe some hot peppers.

Chili, cheese, onions, cole slaw. I've heard it referred to as "Carolina Style"; but I'm in Virginia.

skip the topping. i just micro mine for about a minute and a half. yes, my spouse calls it hotdog jerky, insist only toppings should be chili-no beans or cheese. sister says bbq sauce, but would eat bbq sauce on a cake i think. dad says a trash can because hotdogs aren't meant to be ate by humans.

In addition to the things mentioned, I occasionally like sauerkraut on mine.

Chili, cheese, and onions

-- OR --

Ketchup, mustard, sweet pickle relish, and onions

At restaurants I get Chicago style. At home I make them with kraut, sliced tomato and a polish spear with brown mustard.

Have you ever tried a Pizza Dog? Freakin' Marines come up with some weird but tasty stuff at their snack shacks.

How about some improper hot dogs? Chopped black olives, blue cheese dressing & onions.

I'd suggest having a BUNCH of toppings as mentioned previously. Also, many different types of mustard. Ketchup?? Not on my hot dog!

BBQ sauce! Not everyone likes ketchup and mustard.

I also like shredded cheedar cheese, but American will do in a pinch.

I like Mustard, relish, ketchup, and Celery Salt. The Celery salt really makes it for me.

Other Suggestions: cheddar cheese, baked beans, BBQ sauce, real bacon bits, Hot Wienie sauce (ground beef with seasoning).

I may hail from the Chicago suburbs, but I only put ketchup on my hot dogs. Then again, I'm also a very picky eater from a long line of picky eaters, so my input may be irrelevant.

When I was younger, I would put mayo on hotdogs (but, I really put mayo on everything). I don't do that any more. It sounds kind of gross but mayo with baloney doesn't and they are pretty much the same thing (I think). Now, some combination of cheese, chili, mustard and ketchup or just plain.

I'm a big fan of chilli

True Michigan coney style: Koegel hot dog, chili, onion, and mustard. Preferably from Lafayette Coney. Suck it American!

Ketchup and Cheese.

Alternatively, Cincinnati Chili and Shredded Cheese.

You can have a whole buffet of things to put on a dog, its all up to you!

Chopped raw onions, grilled onions, onion strips, mustard (spicy, brown, yellow, etc), potato salad, cole slaw, sauerkraut, baked beans, chili, cheese, nacho cheese, hot peppers, grilled peppers, sweet peppers, relish, pickles, french fries, etc, etc

Just make sure that whatever bun you get can hold the toppings!

If you have a real plate and a fork, go with Wolf brand chili, chopped onion, cheese, yellow mustard, and no ketchup.

If you have a paper plate and no fork, go with brown or yellow mustard, chopped onion, sweet relish, no ketchup, and tabasco if you can handle it.

Did I mention no ketchup?

Do not underestimate celery salt.

Ketchup, mustard, chili, and cheese

Mustard and onion sauce or mustard and relish.

I'm with Inspector Harry Callahan on this:

"You know what really makes me sick? Watching you stuff your face with hot dogs with ketchup on them. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY puts ketchup on a hot dog."

Can't agree more.

(It's in Sudden Impact, near the beginning)