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A question of high moment and importance.
What condiments does one put on hot dogs?
My otherwise brilliant and also constantly adorable grandson puts ketchup on his.
Ketchup. Just ketchup
This I cannot condone. (Everything else he does is perfect.)
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In my opinion, hot dogs are for mustard. And hot dogs are for pickle relish.
And in a different kind of concoction, with cheese and wrapped in bacon, but that's not really a hot dog.
Some people add onions, okay, I can see that. I don't want to have them on mine, but it's an acceptable condiment.
Sauerkraut, too. Not for me, but chacun à son goût.
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Grilled. There is no other way. Boiling is disgusting, and smells awful, too. Just saying.
And a hot dog IS a sandwich. (But with ketchup, it's a mistake.)
What do YOU think, Reds and Readers?
Our family has lots of opinions about hot dogs and condiments . . . our youngest granddaughter wants ketchup . . . our youngest grandson wants mustard [but only yellow mustard] . . . John likes mustard and onions . . . as far as I'm concerned, the only thing to put on a hot dog is sweet pickle relish . . .
ReplyDeleteSuch a personal preference! Xx
DeleteI do prefer mustard and relish. In the Northeast corner of NY State, there is a hot dog with a special meat sauce put on the hot dogs and it is called a Michigan. Why I don't know. Julia Spencer-Fleming should know about those. Depending where they are served, extra mustard may be added and onions are a common add on. My aunt worked at one of the original places they were served, Clare and Carl's. I make the sauce here every so often because we all like the taste of "home" since we are seldom there.
ReplyDeleteThe special meat sauce makes it a coney dog. The meat sauce (NOT chili) is topped with yellow mustard and chopped onions. It’s a Michigan thing.
DeleteYes a coney dog! Is a coney dog a hot dog?
DeleteAnd hot fogs should be served on hot dog rolls, not buns! (Grilled, of course.) For some arcane reason, hot dog rolls are NOT available in Florida. I blame deSantis.
ReplyDeleteGot to hold the governor responsible for something! Elisabeth
DeleteWhat is the difference between a hotdog roll and a hotdog bun?
DeleteA hot dog roll has flat sides, easier for grilling with a little bit of butter. New England lobster rolls usually are on hot dog rolls, not buns.
DeleteOhhhhh yes, I know those! Thank you!
DeleteI'm with your grandson on this one. Ketchup and only ketchup, please.
ReplyDeleteI will tell him!
DeleteGeez, I have not eaten a hot dog in ages! But ok, I would put mustard and relish on mine. And of course, it would be on a hot dog roll. If it's grilled hot dog, I would also add grilled onions.
ReplyDeleteOn Canada Day, I had hamburgers stuffed with smoked bacon & cheddar with ketchup.
The most memorable hot dog I ate was at a famous hot dog stand during my second trip to Reykjavik, Iceland. It is a lamb hot dog topped with Icelandic mustard and fried onions. You eat it outdoors on the bench. I was there in late February so it was -2C/28F.
Deletehttps://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g189970-d1852122-Reviews-Baejarins_Beztu_Pylsur-Reykjavik_Capital_Region.html
Grace, you are our role model for adventurous cuisine!
DeleteI'd try the lamb hot dog. I wonder what kind of spices they use?
DeleteIn my growing up, meat-eating days, I loved hotdogs, always grilled, and always with mustard and relish. When I switched to vegetarian over 50 years ago, I missed hotdogs the most. Well, hotdogs, and sausage in a biscuit.
ReplyDeleteAwwwwww…
DeleteAnother puzzling hot dog question:
ReplyDeleteWhy are hot dog rolls sold in packs of 8, and there are 10 hot dogs in a package?!
Grace, my Dad would have responded to this with “To make little girls ask questions.” 😏 Elisabeth
DeleteHa ha! My brilliant stepson just looked up at the answer, and says that it’s because meats are typically sold by the pound, and baked goods are sold because of the pans they are made in.
DeleteI grew up eating yellow mustard on a hot dog. I despise sweet pickles in any form, so the relish is out. But somehow in MA everyone seems to want ketchup on their dogs - including my sons! Now I smear mine - grilled, I agree - with Dijon and usually skip the bun. I had one of those on the 4th!
ReplyDeleteSo fascinating how our tastes change!
DeleteChili dogs here! Make the chili. Grill the Hebrew National hot dogs 🌭 (that's the flavor I want!) Chili and a little brown or Dijon mustard. Hot dog buns or rolls not toasted. Yummy.
ReplyDeleteLove HN! Also Fenway Franks of course…
DeleteI don't eat hot dogs as much as I used to though I'm not opposed to them. Growing up (sorry Hank) we had them boiled as well as grilled. I also used to throw in a slice of cheese for mine because I like cheese on most things. I believe when I was very young, I put ketchup on mine but I call that the ignorance of youth. Hell, I don't even like ketchup on anything now.
ReplyDeleteBut as I got older, grilled was the only acceptable form of cooking a hot dog.
And whether as a slightly older kid or as teen or adult, the ONLY acceptable condiment to put on a hot dog was mustard. Relish, onions sauerkraut or anything else...BLASPHEMY.
Of course, I'd prefer a bacon cheeseburger if I'm getting to choose my grilled meat dining options.
JAY: You are my kind of burger guy!
DeleteFrom Jay:
DeleteGrace, if I'm going to go, it might as well be with a bacon cheeseburger. Hell, on the rare occasion I go to Red Robin, I order the bacon cheeseburger with the fried egg on it. I call it the "Heart Attack Burger".
HA HA! I never thought of adding a fried egg...I might try that next time (sans heart attack)!
DeleteHot dogs should be eaten naked…in an untoasted split top “white bread” bun. It is the only way. Cheers, all. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteYes, we were just talking about split top rolls at breakfast today!
DeleteAll the way here--grilled, ketchup, brown or yellow mustard, chopped onions or sauerkraut, and pickle relish. Plus meat sauce if I'm eating Tony Packo's, but that's a whole 'nother dog! Always toast that bun, please!
ReplyDeleteAgree, very key!
DeleteKetchup on a hot dog? Anathema!! Sauerkraut and mustard, please. Unless I'm in Chicago in which case I'll take a Red Hot with all the fixings.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Good thing he is adorable!
DeleteQuebec Steamy: You cannot make it at home. Steamed bun. Boiled hotdog. Their coleslaw. There may have been a touch of mustard – they made it – you ate it. No negotiations. Hot greasy French Fries in a brown paper bag. Nirvanna!
ReplyDeleteFor lunch today – will include cheese on bun with cut tomatoes, onions and jalapenos - melted. Cheese in hot dog (proper cheese not slices). More onions etc. More melting. Mustard, ketchup, and green relish. Salt & vinegar chips or maybe sour cream & onion with more cheese and onion stuff and Frank’s Red Hot sauce. Have been eating this regularly for Saturday lunch since 1979 when we had kids. They all say that on Saturday at noon, when they hear CBC play the opening music to Quirks & Quarks (radio show) that they can smell the hot dogs and NEED chips. Memories are funny!
After first bite – new shirt!
I used to watch possibly Law & Order. They always stopped at the hot dog wagon for lunch. I wanted one.
Oui, I can eat a steamé when I'm in Montreal at a casse-croute (snack bar).
DeleteWhat a great Saturday lunch food-and-listening memory, Margo!
DeleteGrace, our stop was along the highway between Hawkesbury and Lachute. They are the only ones I have ever eaten, but they were necessary!
DeleteWhat a wonderful story!
DeleteI have long held that the only reason for hot dogs to exist is as a condiment-delivery vehicle. Some hot dogs are better than others, but even the best aren't worth eating without plenty of jazzing up. Thus I am a fan of loading them up with all the options. When I was in grad school, there was one day a week when the only way I could get lunch was to grab a dog from a cart as I crossed campus between classes. That cart had an "everything" dog that included ketchup, mustard, relish, onion, sauerkraut AND coney sauce. That combination sounds bad to me even now, but honestly, it was delicious.
ReplyDeleteSusan, there was a new at the time vending machine with a microwave oven (1970) in the corridor of the University of Saskatchewan-Regina. Every day I would drop in my 50cents and eat my hot dog with yellow mustard - I loved them.
DeleteOther great sausage meals were the Oktoberfest sausages at the Ottawa Ex. The only place to eat them!
Everything. Hmmmm. Did that taste like the separate things, or a brand new thing altogether?
DeleteFried or grilled, never boiled. Ketchup, mustard, and green relish if available. Onions a definite NO. Potato chips on the side are always welcome. Happy eating!
ReplyDeleteYes, potato chips are perfect! Why is that?
DeleteI don't like ketchup or mustard as condiments, so I have been known to have hot dogs at sporting events with just pickle relish (or a little mayo, sacrilegious though it be)
ReplyDeleteMayo. OK, that is a fascinating concept.
DeleteMustard and relish only. Definitely not ketchup! The best hotdogs are at Costco and they are kosher❤️
ReplyDeleteCostco is a never ending source of fabulousness.
DeleteCostco Kosher hot dogs...I 'll have to try them!
DeleteHere’s the shopping list for our baseball concession stand:
ReplyDeleteBall Park All Beef Franks, buns, yellow mustard, ketchup, sweet relish, onions.
Lots of math to make the hot dogs and buns come out even (4- 24 count packs of hot dogs and 6- 16 count bags of buns gives you 96 of each) And then people will order with no bun or two dogs and one bun and screw it all up.
We cook the hot dogs on a hot dog roller that was originally used at the Metrodome. As per county health department the cooked hot dogs are kept at a minimum of 135 degrees.
Personally, I put both mustard and ketchup and some relish on mine. If I was going to leave something off, it would be the ketchup.
This is adorable! And a whole new point of view on hotdogs! I love your practical personal experience!
DeleteI'm with you 100%-- grilled (or, in a pinch, microwaved until they burst), on a toasted bun, with pickle relish and YELLOW mustard (brown mustard is for bratwurst).
ReplyDelete(Ellen Kozak, who lives in bratwurst country)
Until they burst? Is that fun? My grandson is here, and I think he will find that irresistible… Any hints before we try it?
DeleteAnd let me ask one question… Will it make my microwave smell, horrible forever?
DeleteAre you really going to burst a hot dog in your microwave as an experiment? Think twice, clean once.
DeleteI split them lengthwise.
DeleteAnd no.
Hot dogs - yum. The very best are from New Jersey (sorry Nathans) from a place called Thumann's. Available online and they ship. I grew up on them. Mr. Thumann lived in my hometown and he generously provided the "dogs" for many events. 1) Must be all beef and grilled until they split 2) homemade buns the length of the dog 3) mustard - may add sauerkraut and/or no bean chili but that's it. Hubs adds pickle relish and onions. No one has ever tried using ketchup. Nope. Nope, Nope.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! And thank you so much for your sharing of the Jungle Red blogs! It is much much much appreciated! Love, love, love…
DeleteFrom Celia: What fun it is to read the comments this morning. I didn’t grow up in hot dog land so to be honest I can’t remember my first actual hot dog. Possibily didn’t eat one before I arrived here. But I do remember the mini ones being served as hors d’oeuvres at many parties while I was growing up, and those I loved. Now I don’t eat them. Too much salt plus unidentifiables inside the skin. As for the accompanying treats I pretty much live them all. But my whole heart goes to ketchup and I have a salt free version which I love.
ReplyDeleteTrue! No one wants to know exactly what a hotdog contains :-)
DeleteI won’t tell you the details of my Industrial Engineer husband’s job interview at a meat packing plant in Iowa. Suffice it to say he would not eat a hot dog for many years afterward.
DeleteI have to read labels because of my soy allergies. I often find soy protein in prepackaged hot dogs.
DeleteFrom Diana: For me, it is mustard and ketchup on my hot dog. Grilled is the only time I like hot dogs.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love them to be really charred. I think that’s bad, but delicious.
DeleteFrom Diana: I like charred hot dogs too.
DeleteI’m not a fan of hot dogs. I have maybe one a year. I like mustard and/or relish on mine. Sauerkraut, if it’s available.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up, Mom had to get creative with our meals because money was always tight. When I was in eighth grade, she made stew with hot dogs once or twice instead of beef. I had such a hard time getting it down! But I ate it because that’s all we had.
Whenever we went on day long drives (we couldn’t afford to go anywhere overnight) we would stop at hot dog stands for lunch, if we didn’t have sandwiches Mom made to bring along. . Long before Dad was ready to take a break, my brother would suddenly exclaim “I smell hot dogs!” One of my sisters would chime in “I smell root beer!” Before long we were often drinking eating and drinking those items!
DebRo
That is such a wonderful memory! Awwwww
DeleteCincinnati chili, mustard and cheese are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteDEELISH!
DeleteThe closest thing to a hot dog here in Bern is a Wienerli (translation: little sausage from Vienna or Wien). It is served at market stands boiled with a slice of dark bread on the side and a big blog of bright yellow mustard on the plate. Switzerland has lots of other kinds of sausages that we eat at parties or fairs (although not as many types as the Germans have!), including Bratwürste, which are grilled or fried (braten means to fry). But all sausages here are served with some sort of mustard. Confession: I don't like mustard! It is made with vinegar and is too sour for me, although I eat it if it is served. Wimpy as it sounds, I eat all sausages plain, with nothing on them. I like the taste of meat. Or, in the case of sausages, I suppose I have to say "meat products."
ReplyDelete::I have never had a sausage.:: Love this international flavor!
DeleteFrom Diana: When I visited the Swiss Alps, there were two takeaways near the gondola? Train? Station that would take us back to a village near Gimmelwald. One was the Rosti Stand. The other was a hot dog stand. The hot dogs were very long. The price difference was 1 franc. That was in 2006. Both were very good. I had both. I was hungry after we hiked the Swiss Alps.
DeleteYelllow mustard and chopped red (or sweet) onion!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a definite taste!
DeleteI went out for lunch on the Fourth and one of the specials of the day was a "Firework Frank" described as "A Deck Style Chicago Dog." (The name of the restaurant is called The Deck - thus the name of the hot dog.) The day before, I was talking with a friend saying that tomorrow (4th of July) was a BBQ-type of day and I really wanted a hot dog. So - the Firework Frank was Karma. It had all kinds of toppings but ... first, it was grilled and definitely NO ketchup. (I have no doubt your grandson is absolutely adorable but ketchup on a hot dog???) Second - the toppings ... pickle relish (it was SO good), diced tomatoes (this was a first but it was a nice touch), and mustard. They also offered white onions and cherry peppers - both were a no for me. The hot dog itself was a beef hot dog (the chubbiest hot dog I've ever seen) and had wonderful grill marks. It was a beautiful "fourth" indeed.
ReplyDeleteOh, you are so right--grill marks, very important!
DeleteMustard, relish and chopped red onions are my favorite add ons. For a wild one, go to Olneyville which is a neighborhood in Providence and go to the NY System Hot Weiners. Their special is a three all the way with a large coffee milk. All the way means with mustard, onions, chili, and celery salt in a steamed bun, if you are in this area, you need to try one! Alicia Kullas
ReplyDeleteWell, that is a new one!
DeleteTwo years ago you did a more extensive poll about Fourth of July traditions.
ReplyDeleteOne of the questions included hotdogs/hamburgers and the toppings.
My response at that time was ketchup, mustard and relish, that has not changed, no onions sauerkraut or mayo all of which would diminish the flavor of the dog.
I also like it grilled with a toasted roll, coleslaw and root beer.
My mother would make a pea soup adding sliced up hotdogs instead of the traditional ham which we didn’t eat.
One of the best hotdogs I ever had was in Toronto. It was at a hotdog stand that sold gourmet hotdogs. I’m not sure of the spelling, but it was made by a company called Qwinter or Kwinter.
I don’t think the company still exists.
HOW do you remember that??? I had totally forgotten!
DeleteI think the few times growing up we had hot dogs made at home, they were boiled. No, thank you. My preference is grilled (preferably at the beach over an open fire which is no longer allowed here in San Diego or at a ballpark) with yes, ketchup and a dab of yellow mustard and relish - unless brown mustard is available. Then in equal parts to the ketchup. In my youth I would add diced onions. — Pat S
ReplyDeleteHot dogs on the beach. It sounds so wonderful..especially if you like sand on them... :-)
DeleteWe boiled hot dogs growing up. For dinner it was served without a bun, but sauerkraut and hominy (which I can't spell right now). Ketchup was available. We did have hot dogs on buns but it was more of a Saturday summer meal. Yellow mustard and sweet pickle relish please.
ReplyDeleteNow, I when have desire for a hot dog, I'll pick a couple at the butcher counter. Grab some flour tortillas. Wrap the hot dog in the tortilla and wrap that in a paper towel, being sure to tuck in the ends so the tortilla doesn't dry out. Microwave for about a minute, on high, maybe a few seconds longer. You can unwrap the tortilla to add the mustard and well drained relish or just dip in mustard and have some sweet pickles on the side. Do wait a minute after you take the hot dog out of microwave so you don't burn your mouth with the first bite.
Oh, that is an interesting concoction! How did you evnn think of it?
DeleteRegular hotdogs are best with brown mustard and sauerkraut. I think yellow mustard is an abomination and isn’t allowed in my house. I’m proud to say that I’ve never bought it. We only had brown mustard when I was growing up. I was shocked to find a jar of yellow mustard in my mother’s refrigerator many years later.
ReplyDeleteIf sauerkraut isn’t available, well-drained pickle relish and/or chopped onions may be added.
And then there are Italian hot dogs, which I’ve only seen in northern New Jersey. Take a well-grilled hot dog or two, place in an Italian roll. Add a generous amount of sautéed peppers and onions. If the roll is bready, scoop out some of it so you’re left with mostly crust. The best hog dog you will ever eat.
Peppers and onions smell so delicious! Especially in someone else's house... :-)
DeleteMy preference for the regular ones? The classic trio of yellow mustard, relish and ketchup. Red hots? Brown mustard ONLY. Anything sausage-like should be served with a generous layer of green peppers and onions sauteed in butter.
ReplyDeleteThe real question is - I know hot dogs are full of everything bad for you - why are they so irresistible?
Maybe that's why? And are they still bad for you?
DeleteAbsolutely, Hank. Anything bad for you is just that much more tempting… Thinking of that song from the Fantasticks “why do the kids put beans in their ears? They did ‘cause you said NO!” Elisabeth
DeleteHot dogs should be grilled or lightly scorched over a campfire. Buns can be as is or toasted. Definitely mustard, maybe relish. Or delete those and make it chili and cheese over the dog.
ReplyDeleteScorched. Yes. xx
DeleteYesterday, I was in the mood for a hotdog (grilled), and as luck would have it, it was Friday. At the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars, in case someone isn't familiar) where Philip belongs, they cook out on Friday, starting about 4:30 and have hotdogs and hamburgers (or cheeseburgers). I can't explain why I love their hotdogs so much. Well, maybe I can, as they are thicker, bigger, and charred just a bit. The only thing missing is a toasted bun. I don't understand those of you objecting so strongly to ketchup, as I find perfection in putting a layer of ketchup on the the dog with a thinner line of mustard on top of that. Delicious! For the first time, last night I ate two. OK, it was one and 3/4. I was stuffed, and thought about the Fourth of July hotdog eating contests where the men's winner, Patrick Bertoletti, of the Nathan's contest this year ate 58 hotdogs. Miki Sudo won the women's competition and set a new women's world record by downing 51 hotdogs (her personal best before that was 48). Oh, did I mention that it's not just the hotdog, but hotdog and bun which must be eaten in ten minutes. Winner does get a lovely yellow mustard winner's belt and $20,000.
ReplyDeleteA mustard yellow belt! Hilarious. I have NEVER understood that particular contest, though. It seems incredibly unpleasant. And agree about the char!
DeleteMustard and DILL relish! No ketchup!
ReplyDeleteYUM!
DeleteHoward Johnsons was known for their hotdogs.
ReplyDeleteDenmark has hotdogs called polsers. There are stands around Copenhagen that are very popular, the choices for toppings include ketchup.
Interesting info! Xx
DeleteSince I don't have a grill, my hot dogs are boiled. I use a tortilla filled with the hot dog, cheese, and spinach. I've spread yellow mustard on the tortilla and used horseradish mayo. When I was a kid I only ate the hot dog and bun. At college, I added potato chips. I don't really eat them very often.
ReplyDeleteYou can cook them in a frying pan to simulate a grill, just score them first and turn them over periodically.
DeleteHi Sally! This tortilla idea is new!
DeleteGrilled, toasted bun, pickle relish only. However, I live in Chicago, where hot dog discussions are a Big Deal.
ReplyDeleteHA! I can only imagine! Xx
Delete