Fire up the grill, heat up your skillets, or just boil some water—it’s National Hotdog Month! To celebrate, here are some fun ideas.

Experiment with new toppings. Have you seen those commercials where they top hotdogs with everything from salsa to coleslaw? (I don’t even remember what the commercials are selling—maybe laundry detergent?) Many restaurants—such as Steak N Shake here in the Midwest—are also jumping on the bandwagon, offering all kinds of new serving suggestions for the hotdog. Their “signature steak franks” (which I actually think are just a way of serving cheap hotdogs on their menu for an increased price—but that’s just me) come with chili and cheese, guacamole, a diced “Southwest” blend of vegetables, and Chicago-style. When I was a kid, I always just liked cheese, ketchup, or barbecue sauce on my hotdogs. (Once I had an eating contest with a friend and we both got very, very sick!) What’s your favorite weird hotdog topping?

Try a vegan dog. Vegan food is generally healthier, and in my opinion, it’s typically tastier—especially if you prepare it creatively!  In addition to hotdogs, there are vegan brats, sausages, and pretty much any other meat you’d care to eat available. Deli Franks are a tasty choice; for a list of vegan options,click here.

Try cooking your hotdog differently. My husband likes to make little squids by slicing up ¾ of the hotdog into long tentacles and leaving the end whole, like a squid head. Hey, whatever works for you! Try grilling, boiling, microwaving, baking, broiling, frying, or any other method that sounds yummy.

Serve your hotdogs differently. My husband likes to chop his up and put it in macaroni and cheese, something he had on a regular basis as a child. Try a different flavor of bun or bread, or add your hotdog to a favorite type of pasta. Serve traditional franks and beans, a favorite of people around campfires all across the country. Make a chili dog, pig in a blanket, corndog, or another favorite from your childhood. Serve sauerkraut for some German flair, like my dad always did.

Try a new international flavor. This list contains over 80 hotdog ideas from around the world. From bacon and tomatoes—a new form of BLT?—to provolone and au jus to alfalfa sprouts and mayo, there is bound to be something that you haven’t tried yet—and that you will love.