Billys Gourmet Hot Dogs, Denver

Every family has its own Thanksgiving tradition. In the Feid household, that tradition was eating hot dogs as a pre-Thanksgiving meal. Every year while growing up in Chicago, Bill Feid would join his dad and his siblings on a trip downtown for hot dogs while his mom stayed home preparing the turkey. Thus began Bill's obsession with hot dogs.

Today, hot dog fans in the Denver area reap the benefits of Bill's infatuation at Billy's Gourmet Hot Dogs. There, they bite into authentic Chicago-style dogs as well as creations from other regions. The Seattle dog, for instance, features a split and grilled dog with cream cheese and grilled cabbage. The sausages are another menu highlight: diners can sample such exotic eats as a buffalo bratwurst stuffed with jalapeños and a duck sausage smothered with caramelized onions and remoulade. Elsewhere on the menu you'll find sandwiches and hand-cut fries topped with everything from chili and garlic to pesto and blue cheese. And, early risers can take advantage of eye-opening eats such as burritos with homemade hatch chili, egg dishes, Belgium waffles, and fresh cups of Kona coffee.