Not only is July National Culinary Arts and Grilling month, it's also National Hot Dog month and what better to cook on the grill than a hot dog, right?
According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans will be consuming the infamous dogs in record numbers this summer.
The Council estimates that over seven billion hot dogs will be eaten by Americans between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During the July 4th weekend alone, 155 million will be downed. Every year, Americans eat an average of 60 hot dogs each. | |
For more hot dog trivia, statistics or information, visit the Council's website at www.hot-dog.org. Bon appétit.
How did the hot dog get its name?
The term "hot dog" is credited to sports cartoonist Tad Dorgan. At a 1901 baseball game at the Polo Grounds in New York, vendors began selling hot dachsund sausages in rolls. From the press box, Dorgan could hear the vendors yelling, "Get your dachshund sausages while they're red hot!" He sketched a cartoon depicting the scene but wasn't sure how to spell "dachshund" so he called them simply, "hot dogs." And the rest is history. What is the most popular condiment for a hot dog?
Council research shows that for adults, mustard is the condiment of choice, while children prefer ketchup. Preferences do change from region to region. For instance, hot dogs in New York are generally served with a lighter mustard and steamed onions, while Chicago hot dogs can come with mustard, relish, onions, tomato slices, or pretty much anything at all. | |
Do I spread my condiment on the meat or on the bread?
Always dress the dog and not the bun. The Council recommends the following order for condiment application: first wet (mustard for example), then chunky (relish or onions), then cheese if desired, then any spices.
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