If you are stumped on what to make for your Memorial weekend get together, I suggest a Hot Dog Party. Seriously so easy to have options for everyone's preferences, you get to put interesting combinations together, and what is more American than a hot dog with the fixin's?! I hosted a little get together with my friends and their kiddos for a relaxing lunch where the kids played and ran around and we piled our doggies up with all the goodies.

I had a couple different dogs available, I am on a Whole30 along with one of my fave ladies so I made sure to have Applegate Organic hot dogs, they are compliant! I also had my food freedom favorite, Hebrew National, for the kiddos. If you had some vegan or vegetarian attendees, grab some soy dogs! I had a few "bun" options too, it was fun to try a few different kinds. Then go crazy on the toppings, I made and had a bunch of different things that can be combined in a ton of ways. You may find a new dog that becomes your new best friend.

There was this place in Denver I would frequent, Heidi's Brooklyn Deli, and as delicious as their sandwiches were, one location had a secret menu dog that stole my heart. The Cacho dog was the thing of dreams, homemade pretzel roll, mayo, bacon wrapped beef dog, melted cheddar, and avocado to top it all off. Trust me, it is the thing of dreams.

Below is the list of ideas which include things I had at my party and a couple little recipes, so get creative! I served my Rainbow Potato Salad along side and it was perfect!

Hot Dog Party Buffet

Doggies

No Sugar Hot Dogs - Applegate (only their Organic one) and Pederson's Farms both make them
Family Favorite Food Freedom - I love Hebrew National
Soy Dogs - for your Vegetarian and Vegan loves
Turkey Dogs - There are some good options for cleaner pups out there
Brats

Buns on "Buns"

Traditional potato
Pretzel
Poppy Seeded
Hoagie - For the more substantial creations and Brats
Tortilla
Zucchini Boats - Cut off ends, slice lengthwise and scoop out center portion, leaving zucchini around the edges. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast at 400 for 15-20 minutes.
Sweet Potatoes - Find smaller ones. Clean, poke a few steam holes with a fork or knife. Coat with a little oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
Jicama Tortillas - I buy them at my local grocery store, just thinly sliced jicama!
Lettuce Cups

Toppings

Ketchup - Tessemae's has a great Whole30 version
Mustards - Grab the regular Yellow, Spicy, and Dijon (make sure it doesn't have wine in it if Whole30)
Mayonnaise - I love the Paleo Running Momma recipe
BBQ Sauce
Relish
Pickles - Nathan's has a compliant one!
Sauerkraut - so many options out there, maybe give a sampler of them: caraway, sriracha, traditional
Pesto - homemade or Trader Joe's has a great vegan option
Guacamole - I love those little to-gos so you don't have a bunch getting brown!
Tomatoes - sliced and salted to make a Chicago Dog
Chopped onions - white or red
Jalepenos - pickled or fresh if you like it spi-say
Green onions - slice a bunch for a festive sprinkle
Sauteed Peppers and Onions - Just heat a little oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add a sliced onion and a couple peppers and cook slowly. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until all caramelized
Salsa - Pico de Gallo is delicious on a hot dog
Pineapple Salsa - Chop up a small grocery container of pineapple, it will be about 1 1/2 cups. Finely chop a quarter of a red onion, a small jalepeno, and a couple tablespoons of cilantro. Mix all together and sprinkle a little salt and pepper in there!
Bacon - some bits cooked up. And you might want to wrap some of the hot dogs in bacon, just partially cook them prior so they actually get crispy.
Simple Beef Chili (recipe below) - This was the surprise hit and it was super good to top anything, hot dogs, burgers, fries, baked potato, whatever!
Cheese - for those who love a little dairy, get some options - cheddar, pepperjack, feta, mozzarella
Chips - Fritos would be amazing on a chili dog for some crunch
Crispy Fried Onions - you know the one, the same ones on that green bean casserole at Thanksgiving
Salami - put it under the dog for a meaty addition
Coleslaw - use your favorite mix!
Corn - grilled would be awesome
Sour Cream - To top off a taco inspired creation
Sun-dried tomatoes - killer with that zucchini "bun" and salami
Harissa - spicy kick

Simple Beef Chili

1 tablespoon oil
1/2 onion (about 3/4 cup), diced
1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon taco or fajita seasoning (I use the Fiesta brand and it is only spices)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
pinch nutmeg
2 tablespoons chopped green chiles, from a can
1 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt + more for sprinkling

- Heat the oil in a pan at medium-high heat. Add the onions and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Cook until translucent and slightly browned.

- Add the beef and break up the meat as small as possible. Cook until browned and add a little salt and pepper to season.

- Drop in the tomato paste and cook for about 30 seconds to a minute, stirring into the beef and onions. Add the spices and stir to combine and cook for a few seconds, this deepens the flavor of the spices.

- Pour the chiles and tomato sauce into the pan and simmer and season with the teaspoon of salt, adjust as needed.