The hot dog is one of the most iconic American foods. It’s a staple at backyard barbecues, baseball games, and cookouts across the country. But what exactly makes a hot dog “all American”? There are countless regional variations when it comes to hot dog toppings, with strong opinions on both sides. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of the hot dog, the key ingredients that go into an all American style hot dog, and the most popular regional toppings and condiment combinations. Whether you like your dog loaded up or prefer the pure, unadorned taste of the wiener, read on to learn all about this American classic.
A Brief History of the Hot Dog
The origins of the hot dog are highly debatable, with various stories about where and when the first hot dog was created. Some say hot dogs were being sold from carts in New York City as early as the 1860s. Others point to German immigrants in the late 1800s, bringing traditions of eating sausage from the old country. Coney Island claims to be the “birthplace of the hot dog” when Charles Feltman started selling sausages on buns there in 1867. And the stories go on and on.
While the exact origins are murky, what we do know is that hot dogs quickly became popular street food, especially in cities, where they were sold at stands and carts. The name “hot dog” became common in the early 1900s, supposedly coined by a newspaper cartoonist who observed the products being sold at a New York Giants baseball game.
The hot dog grew even more ubiquitous in American culture following World War II. As more Americans could afford cars, drive-ins, road trips, and backyard barbecues became hallmarks of Americana. And no summer picnic or ball game was complete without a pack of hot dogs.
Today, Americans eat an estimated 20 billion hot dogs per year! From coast to coast, the humble hot dog remains a quintessential American food.
Key Ingredients in an All American Hot Dog
While variations abound, a traditional all American hot dog contains just a few key ingredients:
The Wiener
The foundation of the hot dog is the wiener or frankfurter. This sausage typically contains a mixture of pork, beef, and sometimes chicken or turkey. The meat trimmings are ground and combined with spices, curing salts, and binders to create an emulsified sausage. once encased in an edible collagen casing, the sausages are smoked and fully cooked. When you bite into a hot dog, that satisfying snap comes from the natural casing.
The Bun
The hot dog bun originated in the early 20th century so customers could eat hot dogs without burning their hands. The classic hot dog bun is soft, slightly sweet, and pillowy with a split top to cradle the wiener. Buns are typically made from a simple dough of flour, water, yeast, shortening, and a touch of sugar. The dough is rolled and sliced into individual buns, then proofed and baked. Soft, squishy buns are ideal for soaking up hot dog toppings and condiments.
Condiments
While up for debate, the classic all American hot dog condiments are mustard, relish, onions, and ketchup. Mustard provides a tangy bite, sweet pickle relish a crunchy and tart complement, and onions a spicy, aromatic component. Ketchup adds a sweet, tomatoey flavor. Other popular condiments include sauerkraut, chili, cheese sauce, mayonnaise, and hot sauce. The permutations of condiment combinations are nearly endless!
Regional Variations
Hot dogs are beloved across America, but distinct regional variations have emerged over time. Here are some of the most iconic regional hot dog styles:
New York Style
New York pushcart hot dogs are served with steaming hot sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard. The natural casing “snap” is imperative for an authentic New York dog.
Chicago Dog
Chicago hot dogs are loaded with mustard, chopped onions, neon green relish, sport peppers, tomato wedges, a dill pickle spear, and celery salt in a poppy seed bun. Ketchup is strictly taboo according to Chicago tradition.
Coney Dog
Hailing from Michigan, Coney dogs are smothered in a meaty chili sauce, diced onions, and yellow mustard. No trip to Detroit is complete without grabbing a late night Coney dog.
Kansas City Dog
Kansas City hot dogs come sauced with melted cheese, sauerkraut, and barbecue sauce or chili. The city is also known for its beer-battered corn dog variation.
Cincinnati Cheese Coney
Cincinnati is passionate about its Coney dogs piled high with mustard, onions, chili, and shredded cheddar cheese. An authentic Cheese Coney should make your cheeks overflow with each bite.
Southern Slaw Dog
Also called “uptown dogs,” these hot dogs come topped with creamy coleslaw, chopped onions, ketchup, mustard, and chili. Popular in the Southeastern states like Georgia and the Carolinas.
Seattle Cream Cheese Dog
A Seattle specialty, hot dogs are topped with cream cheese and grilled onions for a rich, decadent taste. Often the buns are also grilled or toasted.
California Bacon-Wrapped
On the West Coast, hot dogs are often wrapped in bacon and grilled to achieve that caramelized char. Avocado, grilled peppers and onions, pico de gallo, and chipotle mayo are popular additions.
Hawaiian Puka Dog
Puka dogs were created on Kauai in the 1990s. A Polish sausage is dipped in a secret garlic lemon sauce then nestled in a hole of a sweet Hawaiian bread roll.
| Region | Style | Toppings |
|---|---|---|
| New York | New York Pushcart | Sauerkraut, mustard |
| Chicago | Chicago Dog | Mustard, relish, onion, peppers, pickles, tomato, celery salt |
| Michigan | Coney Dog | Chili sauce, onion, mustard |
| Kansas City | Kansas City Dog | Cheese, chili, barbecue sauce, sauerkraut |
| Cincinnati | Cheese Coney | Mustard, onion, chili, cheese |
| Southeast | Slaw Dog | Coleslaw, onion, chili, ketchup, mustard |
| Seattle | Cream Cheese Dog | Cream cheese, grilled onion |
| California | Bacon-Wrapped | Bacon, avocado, grilled veggies |
| Hawaii | Puka Dog | Garlic lemon sauce, sweet bun |
Build Your Own All American Hot Dog
One of the beauties of hot dogs is their versatility and customizable nature. You can truly make your own all American hot dog suited to your specific tastes. Here are some tips for building your dream hot dog:
Start with a Quality Wiener
Not all hot dogs are created equal. Splurge on high-end wieners like Hebrew National, Nathan’s Famous, or Vienna Beef for the quintessential hot dog experience. Choose wiener size based on your preferred meat-to-bun ratio.
Choose a Fresh Bun
Pick soft, moist buns that don’t crumble or get soggy. Brioche or potato buns offer a delicious alternative to classic white buns. Split-top New England style buns are great for piling on toppings.
Layer on Condiments
Yellow mustard, ketchup, and relish are classic choices, but why stop there? Get creative with chili sauce, cheese spreads, kimchi, pickled jalapenos, or a drizzle of chimichurri. Mix and match sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy flavors.
Load Up on Toppings
Crunch and texture enhance the hotdog experience. The possibilities are endless: raw or caramelized onions, sauerkraut, crispy bacon, avocado, pineapple, coleslaw, crushed chips…you name it!
Don’t Skimp on Quality
From premium hot dogs to artisanal condiments and toppings, use high quality ingredients to take your hot dog to the next level. Top with freshly chopped veggies and herbs for maximum flavor.
Make it a Meal
Serve your dressed up dog alongside other classic fixings like potato chips, potato salad, or macaroni salad. Bake beans, french fries, and coleslaw are also great hot dog meal companions.
Get Creative with Presentation
Serve your hot dog on a soft pretzel bun, stick a flag in it, skewer it, or cut it into bite-sized pinwheels. Pair it with a craft beer or milkshake. The possibilities are endless!
At the end of the day, embrace your inner American creativity. Whether you’re cooking for a backyard BBQ or late night snack, have fun and relish the process of building your ultimate all American hot dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about all American hot dogs:
What is the difference between a hot dog and a frankfurter?
Frankfurter refers specifically to the type of sausage used in hot dogs. Traditional franks are made from a seasoned, smoked, and cooked pork and/or beef blend. The term hot dog can refer to the sausage itself or the entire sandwich of sausage and bun.
What is the best way to cook hot dogs?
Hot dogs can be prepared in many ways! Grilling over an open flame is a classic cooking method, adding that quintessential char. Boiling or simmering in water ensures even cooking and heat distribution. You can pan fry on the stovetop or roast in the oven as well. Microwaved hot dogs work in a pinch but end up lacking flavor from the cooking process.
What are the healthiest hot dog toppings?
To lighten up your hot dog, stick to fresh vegetables like shredded lettuce or cabbage, tomatoes, spinach, grilled onions or peppers, mushrooms, and other veggies of your choice. Olive oil, mustard, salsa, and hummus are healthier condiment choices over calorie-dense mayo and cheese sauces. Avoid processed meats like bacon or chili with a lot of saturated fat and sodium.
What are some creative hot dog topping ideas?
The possibilities are endless when it comes to hot dog toppings! Some fun flavor combinations include avocado and hot sauce, kimchi and sriracha, caramelized pineapple and teriyaki, coleslaw and corn chips, fried egg and bacon, blue cheese and buffalo chicken, and hash browns with chipotle mayo.
Are hot dogs unhealthy or bad for you?
Like many processed meats, hot dogs have a reputation for being high in fat, sodium, nitrates, and preservatives. However, beef or turkey hot dogs in moderation can absolutely be part of a healthy diet. Choose uncured hot dogs when possible and pile on nutritious toppings like veggies. Just stick to recommended serving guidelines.
What are the most important all American hot dog condiments?
It’s hard to imagine an all American hot dog without ketchup, mustard, relish, and onions. These traditional condiments pair so well with the salty meatiness of a good hot dog. Other popular condiments like sauerkraut, chili, coleslaw, and cheese sauce put a regional twist on the classic dog.
Conclusion
The iconic hot dog remains a staple of American cuisine after more than 150 years. Its origins may be hazy, but its appeal is undeniable. The classic combination of smoky sausage, soft bun, and tangy condiments is simply hard to beat. Regional variations keep the hot dog tradition exciting and ever-evolving across the U.S. From summer barbecues to ballgames, hot dogs bring people together in celebration of community, nostalgia, and Americana. There are so many ways to customize your perfect all American dog – now get out there and start grilling!