Hot Dog Day

July: Hot Dog Month, National Hot Dog Day, September 10: Hot Dog Day

Hot Dog Day

There are a whole bunch of days for celebrating the hot dog; and they are celebrated all over, including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. The hog dog is a frankfurter, especially one served hot in a long, soft roll and topped with various condiments. The rolls or buns and the toppings have regional variations.

Some Hot Dog Day origins are unknown and some have sponsors. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council in the United States designated July as National Hot Dog Month and National Hot Dog Day on the third Wednesday of July–though it may vary as it’s based on when the North American Meat Institute hosts its annual Hot Dog Lunch on Capitol Hill.

According to Foodimentary.com, Hot Dog Day has been celebrated on September 10 since 1978.

A Few Notable Hog Dog Events & Days
  • The Boston Hot Dog Safari in May is an annual charity benefit for cystic fibrosis founded by Boston sports radio host Eddie Andelman.
  • Hot Dog Day had been celebrated on the third Saturday in April in Alfred, New York since 1971.
Hot Dog Facts & Trivia
  • In 2005, a National Hot Dog & Sausage Council survey found that mustard was the most popular condiment, preferred by 32% of respondents; 23% favored ketchup; 17% chili; 9% pickle relish, and 7% onions.
  • A 2014 survey found that 71% of Americans topped their hot dogs with mustard, and 52% used ketchup.
  • One of earliest uses of the term hot dog in reference to the frankfurter appeared in the Evansville Daily Courier (Indiana) in September 14, 1884: “even the innocent ‘wienerworst’ man will be barred from dispensing hot dog on the street corner.”
  • In the United States, the term “hot dog” refers to both the frankfurter by itself and the combination of frankfurter on the bun.
  • Americans consume 20 billion hot dogs annually.
Mini Hot Dog Party, Regional Variations

Though some of these are supposed to use all-beef or all-pork, or special buns, this is a just for fun menu. Pick and choose from a variety of “dogs.”

The basics: dinner rolls and miniature smoked sausages

Heat oven to warm rolls as directed on package. Meanwhile, heat a little olive oil in a pan over medium heat. The cook sausages in oil a few minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly browned and thoroughly heated. Cut slit in top of each roll. Place 1 sausage in each roll. OR make full size hot dog and cut into fourth and do the same for the buns.

  • Atlanta Dogs
    top with chili dog and vinaigrette-style deli coleslaw
  • Baltimore Bologna Dog
    wrapped sausages in grilled bologna lined with yellow mustard
  • Bavarian Dog
    brush buns with butter and sprinkle with caraway seeds, top with sauerkraut, diced apple, sweet onion, and celery
  • California Dog
    top with barbecue sauce, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, crumbled feta cheese, and black pepper
  • Chicago-style Dog
    brush buns with butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds, top with yellow mustard, white onions, dill pickle spear (julienned for the mini), tomato, and Chicago-style relish (a mix of hot sport peppers and a dash of celery salt
  • Cincinnati Dog
    top with Cincinnati chili (it has cinnamon in it), onion, and cheddar cheese
  • Cleveland Polish Boy
    top with French fries, sweet barbecue sauce or hot sauce, and coleslaw
  • Crab Mac n’ Cheese Dog
    top with lump crab meat, macaroni & cheese, Old Bay seasoning — originated in Baltimore, MD
  • Denver Dog
    top with red onion, green chili salsa sauce, sour cream, and sliced jalapenos
  • Detroit Dog AKA Coney Island Dog
    top with yellow mustard, all meat chili, diced white onion
  • Jersey-Style Dog
    fry chopped diced potatoes, chopped red bell peppers, and chopped onion in a pan with some olive oil, season with salt and pepper and a dash of Italian seasoning, use as the topping
  • Kansas City-style Dog
    brush buns with butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds, top with brown mustard, sauerkraut, and melted Swiss cheese
  • New York City Dog
    top with yellow mustard and steamed onions
  • Memphis Dog
    wrapped sausages in bacon before cooking, secure with toothpicks if necessary, top with barbecue sauce, chopped onions, scallions, and cheddar cheese
  • Salami Dog
    wrapped sausages in fried salami and top with mustard and sliced kosher dill pickle — originated in Philadelphia, PA
  • Seattle Dog
    spread cream cheese on warmed bun, top with cooked sweet onions, brown mustard, and optionally sauerkraut
  • Sonoran Dog
    wrapped sausages in bacon before cooking, secure with toothpicks if necessary, top with warmed pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, and optionally mayonnaise, mustard, and chopped jalapeno — originated in the Mexican state of Sonora and is popular in southern Arizona
  • Texas Dog
    top with salsa, Monterey Jack cheese, sliced jalapenos, and optionally chili
  • Texas Tommy Dog
    slice dog down the middle and fill with Cheez Whiz and crispy bacon — originated in Philadelphia, PA
  • West Virginia-style Dog
    top with a meat chili sauce, onions, coleslaw, and yellow mustard
Hot Dog Month | National Hot Dog Day: Have a Hot Dog Party with mini versions from around the nation! Get the recipes. Click To Tweet
You Might Also Like

⇴ image purchased from vecteezy

Share It:
Skip to content