Foodies commemorate the hot dog during National Hot Dog Month
July celebrates National Hot Dog Month, honoring the beloved hot dog, and many national chains are joining in on the fun with special deals and discounts. Today, July 21, is the highlight, National Hot Dog Day.
Hot dogs are as iconic in America as baseball — the Los Angeles Dodgers even have one named just for them with the Dodger Dog, not surprisingly as LA consumes the most hot dogs, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council .
We eat them steamed, grilled, and broiled. These cylindrical sausages are made with pork, beef, poultry — and often with other unnamed fillers. Some have skin that pops when you bite them. They are usually served in a bread roll, shaped just to cradle them and topped with an assortment of mustard, ketchup, onions, and relish. Regionally, some popular toppings include cheese, chili, sauerkraut, or hot peppers. We know them as frankfurters, franks, wieners, weenies, coneys, and red hots.
Most hot dog consumers have not only their favorite store-bought dogs, especially Hewbrew National, but the restaurants that serve them — often with their own creative names and brands.
Sue Ramirez of Mission Viejo said her childhood favorite was a local eatery in Woodland Hills, and her family would eat there once a week.
“My all-time favorite is CUPIDS HOT DOGS 😉best dog & Chili ever!! They snap when you bite into them,” Ramirez said. “I thought the closest one now is in Van Nuys but just looked and I’m so excited they now have one on Harbor Blvd in Fullerton. I think they are better than Pinks!! Guess I know where I’ll be heading out to tomorrow 😋.”
Phil Collins, of Lake Forest, said he is a big fan of the Norfolk Dog. He said the history goes back to the 1920s in Downtown Norfolk, and his workers then went on to establish their own stores.
“The dogs have a nice snap when you bite into them. The chili is a fine meat consistency made from a recipe that goes all the way back. Great taste overall with the mustard and onions, just don’t ask the man behind the counter for ketchup!” Collins said.
He added when Hormel stopped making the snap wieners a couple of years ago, “there was a panic and rush by the hot dog spots to find a suitable replacement.”
To most, the term “Garbage Plate” wouldn’t inspire mouth watering, except to those who’ve experienced this culinary delight based out of Nick Tahou’s in Rochester, New York.
When ordering a Garbage Plate, customers usually get a choice of two bases from a list that includes home fries, pasta salad, baked beans, mac and cheese, and French fries. Next add macaroni salad. Now comes the protein — the most popular is usually split and grilled red hots. This is crowned with a lavish topping of meat hot sauce, described as similar to a thin all-beef chili with a little extra cayenne and chili powder.
Rochester’s also famous for its white hots by Zweigles. Ask anyone who’s eaten one of these about the enjoyable pop when you bite into one.
“ There is nothing like a garbage plate!,” said Connie Visconte of Mission Viejo. “ Zwiegles white hots are my favorite!”
To celebrate the beloved hot dog, here are some of the national company’s commemorative events for National Hot Dog Month.
The 7-Eleven® franchise is celebrating the entire month with its “Seize the Dog” campaign by offering its Quarter-Pound Big Bite 100% beef hot dog for just $1 at participating stores.
Farmer John has its food truck on the road once again to feed, celebrate and serve Southern Californians. For a second year, the Farmer John California Commitment Tour is embarking on a 12-week mission to deliver grab-and-go lunches to local heroes and essential businesses in the greater Los Angeles community, and donating much-needed protein to local food banks. Farmer John will kick off its tour on July 21 with a gesture of appreciation to the best neighborhood to call home by offering fans a chance to win Farmer John hot dogs for a year.
Nathan’s Famous® teamed up with Kroger and reigning hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut at its National Hot Dog Day event in Cincinnati. Chestnut recently won his 14th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, breaking his own record and consuming 76 hot dogs within 10 minutes.
The NHDSC’s data shows America’s love for the hot dog isn’t dissipating. There’s even vegan hots readily available today. During peak hot dog season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans typically consume 7 billion hot dogs. That’s 818 hot dogs consumed every second during that period, the data shows.
The big numbers are right here in So Cal. Los Angeles Dodger fans consumed 2.7 million hot dogs in 2019. Across the major leagues, fans enjoyed 18.3 million hot dogs during the 2019 season.
