While the late Anthony Bourdain, a chef and storyteller who ventured the globe, never officially declared a single “definitive best” hot dog style, his adventurous palate and bold opinions left clues as to what he might favor. Based on Bourdain’s love for classic food made with integrity and his inclination towards the savory and unpretentious, we can surmise that he would salute a hot dog that mirrors these values.

A Bourdain-approved “definitive best” hot dog style would likely be one that boasts a balance of snappy casing, savory meat, and a bun that serves as a humble vessel rather than overpowering its cargo. He might have tipped his hat to the simplicity of a New York-style dog—lightly griddled to perfection, topped with steamed onions and a stripe of deli-style mustard. No ketchup in sight—Bourdain was famously not a fan of ketchup on his dogs.

But Anthony’s wanderlust and passion for global flavors could also lead us to believe that he’d enjoy variants such as the Chicago-style hot dog—dragged “through the garden” with its myriad toppings like sport peppers, neon relish, diced onions, tomato wedges, pickle spear, celery salt, and mustard on a poppy seed bun—a mosaic of tastes that somehow come together to sing in harmony.

In the end, while we can conjecture what Bourdain might choose as the ultimate hot dog style based on his food philosophy and documented preferences, we must remember his encouragement for everyone to explore and decide for themselves. He championed authenticity and the joy of discovering what delights one’s personal palate.

Therefore, in seeking the “definitive best” hot dog according to Anthony Bourdain’s ethos, we circle back to not just one particular style but an approach: choose fresh ingredients with respect to tradition; prefer flavor over fanciness; and above all else, enjoy every bite with gusto and without pretense. The best hot dog is less about an exact blueprint and more about the experience it delivers—you against the world, armed only with an appetite and an open mind.