The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council has designated July as Hot Dog Month and for 2017 Wednesday, July 19 as National Hot Dog Day.
Whether they are grilled, boiled, broiled, pan-fried, rotisserie cooked, cooked on a stick over a campfire or any other way, hot dogs are a favorite summertime staple. They are loved by children and adults alike plain or garnished with one or a combination of mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish, cheese, bacon, chili, or sauerkraut.
On May 31, 2012, a world record was set for the most expensive hot dog. The “California Capitol City Dawg” sold for $145.49 at Capitol Dawg in Sacramento, California. The “California Capitol City Dawg” features:
- A grilled 18″ all-beef, in natural casing frank from Chicago
- served on a fresh-baked herb and oil focaccia roll spread with white truffle butter, then grilled
- topped with whole grain mustard from France, garlic and herb mayonnaise
- sauteed chopped shallots, organic mixed baby greens, maple syrup
- marinated/fruitwood smoked uncured bacon from New Hampshire
- chopped tomatoes, sweetened dried cranberries, chopped tomato
- expensive moose cheese from Sweden
- basil olive oil/pear-cranberry-coconut balsamic vinaigrette and ground peppercorn
- Proceeds from the sale of each 3 lb. super dog were donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Fun Facts:
- 7-Eleven sells the most grilled hot dogs in North America – 100 million annually.
- Over 25 million hot dogs are sold at baseball stadiums each year.
- The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council created National Hot Dog Day. The first National Hot Dog Day was established in 1991 to coincide with a hot dog lunch on Capitol Hill every year on the 3rd Wednesday in July.
- THE HOT DOG’S TRUE ORIGINS ARE A MYSTERY. Essentially, hot dogs are a modern-day twist on the humble sausage—a food that has some seriously ancient roots. Sausages were mentioned in Homer’s The Odyssey, and Emperor Nero’s chef, Gaius, is said to have prepared them for his ruler.
- THERE’S A “RIGHT”—AND A “WRONG”—WAY TO EAT HOT DOGS. Enjoy dousing your hot dog with ketchup, or eating it with a knife and a fork? You philistine. According to one American meat trade association’s official etiquette guide for hot dog-eating (yes, this actually exists), it’s tacky to top your frank with the red sauce if you’re over 18 years old, and pretentious to consume it with utensils.
- Other no-nos? Placing the dog on a fancy bun, like sun-dried tomato or basil, and serving it on anything fancier than a paper plate or everyday dishes. A few “dos”? Eat every part of the hot dog (including leftover bun bits), pair it with simple drinks and sides, and always lick off any condiments that you find on your fingers.
- Mustard is the most popular hot dog topping (but ketchup comes in a close second).
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