July is National Hot Dog Month, and to celebrate, we’re highlighting metro Atlanta hot dogs that have gone from classic to couture. Whether wrapped in a waffle, topped with lobster and caviar, or something totally unexpected, each flavorful frank takes a twist on an American favorite. At these seven restaurants, hot dogs are served haute.

The menu at Barleygarden Kitchen and Craft Bar claims to serve “The Best Hot Dog You’ll Ever Eat.” It would make our critic’s top five, but check it out for yourself. CONTRIBUTED BY WYATT WILLIAMS

icon to expand image

Barleygarden Kitchen. Build your perfect gourmet dog with five choices of sausage and five possible topping combos. Choices include a Knockwurst-Bratwurst and Sweet Italian sausages as well as turkey chili, sauerkraut, gluten-free corndog batter and more.

900 Avalon Blvd, Alpharetta. 678-266-6220, barleygardenkitchen.com/

Dazzle Dogs. This gourmet hot doggery serves a long list of dogs crammed with unexpected toppings. Try the Xolo Dog topped with crumbled bacon, jalapenos, sauteed onions, cheese and guacamole salsa or the St. Bernard, slathered with chili and cheddar cheese and finished off with a handful of Fritos. Wash it all down with one of Dazzle Dogs' creamy milkshakes.

1925 Braselton Highway, Buford. 470-448-3975, dazzledogs.myrestaurantops.co

Dog Days. Enjoy a sophisticated twist on two childhood favorites with the Mac and Cheese Dog, made with five white cheeses. Each dog comes in small and quarter-pound sizes.

6025 Peachtree Pkwy #3, Peachtree Corners. 770-449-7433, dogdayshotdogs.com/

The Waffle Dog from The Painted Pin 

Carolyn Desalu

icon to expand image

Carolyn Desalu

Oh K-Dog. Feeling really adventurous? This Korean street food spot specializes in hot dogs that might have you doing a double-take. Try the squid ink and mozzarella dog, which sees a sausage wrapped in a layer of cheese and fried in a squid ink batter, or the potato hot dog coated in deep-fried pieces of potato for something totally different.

Multiple locations. ohkdog.com

Original Hot Dog Factory. There are more than 20 over-the-top loaded dog options on the menu at Original Hot Dog Factory. Check out the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Dog with grilled pineapple, chopped onions and sweet island sauce, or the Surf and Turf with lump crab meat, tomatoes and Try Me sauce.

Multiple locations. theoriginalhotdogfactory.com/

The Painted Pin. Their tag line is "Come Play," but this boutique bowling alley's signature waffle dog, an update on the classic corn dog, beckons hot dog fans to come eat. This version features three petite beef franks wrapped in malted waffle batter and served with sweet soy aioli.

737 Miami Circle NE, Atlanta. 404-814-8736, thepaintedpin.com/

RELATED:

Read more stories like this by liking Atlanta Restaurant Scene on Facebook, following @ATLDiningNews on Twitter and @ajcdining on Instagram.