In Albany, the best things come in small packages.
The Capital Region is the home of the mini hot dog. The pint-sized pups are traditionally topped with yellow mustard, raw onion and meat sauce and gobbled up by the half dozen.
Who makes the best in town? Take a look at our three competitors:
Famous Lunch:
Famous Lunch has been serving mini hot dogs to hungry diners in Troy since 1932. The joint was originally called Quick Lunch, but in 1958, a local marine stationed in Moscow had several dozen Quick Lunch hot dogs flown in for the U.S. Ambassador's 54th birthday party. The meal make national headlines and the restaurant was renamed Famous Lunch.
If you have a big appetite, take on the record for most hot dogs eaten in 30 minutes, which stands at 38. Or invite a group of friends and try to break the group record, which stands at 810 hot dogs eaten by 38 people. If you win, you get a free T-shirt with your name and record on it.
Hot Dog Charlie's:
Greek immigrant Strates Fentekes opened the restaurant, then known as New Way Lunch, in 1922. He is considered to be the first to bring the bite-sized sausages to the Albany area.
Today, the hot dogs are still topped with that same Greek chili meat sauce. Except for the cook no longer lining up a dozen franks down the length of his arm to be topped with mustard, chili and onions, a technique known as the "Hairy Arm," the restaurant has remained much the same.
Hot Dog Charlie's now has locations in Clifton Park, Cohoes, Latham and Renselaer.
Gus's:
Gus Haita opened the Watervliet institution in 1954 and the lines outside the red wooden hut haven't stopped since.
In 2015, Gus's was named the best hot dog in the Capital Region in a Times Union poll. The Times Union called the victory "biggest landslide of any category" and that "Gus's annihilated all contenders."
The restaurant is now owned by Gus' son, Steve, who has been in the restaurant helping his parents since he was 6 years old.
Who is the top dog? Vote in our unscientific poll. Is your favorite not listed? Leave your nomination in the comments below.
Note: Online polls conducted on NewYorkUpstate.com are non-scientific and their results should not be considered an accurate reflection of public opinion.