What Makes A Venezuelan Hot Dog Unique?

There's nothing wrong with a classic American-style hot dog, but like anything you've eaten many times over, it can lose its appeal. If the standard ketchup, mustard, and relish toppings aren't doing it for you anymore, you may want to give Venezuelan hot dogs a shot. These goliath frankfurters are loaded with oodles of goodies that make the American version seem lackluster. 

The version from the U.S. is nearly complete after taking the time to boil the hot dog and toast the bun, but that's just the beginning for this popular Venezuelan street food. An authentic version can use any kind of dog you like — chicken, beef boiled in water with coriander and sweet chili pepper that imparts an enticing spicy aroma. If you've tried this with your traditional franks you already know that boiling hot dogs in something flavorful is a game changer. After assembling the dish as you normally would, a variety of toppings get piled on.

The basic additions include shredded cabbage, white onion, a shredded or cotija cheese, ketchup, mayo, aioli, and crunchy potato sticks. The shoestring cut tubers — or crushed up ruffles, if that's what you have on hand — are one of the elements that gives Venezuelan hot dogs their unique identity. They give the fare a welcome crunch and add another level to the extensive collection of textures and flavors these street-sold aliments possess.

A Venezuelan hot dog substitutes some of the humdrum toppings we add to franks, and goes for broke in the flavor department. Common elements include a sharp garlic aioli, cheese sauce, shredded carrots, fried ham and/or bacon, eggs, corn kernels or avocados to accompany the sausage. Combined, they create an exceptional savory, creamy, and crunchy meal much more substantial than your average glizzy.

Holding all these toppings together is quite a job and some of the average packaged hot dog bun options may not cut it. You'll need a sturdy bun, and while the New England-style hot dog buns can work, may not stand up to all the additions without breaking apart. To hold all these fixings in place, it's best to use something freshly baked or more akin to a soft, split baguette. You can acquire all these ingredients and make the dish at home, but there's nothing like being served an authentic version by someone who slings them day-in, day-out. 

The most obvious place to get your hands on a Venezuelan hot dog would be (duh) Venezuela. If you ask one of the many street vendors based in Caracas for a perro caliente or an asquerosito, you'll soon be enjoying one of the cultural sensations. If you order a bala fría at the restaurant Perros del Este in Puerto La Cruz, the South American frankfurter is coming your way.

Barring a trip outside the United States, various food trucks throughout the country are good places to look for these Latin dogs. Dog-R L.A. is a popular food truck in Los Angeles that prides itself on making an authentic Venezuelan hot dog. When speaking of South American street food, owner of Dog-R L.A., Gerardo Pacheco, told LATaco, "Our is a street dog just like those, but with everything being just a little bit higher quality, the best Venezuelan hot dogs you can have."