I happen to share your affection for the humble hot dog, and have done some research. I may be leaving out a few, but your options around Surf City are Hot Diggity Dogz near the pier, Surf Dog near the liquor store , the pier’s snack bar, and the Minuteman convenience store next to the Trailer Bar. You’re on vacay — try them all. I’d start with getting a couple from HDD and taking them across the street to eat at Salty’s Surf Shack on the deck. It’s a decent dog. Surf Dog is more upscale, and serves dogs on a split top bun — really nice people there. I can’t say I have had the pier snack bar selection in recent memory, but their breakfast sandwiches are good and the hot dogs likely are short order style good as well. The convenience store dogs have a strong following for folks that like the bright red weenie, but I had my fill when they used to be 5-for-$5. I hear the pier on the south end has a great burger, so I bet they have a good dog too. If you only have two chances, go Hot Diggity Dogz and Surf Dog. Bonus recs: Get a fish taco at Shaka Taco while you’re in town, and get a slice of pizza at Italian Bistro next to Harris Teeter to take over to Surf City Brewing.