Parker's Hot Dogs of Santa Cruz, Roseville

When John Parker established Parker’s Hot Dogs of Santa Cruz, he was following in the footsteps of his father, who opened his own hot-dog shop in the 1940s. In John’s Roseville eatery, the staff still serve up a menu of old-fashioned all-beef hot dogs with toppings such as sauerkraut, bacon, and freshly grated cheddar cheese. Housemade chili smothers hot links, polish sausages, and dogs. The 5-pound chili dog challenge—which was featured on Travel Channel's Man v. Food—is ideal for showcasing an impressive appetite or hiding the fact that your hands are alarmingly large.