With Sales in the Billions, the Hot Dog Industry Has a Reason to Wag Its Tail

Americans love hot dogs. This originally German fare has become a staple in households across the United States. Hot dogs are in such demand by consumers that manufacturers have created many varieties to please them. From Chicago style to New York style, all natural to processed, and beef to chicken, Americans are getting their fill of a favorite food.

July is National Hot Dog Month, and Americans will buy hog dogs by the millions. According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, Americans eat 150 million hot dogs over the summer months. Grilling and campfires are the most popular ways that they prepare their hot dogs in the hot weather. However, sales of the processed meat occur year-round.

Hot dogs across America are as diverse as the population. Each area claims it has the best, and consumers certainly have their preferences. Two of the most popular hot dog styles are New York and Chicago. Natives of these cities are as dedicated to their hot dogs as sports fans are to their teams. (Coincidentally, hot dogs are top sellers at sporting events.)

If you order a New York hot dog, you will get either sauerkraut and deli mustard topping (Deli Dog) or steamed onions and deli mustard (Cart Dog). In Chicago, locals prefer their Red Hots on a poppy seed roll with yellow mustard, sweet relish, fresh onion and tomato, pickle, peppers, and celery salt. Wow!

Mustard and onions aren't the only popular toppings for hot dogs. Many people love chilidogs. As the hot dog, chili styles vary according to the area of the country. Not only that, but each shop has its own way of making their hot dogs special. Ed Levine, of the New York Times, writes that a restaurant called the Old Homestead sells an upscale version of the hot dog for $19! Hey! Even the rich dine on processed foods.

Hot dog ingredients are also diverse ranging from Kosher to vegetarian (if vegetarian style is truly a hot dog). Kosher hot dogs are made with beef and do not use natural casing. Some hot dogs are "skinless," which simply means that they do not have any type of casing. Enthusiasts claim that the natural casing is what gives hot dogs their "bite," but as they say, "to each his own."

There is a movie made by Railroad Track Films titled "Footlong." The film is about, what else, hot dogs! The website, although outdated, has a page with some very unusual recipes using hot dogs. If you are game, here is their recipe for "Martini Dogs:"

Ingredients:
Approximately 30 large pimiento-stuffed olives
3 hot dogs
1 3-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 or 2 drops of Tabasco
Instructions:
1. Cut olives in half lengthwise. Remove the pimiento stuffing and put into a mixing bowl.
2. Add hot dogs.
3. Chop hot dogs and pimiento until coarse.
4. Add cream cheese to the dogs and pimiento and mix. Add Tabasco. Stir until combined.
5. Fill olive halves with mixture and fasten with cocktail picks.
6. Chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
Makes 6 servings.
*Recipe per www.railroadtrackfilms.com

Whatever style and topping(s) you prefer; hot dogs make a tasty change of pace in daily menus. They certainly have earned a place in backyard barbeques and summer holidays.

Sources:
National Hot Dog & Sausage Council URL: www.hot-dog.org Accessed July 3, 2007

Ed Levine, New York Times, "It's All in How the Dog Is Served" URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/25/dining/25dogs.html?ex=1274673600&en=9a9edf7f48264d58&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss Accessed July 3, 2007

Railroad Track Films URL: http://www.railroadtrackfilms.com/recipes.html Accessed July 3, 2007