Like lemonade, hot dogs are a summer tradition. But reading the ingredient label on a mainstream frankfurter is enough to dissuade anyone from taking that first bite.

Vegetarian and organic hot dogs are the way to go, and high-caliber chefs like Todd English have upped the ante with gourmet versions.

Since 2008, New York City-based Asiadog has sold organic beef hot dogs with internationally inspired toppings, including:

Twentysomethings Bruno Tropeano and Joshua Davis hated the poorly made, mass-produced gelato they regularly sampled.

The Maine residents decided to open their own artisanal gelateria in 2007, featuring the state’s best local, natural ingredients.

Some 500 flavors later, The Gelato Fiasco is a regional fixture that consistently makes the list of Maine’s top ice cream shops.

Thirty flavors of gelato and sorbetto are featured each day—from Bourbon Vanilla and Cinnamon Honey Graham to Lemon Buttermilk and Sugar Baby Watermelon. During a recent “Meet the Farmers” event with Small Wonder Organics, Tomato Ginger and Balsamic Black Russian Tomato made the menu.

So, I was feeling really jealous after writing about the Van Leeuwen trucks that deliver organic ice cream to New York City’s not-so-huddled masses.

I wanted to find a Southern California clone—and I hit the jackpot.

Coolhaus has upped the ante here in Los Angeles, with a made-to-order ice cream sandwich buffet on wheels. And according to co-owner Natasha Case, her chilly treats are handmade with organic and all-natural ingredients, whenever possible.

As for available flavors, the choices range from the expected (vanilla bean, strawberry, Meyer lemon) to the eclectic:  mascarpone balsamic fig, carrot cake, brown butter with candied bacon and even foie gras. Special flavors change seasonally, as with this week’s strawberry jalapeño, root beer and peach cobbler with bourbon.

Here’s the best part: Once you pick your ice cream, you can select the handmade cookies in which it’s sandwiched—from chocolate and snickerdoodle to chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin. (Brioche is also available.)

To find the truck on any given day, follow Coolhaus on Facebook or Twitter.

Photo: bunnicula

Move over, Good Humor man! The old-fashioned ice cream truck has experienced a dramatic makeover.

Lucky New Yorkers can hook up with Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, whose  trucks have a huge Twitter and Facebook following. Think of it as ice cream by appointment: Loyal patrons use the social networking sites to find out where the company’s three trucks will be parked each day.

Van Leeuwen’s ice creams are made with carefully sourced ingredients: fresh, local and organic, with no stabilizers or preservatives. The most popular flavors include vanilla and pistachio, but why not opt for ginger, red currant or peppermint & chip?

Coffees, lattes, teas and hot chocolate are also available, made with locally produced organic milk. Cups, spoons, napkins and straws are made from renewable corn or sugarcane husks. 

New Yorkers can also find Van Leeuwen pints at Whole Foods Market and independent local retailers.

Deliciously Organic Frozen Treats

1. Organic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
2. Hot Chocolate Affogato
3. Organic Strawberry Rose Geranium Ice Cream Drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar
4. Organic Chocolate Mint Ice Cream
5. Lemon Verbena and Lavender Ice Cream
6. Coffee Bananas Foster
7. Creamy Margaritas

Photo: Stevendamron