You’ll relish this news—July is National Hot Dog Month. With warm weather and the safety of the great outdoors, hot dog season is officially here. While there are many ways to enjoy this food that runs deep in American culture, one fun way to enjoy the celebration is to mustard up your support for our economy and visit a local hot dog stand. We’ve found six of the best hot dog stands in the region for you to visit, taste, and see who is top dog. While you’re at it, let us know the answer to this question: Is a hot dog a sandwich?

1. In downtown Kalamazoo on West Main Street, it’s hard to beat the classics at Coney Island, Kalamazoo’s original hot dog stand. The dogs come in all styles: plain, Coney, Chicago, and New York.
2. Go where the good old-fashioned root beer and hot dogs are served car-side at The Root Beer Stand in Kalamazoo. You’ll find all the goodness here, and you can even get your dog topped with chili and cheese if you need a little something extra.
3. 20 different specialty hot dogs? You gotta be doggin’ me! That’s what’s on the menu at Bill’s Hot Dog Shack in Lawrence. Dare to try them all—and save room for hand scooped ice cream and shakes.
4. The fun happens at Hot Dogs Plus! This ketchup and-mustard-colored diner in Niles serves Polish and Italian-style hot dogs and much more. Let’s be-ef frank: there’s always room for a shake.
5. Serving classic treats topped with a twist since 1971, Nagle’s Top Dog & Malt Shoppe in Kalamazoo offers a sautéed mushroom-smothered hot dog paired with your choice of thirteen milk shake flavors.
6. Chomp Gourmet Hot Dogs of South Haven thinks outside the bun with toppings that beat your average ketchup and mustard. With weekly specials including a mac and cheese dog, a swiss cheese fondue dog, and French onion dip and potato chip dog, you’ll have to keep coming back to try them all.