Find some decent hot dogs and a bamboo skewer. Thread the skewer long ways through the hot dog, then, with a sharp knife and on a cutting board cut AWAY from yourself at a 45 degree angle. Remove the skewer -- spiral cut hot dogs! Heck of a lot more surface area. If you've got some kids/relatives over for the 4th they may not be (forgive me) worth serving great food to, but this will probably float their boats!!! Ribs are probably bad for kids anyway...
