Encased meats and more in Bridgeport

Certain things just go together, and even though only a horse would think that zebras are hot dogging it all the time (just look at those flashy stripes!), the gal behind Zebra's Gourmet Hot Dogs has combined the two in a 20-seat counter service joint, which sports an appropriately black and white color scheme to go with zebra-striped borders along the walls.

Beyond that equine homage, dogs are the focus, namely Nathan's 1/4-pounders, which step beyond traditional Chi trimmings to include the El Paso (sliced jalapenos & salsa), the crumbled bacon/diced tomato/mayo Boston BLT, and the grilled peppers & onions New Orleans, which is jazzed up with Creole sauce. They're also bringing in a deli slicer to fill Swiss-covered French rolls with either filet mignon or country ham shaved off the bone, while deliciously incongruous tamales are slathered in sweet & spicy Cincy-style chili, though ironically you will want some scrubs if you spill it on your shirt.

Sides round out the action, with your options narrowed to either fresh-cut fries or sugar-powdered corn fritters, so basically hush puppies, though be careful, they out hot, dawg.