I grew up in Wilson, North Carolina, where Dick's Hot Dogs (yes, I'm sure they've heard all the jokes) has been an institution since 1921. Their hot dogs (and burgers) are served in a steamed bun, and "all the way" means mustard, finely chopped onions, and a very thick, meaty chili I've also heard referred to elsewhere as "greek sauce" (and Dick's owners are, in fact, Greek). I've seen this thick chili (it's not something you'd probably eat by itself, too much body) at other places on the east coast, but nowhere else. In the west the chili is more like you'd find in a bowl, just served over a dog or a hamburger.

Other area hot dog stands served a similar item, but most of them have sadly fallen before the onslaught of fast-food blandness.

To me a hot dog is one like I'd find at Dick's, or one that's grilled, but anything else just doesn't cut it.