In a city where so much has come and gone people, places, even entire industries the Merritt Canteen on Main Street is a bona fide Bridgeport institution. Since 1942, Merritt Canteen has served up hamburgers, french fries and, yes, hot dogs, to hungry Bridgeporters. Jay Rodriguez has been the owner since 2001, and he says not much has changed in 65 years.

If that's the case, then it's no wonder why the place is so famous. The place always seems to be busy, and if you'd like a crash course in efficiency, watch the masterful performance by one of the restaurants cashiers. Although this contest is obviously about hot dogs, the entire menu at Merritt Canteen shines and it is a huge menu. The place has two lines, both of which are usually pretty packed. One is for the typical hot dog and hamburger crowd, and another is for everything else. The seafood menu has all the classics, like fried oysters and stuffed clam shells, and a few more exotic items too, like cajun buffalo shrimp.

"The Works" here comes with bacon, sauerkraut, mustard and relish, but it is the bacon and sauerkraut that truly shines. The two pull the dog together. Merritt Canteen offers several other dogs, too. If spicy is your thing, they have two varieties: a chili dog, which the menu warns is "extremely hot," and a "brutal dog," which is even hotter.

Any way you slice it, it's hard to go wrong.

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