Hot Dog Toppings ~ What’s On Your Dog On National Hot Dog Day?

In previous years we’ve celebrated National Hot Dog Day, the third Wednesday in July, with articles about regional hot dog toppings, like:

 
A word from the restaurant industry:

“Don’t be fooled,” says Restaurant Hospitality, a website that advises independent restaurateurs.

“A closer look at which toppings customers specify when they purchase hot dogs indicates that most stick with old standbys, even when more exotic options can readily be had.”

Well sure: Most people stick with what they’re used to. But NIBBLE readers may be more adventurous…or is that adventuresome†?

Our own favorite toppings used to be what Mom served in our house: sauerkraut and green pickle relish with grainy deli mustard (Dad liked French’s yellow mustard, and often topped his dogs with both).

But give us a gourmet dog with bacon and blue cheese or pimento cheese and jalapeño, and we’ll have seconds. That goes for every hot dog topping in this article.

What about people who frequent hot dog restaurants? JJ’s Red Hots of Charlotte, North Carolina, offers this list of toppings in order of customer preference:
 
 
TOP 10† HOT DOG TOPPINGS PER JJ’s

1. Mustard
2. Onions
3. Chili
4. Slaw
5. Pimento cheese
6. Relish/pickles
7. Bacon
8. Sauerkraut
9. Salsa
10. Caramelized onions

Wait, JJ’s: What happened to ketchup? Don’t people in North Carolina like it?
 
 
HOW TO GARNISH A HOT DOG: THE PROPER ORDER

There is a proper order to topping a hot dog, according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. Condiments should be applied in the following order and always on top of the dog, not between the dog and the bun:

 
 
MORE CREATIVE HOT DOG IDEAS

 
 
HOT DOG TRIVIA

According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council:

 
 
MORE HOT DOG FACTS

[1] It makes you want to have one of each: chili, relish, bánh mì, and German-style hot dogs (photo © Gelson’s Markets).

San Francisco Hot Dog[/caption]
[2] This San Francisco hot dog culls the Bay Area’s abundant produce with a carrot, cucumber, and radish salad and herb mayonnaise (photos #2 and #4 © Applegate Organic and Natural Meats).

[3] Tommy Bahama tops hot dogs with (1) guacamole, diced tomato and jalapeño, (2) plum tomato, red onion and piquillo peppers, (3) bibb lettuce, red onion and mustard, and (4) plain old yellow mustard.

[4] This Atlanta dog is topped with Vidalia onion and peach relish.

> The history of hot dogs, including how the frankfurter became the hot dog.

> Why are hot dogs sold in packs of eight, while hot dog rolls are sold in 10-packs: The mystery revealed.
 
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*Adventurous means someone without fear and ready to accept challenges or adventures, usually with excitement. Adventuresome is someone willing to undertake adventures.

†There are regional preferences, of course: Pimento cheese is popular spread in the South; and of course, ketchup, which many Americans prefer to mustard on their dogs, is not on JJ’s Top 10 list.