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Hot Dogs

MFS62 Apr 02 2010 08:34 PM

In Tim Kurkjean's book "Is This a Great Game, or What?" about his 25 years covering baseball., he has a chapter titled "Ketchup". It describes a meeting he had with Bud Selig, and talks about (among other things) Selig's love for ketchup on his hot dogs. I'm a chili dog guy, with mustard and sauerkraut only as a backup plan. I started to think of a poll question, then realized the permutations and combinations could be endless, when you consider all the stuff on a Chicago-style hot dog (including cucumber!!!). So, I'll just ask, What do you like on your hot dogs/ weiners/ franks or whatever you call them? Later

metirish Apr 02 2010 08:41 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Mustard , nothing else.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 02 2010 08:54 PM Re: Hot Dogs

I grew up a ketchup boy, became a mustard man. I rarely eat the things anymore, but am certainly adventurous when I do -- Onions, chili, kraut, mustard, whatever.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 02 2010 08:59 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Same. Mustard, kraut, and if there's some kind of funky onion thing, or homemade relish/pickle business, I'll slap it on there. But Shake Shack's Chicago dog is tempting.

metirish Apr 02 2010 09:01 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Actually I do like the chili dog from Checkers in Bay Plaza.

seawolf17 Apr 02 2010 09:13 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Mighty good question. Used to be -- as a kid -- ketchup. (Never been a fan of mustard.) Got into sauerkraut, and lost my taste for ketchup; now I'd rather eat them plain than with ketchup. Now I'm pretty wide open. Sauerkraut, cheese, chili, relish -- I'll take any or all. Chicago dogs, which I had for the first time last summer when I was there -- kicked my ass, though. Very, very good.

cooby Apr 02 2010 09:30 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Funny you should ask... We had hot dogs tonight and I put salsa on mine, it was okay, but eh. Usually I use ketchup and brown mustard. If I am feeling feisty, onions. If I am a lucky girl, sauerkraut or chili.

DocTee Apr 02 2010 09:31 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Never mustard. Ketchup, Kraut, Onion, Pickle.

themetfairy Apr 02 2010 09:35 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Sauerkraut

seawolf17 Apr 02 2010 09:37 PM Re: Hot Dogs

I don't get the lure of the onion as a foodstuff. As an additive in a sauce or chili or whatever, diced up teeeeenytiny, yes. But a big honkin' chunk of onion, placed on a hot dog or a burger or a pizza or a sausage, on purpose, I just don't understand. In "bloomin'" form, either. Just don't get the allure.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 02 2010 09:50 PM Re: Hot Dogs

'Cause when you, say, saute it, it gets nicely sweet (and smoky, or tart, or whatever, depending on the type of onion). Caramelized onion makes almost everything better, including tubular organ meat.

Valadius Apr 02 2010 10:00 PM Re: Hot Dogs

You know, I've never really explored all the condiments when it comes to hot dogs. I've generally eaten it plain. But I enjoy onions on sandwiches and burgers, so I don't doubt that I'd probably enjoy them on hot dogs as well.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 02 2010 10:20 PM Re: Hot Dogs

So... you eat them naked, Val? What, to better appreciate the nuances of the factory processing and casing?

Gwreck Apr 02 2010 10:33 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Mustard Onion Tomato (wedge) Sport peppers Pickle (spear) Celery Salt. Note the absence of relish. There is no better hot dog. Despite being a proud New Yorker, I will admit that another city has us beat on this particular item. (Of course, we do have them at Shake Shack, although they are not nearly as good as the ones you can get a few blocks from Wrigley at the Weiner's Circle.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 02 2010 10:48 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Mustard and sauerkraut. Though I did like that Chicago Dog (Shake-ago?) dog sold at the Shake Shack last season at CF? So where are the good chili dogs? My general experience is that the places that are putting chili on their dogs are cooking the worst chili imaginable.

Nymr83 Apr 02 2010 11:45 PM Re: Hot Dogs

ketchup, sometimes mustard. toast the bun and preferably grill the dog, no dirty water dogs.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2010 04:46 AM Re: Hot Dogs

I hate mustard, and generally don't like ketchup either. When I eat a hot dog, my topping of choice is sauerkraut. If you're even in Honolulu, though, I suggest you seek out a place called Puka Dog. (Pronounced "pooka") They serve their hot dogs with a fruit-flavored relish (you can choose mango, banana, and a bunch of others) along with a garlic sauce. Very tasty. http://www.pukadog.com/

Frayed Knot Apr 03 2010 06:34 AM Re: Hot Dogs

Mustard always - spicy & brown. And, at any given time, might opt for onions, chili or other available speciality topping (like Grimm's example) depending on mood or how they look at the particular place. Never ketchup, relish, or kraut

Swan Swan H Apr 03 2010 06:38 AM Re: Hot Dogs

Mustard is a given, and I will also have relish, red onions or sauerkraut, whatever is available and strikes me at the time. I appreciated that the Citi Field concession stands had a good selection of hot dog toppings last year. We had heard so much about Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington that we decided to pay a visit a couple of years ago. We took the train down to D.C. to see Great Big Sea and Eddie From Ohio at Wolf Trap, and thought we'd detour up to Ben's to try the half-smoke. Well, the date was August 22, 2008, and as it happened it was their 50th Anniversary. The whole block was closed for a huge celebration, and the line was at least a block long. We didn't have time to wait it out, so we got back on the train and headed to our hotel. Have any 'Poolers been there? Just wondering what you thought of the place.

dgwphotography Apr 03 2010 06:44 AM Re: Hot Dogs

Always with brown spicy mustard, and depending on my mood, relish or sauerkraut, with or without onions...

Kong76 Apr 03 2010 06:51 AM Re: Hot Dogs

I'll eat anything on a hot dog except ketchup. I particularly like mustard and those overpriced Sabrett push cart onions or mustard and some cheapy Hormell no bean chilli. I'm partial to spicy brown mustard ... but I'll eat the pukey yellow kind if I have to.

sharpie Apr 03 2010 10:18 AM Re: Hot Dogs

Mustard is required. Ketchup is forbidden. Saurkraut if available. That Sabrett onion stuff is pretty good as Kong has noted. I want a hot dog.

Ashie62 Apr 03 2010 11:04 AM Re: Hot Dogs

Nathan's hotdog, spicy mustard, chopped onion & green relish....no ketchup The Sabretts onion ooze is fun

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2010 11:17 AM Re: Hot Dogs

Anyone ever try the dijon mustard on a dog? You feel like you should be eating it with raised pinky finger, and using the word "quite" a lot. Do your condiment preferences vary on, say, a bratwurst, sausage-and-peppers, or other tubed-meat variants?

Swan Swan H Apr 03 2010 11:46 AM Re: Hot Dogs

I like sauteed onions on brats, just sliced onion sauteed in a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce toward the end. This is in addition to mustard. The mustard on a brat should be more robust than on a hot dog, but never yellow mustard in any case. Gold's and Kosciusko are the two I end up using most, and I like Gulden's just fine as well.

Rockin' Doc Apr 03 2010 12:15 PM Re: Hot Dogs

My years in Chicago show their influence when it comes to hot dogs. Gwreck and I are virtual brethren when it comes to hot dog eating. Start with a beef frank, mustard (preferably the spicy brown variety), diced onions, dill pickle spear, tomato wedges, spicy peppers, and celery salt all on a poppy seed bun. That is unfortunatley impossible to get around our area unless you're making them at home. Around here it's chili, cheese, slaw, and onions. Still pretty good, but just not the same as the Chicago style dog.

MFS62 Apr 03 2010 12:16 PM Re: Hot Dogs

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":36nz2j8s]Anyone ever try the dijon mustard on a dog? You feel like you should be eating it with raised pinky finger, and using the word "quite" a lot. Do your condiment preferences vary on, say, a bratwurst, sausage-and-peppers, or other tubed-meat variants?[/quote:36nz2j8s] Dijon? Never. Allergic to peppers, so I don't go there. But I never tried chili on a brat. Thanks for the idea. Oh, I talked about this with MMYF. She told me one of her friends liked to put potato salad on her hot dog. Think I'll give it a try, too. Later Later

soupcan Apr 03 2010 03:32 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Mustard & kraut. If you've got to put the chili and/or cheese somewhere, then you can put it on my burger.

Elster88 Apr 03 2010 03:36 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Hot Dogs Willets Point prefers them with armpit hair.

sharpie Apr 03 2010 03:42 PM Re: Hot Dogs

After reading this I actually did go out and get a hot dog. Mustard and kraut. Delicious.

seawolf17 Apr 03 2010 07:33 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Traveling in Connecticut for work has opened up a trove of fantastic hot dogs. Super Duper Weenie, right off I-95 in Fairfield, and Blackie's, right off I-84 in Cheshire, are the two best. Blackie's hot relish is out of this world, and almost worth buying the overpriced jars of the stuff they sell. SDW makes Chicago dogs and Cincinnati dogs, which include that cinnamon-spiced Skyline-style chili. (They also offer regular chili.) The guys at SDW make fun of Duchess, but I enjoy their chili on their dogs and burgers. There are a few other places that I'll go for dogs while I'm visiting schools, but I can't think of them now. There's a place in New Britain that's super-cheap, but I'm not a fan of the chili. I really, really miss Walter's, which is still in Mamaroneck. They had a place in East Northport when we were in high school, and we went there all the time, to the point where the owner knew us all by name. They have homemade ice cream too; my friend still tells the story about how one day the owner offered me either a single for free or a double for the price of a single. I thought for a second, and asked for two singles.

Kong76 Apr 10 2010 11:30 AM Re: Hot Dogs

In honor of my Favorite Hot Dog returning to the lineup, I had two with spicy brown mustard and Sabrett push cart onions. Remember, put the unused onions in an old ice cube tray and make onion cubes. Put them in a freezer bag, and then use at your leisure without waste!

MFS62 Apr 10 2010 11:32 AM Re: Hot Dogs

[quote="Kong76":lgru7iv1]In honor of my Favorite Hot Dog returning to the lineup, I had two with spicy brown mustard and Sabrett push cart onions. Remember, put the unused onions in an old ice cube tray and make onion cubes. Put them in a freezer bag, and then use at your leisure without waste![/quote:lgru7iv1] I prefer to recycle onions the old fashoined way. Later

HahnSolo Apr 10 2010 01:27 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Spicy brown mustard - NEVER that French's yellow crap. Will also go with sauerkraut if it is available.

Willets Point Apr 10 2010 06:01 PM Re: Hot Dogs

How do you know that my armpits aren't clean shaven?

Fman99 Apr 10 2010 07:20 PM Re: Hot Dogs

I like my hot dog dipped in vagina. Repeatedly and with vigor.

Fman99 Apr 10 2010 08:36 PM Re: Hot Dogs

Now, for a frankfurter... Mustard down one side, ketchup the other, at a minimum. Relish or sauerkraut down the middle if it's available. Chili dog with onions? Also works for me. Italian sausage, now those I like with fried peppers and onions AND sauerkraut.

Vic Sage Apr 11 2010 06:11 AM Re: Hot Dogs

having grown up in Coney, eating Nathan Handwerker's sausages since birth, I'm a hot dog purist. The notion that Chicago knows how to prepare either a hot dog (now why would i put a salad on my frank?) or a pizza (deep dish? you mean doughy pile of crap?) is as laughable as the Cubs fielding a WS winner. Here's how it works: ketchup, when you're a kid and prefer things sweet and mild. Mustard, when you've grown enough hair on your balls to take it a tad spicier. Sauerkraut, red onions and/or relish are ok, especially if its a boiled "dirty water" dog and your trying to add flavor. But on a well grilled wiener, such condiments are unnecessary. Chili & cheese are borderline, if you're making it a meal instead of a nosh. But not at a ballgame. and whole vegetables? really? get the fuck away from me.

Willets Point Apr 11 2010 07:40 AM Re: Hot Dogs

Note to self: do not try to out-crude Fman.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 11 2010 08:21 AM Re: Hot Dogs

[quote="Vic Sage"]having grown up in Coney, eating Nathan Handwerker's sausages since birth, I'm a hot dog purist. The notion that Chicago knows how to prepare either a hot dog (now why would i put a salad on my frank?) or a pizza (deep dish? you mean doughy pile of crap?) is as laughable as the Cubs fielding a WS winner.

Man, nobody likes a purist but other purists. And those guys smell.

You're spot on with the pizza (do what you want with your deep-dish, Chicago, but call a spade a spade: it's casserole), but... man, the Chicago dogs-- at least, their Shake Shack versions-- are good.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 11 2010 10:21 AM Re: Hot Dogs

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"][quote="Vic Sage"]having grown up in Coney, eating Nathan Handwerker's sausages since birth, I'm a hot dog purist. The notion that Chicago knows how to prepare either a hot dog (now why would i put a salad on my frank?) or a pizza (deep dish? you mean doughy pile of crap?) is as laughable as the Cubs fielding a WS winner.

Man, nobody likes a purist but other purists. And those guys smell.

You're spot on with the pizza (do what you want with your deep-dish, Chicago, but call a spade a spade: it's casserole), but... man, the Chicago dogs-- at least, their Shake Shack versions-- are good.

I agree with you and that's saying something because my hot dog preferences are generally, very similar to Sage's. What I like about the Shake-Ago dog at CF is the ratio between toppings and bun size: the toppings don't overwhelm the dog and are small enough to stay neatly inside the bun without spilling over onto my shirt.