Relish an American food phenomenon at Coney Island Drive-Inn.

It’s always fun to search for the top dog. 

That is why I eagerly anticipated my inaugural journey to Coney Island Drive-Inn, a Brooksville staple since 1960 that recently opened a location in Wildwood. 

Cities across the U.S. claim ownership of special hot dog styles, and Coney Island Drive-Inn has added several of those popular styles to its menu. Every dog has its day, and at this restaurant, the famous Chicago Dog is still having its day. I quickly figured out why it’s the restaurant’s best seller.

A Chicago-style hot dog is not only a culinary creation, but also an aesthetic one. A steamed, poppy seed bun cuddles the juicy all-beef hot dog, which is coated with neon-green relish and garden-fresh tomatoes running the length of the bun. Sport peppers are neatly nested atop the hot dog, while a dill-pickle spear lays parallel to the meat. And there’s that squiggly line of yellow mustard.

Just one bite. That’s all it took to realize Michael Jordan, Harrison Ford, and Robin Williams weren’t the only good things to come out of the Windy City. The ingredients danced together, forming a delicious blend of flavors. Biting into the sport peppers was a real treat, as the juice squirted open and oozed throughout my mouth, providing a nice level of medium heat. With the diversity of toppings, each bite provides a different flavor profile, ranging from sweet and sour to bitter and savory. 

Of course, some locals may be turned off by a hot dog created by those darn Yankees. Never fear. Coney Island Drive-Inn offers hot dogs with a bit more Southern flair. One of them is the Gator Dog, featuring alligator meat, smoked sausage, swamp relish, and spicy mustard. 

Another option is Norm’s Big Dog, the restaurant’s second-most popular hot dog. This one intrigued me so much that I couldn’t resist ordering it. It is topped with loose meat, chili, and cheese. It also comes with two other ingredients I never imagined on a hot dog—slaw and onion rings. No, that’s not a typo. Honestly, the golden-brown onion rings looked so delicious that I considered picking them off and eating them individually. Ultimately, I left them alone and was pleasantly surprised how well they blended with the other ingredients. Who would’ve thought? 

Here’s an important tip. The hog dogs are served in white boats. Continue sliding a small portion of the hog dog out of the boat with each bite. Like a big dummy, yours truly lifted the entire hot dog out of the boat and ended up leaving a mess on the table … and my shirt. 

Don’t fret if you’re not a hot dog connoisseur. The menu offers plenty of other options, including chicken wings in a variety of flavors, salads, loose-meat sandwiches, fish and chicken sandwiches, and char-grilled burgers. Fridays attract many people for the popular fish box, which features 8- or 10-ounce white fish with french fries and coleslaw. Panko-crusted shrimp and fried clams can be added for an additional charge.