Be Your Own Hot Dog Toppings Boss

Be Your Own Hot Dog Toppings Boss

All in the Way You Top It

“condiment: something (such as salt, mustard, or ketchup) that is added to food to give it more flavor”
Merriam-Webster [1]

“In 2015, consumers spent more than $2.5 billion on hot dogs in U.S. supermarkets.”
-National Hot Dog and Sausage Council
[2]

Did you know there is a correct order to top your hot dog? According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, “DON’T put hot dog toppings between the hot dog and the bun. You should always ‘dress the dog,’ not the bun. Condiments should be applied in the following order: wet condiments like mustard and chili are applied first, followed by chunky condiments like relish, onions and sauerkraut, followed by shredded cheese, followed by spices, like celery salt or pepper.” [3]

How do you put your hot dog toppings on? Did you know that condiments change depending on the region you are visiting? When is the last time you ate a hot dog plain–is that even something people do anymore? I don’t know why you would with the vast selection of condiments available.

Regional Hot Dog Toppings Variety

Here are a few examples of how toppings change in each region, according NHDSC:

New York City: topped with steamed onions and a pale, deli-style yellow mustard

Chicago: served in a poppy seed bun and layered with yellow mustard, dark green relish, chopped raw onion, pickle spear, sport peppers, tomato slices and topped with a dash of celery salt

Michigan: meaty chili sauce with mustard and onion

Seattle: split hot dog is grilled and placed in a toasted bun with cream cheese and grilled onions [4]

I live in Wisconsin and we love family cookouts! It doesn’t matter the weather outside, the roller grill or gas grill are always hot and the toppings bar is fully loaded to create custom concoctions. My go-to is chili cheese, my husband goes for cream cheese and pickles, and my 5-year old son is just plain ketchup.

Be your own hot dog topping boss and comment below with your favorite hot dog topping masterpiece.

References:
1. Merriam-Webster, "Condiment" [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condiment]
2. NHDSC, "Consumption Stats" [http://www.hot-dog.org/media/consumption-stats]
3. NHDSC, "Hot Dog Etiquette" [http://www.hot-dog.org/culture/hot-dog-etiquette]
4. NHDSC, "Hot Dogs Across America" [http://www.hot-dog.org/culture/regional-hot-dogs]

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