Went to my favorite local drive in. Been going there for decades, always for burgers (damn fine burgers,) never a dog. Tonight, for some unknown reason, I was possessed to try their chili cheese dog, worrying that it could be a potentially hazardous item to eat in the car. But:
Bun (clearly custom.) Chili on the bun. Cheese melted on that to stabilize it. Oversize Nathan's Frank on top to lock it all down. Custom bun (substantial enough) is sliced pretty shallow -- the Frank rides high, but the chili can soak down in without structurally compromising the bottom of the bun.
Tasty, and no mess. Genius.