Chili-Cheesy Toppings

• If you have a small quantity of beef or vegetarian chili left over from a previous meal, save it to create a gourmet hot dog dinner another night. Vegetables included in the chili -- such as sauted celery, onions and red pepper -- add the crunch and texture that many hot dog enthusiast's enjoy. Tomato sauce replaces the ketchup. Additional garnishes can include grated cheese, sour cream and guacamole. For his hot dog bar, chef Emeril Lagasse, formerly of the Food Network, tops hot dogs with jalapeño-cheese sauce and offers guests optional toppings including barbecue sauce, shredded iceberg lettuce and sauerkraut.

South-of-the-Border Zing

• Some like their hot dogs super hot. For a quick, fiery garnish, finely chop jalapeños and mix with sweet relish. Or steam some corn kernels and add them to the mix along with some minced onion for a corn relish with kick. In Ecuador, vendors referred to as "el hotdogueros" cook hot dogs in a water bath seasoned with herbs, ketchup and mustard. Then customers can add a variety of condiments including spicy Ecuadorian aji, a red chili hot sauce including cilantro and tangy tamarillo fruit. The University of Florida Extension suggests a "Vietnamese inspired" garnish of chopped peaches, jalapeños and cilantro mixed with spicy mayonnaise.

Piccalilli Pups

• Picalilli is a vegetable relish that is often served with hot dogs. Also known as "chow chow," it is a pickled combination of many vegetables in tiny bits. It can be based on tomato sauce or mustard. Crunchy ingredients include chopped onions, bell peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, green tomatoes and a variety of seasonings, including turmeric. Recipes vary depending on what cooks have left in their gardens at the end of the growing season when it's time for home canning.

Salty Sauerkraut Dogs

• Sauerkraut has long been a favorite garnish, along with sweet relish, mustard and ketchup, for hot dogs . But it can be more Epicurean if braised in beer with onions, hot peppers and mustard. Or it can be the base for a delilike Reuben topping with tomatoes, Thousand Island dressing and Swiss cheese.