Bold Bite Hot Dogs - D.C.

The hot dog has primarily remained the same classic ballpark meal that our grandparents used to eat.

But at Bethesda's new Bold Bite, a simple hot dog is the foundation for mix-and-match combinations of spicy sauces, snappy toppings and even an array of steamed, griddled or baguette-based buns.

Once you select a sausage from an assortment that includes classic hot dogs, half-smoke franks, merguez and other artisanal sausages, layer on one of a variety of toppings. Choose from hot peppers, spicy mustard, sauerkraut and sauces like Cajun ketchup, arugula pesto or Old Bay-spiced sauce, or novel finishers such as crunchy, shredded tortilla chips, pita chips and potato sticks.

The menu also includes a series of recommended combinations for those less creative days. The DC ($5.25) cradles a thick quarter-pound half-smoke in a steamed bun with the house chili sauce, mustard and a sprinkling of diced onions. The Chicago ($4) features the city's classic combination of sport peppers, relish, pickle, tomato and celery salt in a steamed poppy-seed bun.

The Show Dogs menu includes more upscale recommended combinations with toppings like truffle whip, caramelized onions and feta. Smoky Argentine chorizo anchors the Choripan ($6.20), which is served with herbal chimichurri on a small, French baguette.

These are no stadium snacks.

Bold Bite, 4901-b Fairmont Ave., Bethesda, 301-951-2653 or facebook.com