Hard to believe, but the Fourth of July is Friday. Are you prepared for the annual festivities? Let's see, fireworks? Check. Flag? Check. Sun block? Check. Hot dogs? Um, you did remember the hot dogs, didn't you?

Not to worry. Just dash out to one of these area hot dog joints, whose offerings cover just about every variation on the all-American theme, from Coney to Chicago.

2nd City Grill
Lake Boone Shopping Center, 2500 Wycliff Road, Raleigh
571-1119

Cloos' Coney Island Hot Dogs
Mission Valley Shopping Center, 2233 Avent Ferry Road, Raleigh
834-3354

Community Grocery & Deli
901 Oberlin Road, Raleigh
834-7220

The Dog House
8 Triangle locations; check yellow pages for listings

Lickity Split
503 Meadowmont Village Circle, in Meadowmont Village, Chapel Hill
929-8402

Roast Grill
7 S. West St., Raleigh
832-8292

S & T's Soda Shoppe
85 Hillsboro (a block from the courthouse), Pittsboro
545-0007 Snoopy's Hot Dogs
4 Raleigh locations; check Web site or yellow pages for listings

Spinner's Grill
14460 New Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh
453-1100

Tres Amigos Taqueria
109 W. Main St., Carrboro
967-1654