Hot dogs! Get yer hot dogs here!

Buddy’s Saucy Dogs

For the full “dog” experience, you can’t miss grabbing a meal at Buddy’s Saucy Dogs in Lexington. From tables covered in pictures of different breeds of dogs and a wall of pictures of customers’ best friends to having your meal served in a dog food bowl, Buddy’s (named in honor of owner Jeff Zona’s beloved former family pet) doesn’t disappoint.

With 16 toppings, choosing what to put on your Applegate Farms all-natural dog is the toughest decision you’ll make here. The Golden Retriever (topped with mac and cheese), the Chocolate Lab (topped with baked beans, brown sugar, bacon, and, yes, chocolate) and the Collie (featuring a Southern coleslaw topping) are all popular, but the Buddy – topped with Zona’s secret-recipe 12-spice chili – tops the charts.

Sandy’s Famous Hot Dogs

Founded in 1979 by Bud Sanderson, Sandy’s Famous Hot Dogs is a Columbia institution. Now with four Midlands locations, Sandy’s serves certified black angus hot dogs made to the eatery’s secret recipe in both regular- and jumbo-sized dogs. Toppings – chili, coleslaw and pimento cheese – are made in-house from local ingredients. Be warned, though: Chances are, you won’t be able to leave without one of Sandy’s 32 famous ice creams.

Jimmy’s Mart Hot Dogs

Don’t be turned away by the fact that Jimmy’s Hot Dogs is located inside a convenience store (Jimmy’s Mart) on Two Notch Road. For many loyal customers, the small restaurant – also widely known for its catfish stew – boasts the best dogs in Columbia. For 34 years, owner Jimmy Koon has perfected his hot dogs and, according to the staff, has been known to sell upward of 1,000 in a day. Order it “all the way” for a dog topped with mustard, onion and Jimmy’s chili.

The Haute Dog Lady

If a “fashionably elegant” hot dog is what you’re looking for, keep an eye out for The Haute Dog Lady food truck. Gissela Kloess’ 100 percent beef Sabrett dogs are topped with 100 percent homemade toppings such as pineapple relish, curry ketchup, red pepper relish, spicy “Haute Sauce” and FireKraut (a spicy sauerkraut). Order the Carolina Twist for a dog topped with coleslaw and barbecue sauce or the Hawaiian for one topped with chili, pineapple relish, raw onions and ketchup.

Holly’s Famous Hot Dogs

Located in a small, bright red trailer with vintage furniture on a large black-and-white-checkerboard tiled patio, Holly’s is reminiscent of a drive-up dog and burger joint of the 1950s. Though not open long (the open date was just a year ago), Holly’s already has a loyal fan base.

This story was originally published July 6, 2016 at 1:17 PM with the headline "Hot dogs! Get yer hot dogs here!."