Dat Dog, a New Orleans-based chain that features gourmet hot dogs and sausage, is eyeing both Waco and Temple as well as Austin as possible sites for new restaurants.

“The Austin and Waco areas have very exciting and active food scenes, which mesh perfectly with Dat Dog’s energetic atmosphere. We look forward to beginning our search for enthusiastic franchise partners to lead Dat Dog’s expansion into these markets,” CEO Paul Tuennerman said in a press release Friday.

“Hot dogs are a staple of American cuisine,” Tuennerman said.

“Dat Dog is unique because our menu offerings include traditional beef hot dogs, as well as options like crawfish, alligator, duck, and vegan sausages.

The chain is in the process of opening a restaurant in Rice Village as part of a plan to expand throughout the South.

“We are being very selective and looking towards locations that we know will be successful,” said Tuennerman. “We are excited to re-enter Texas, starting with our Houston location in development, and then in Austin and Waco once we find the right franchisee.”

The eight-year-old chain has four restaurants in Louisiana.