July 23rd is National Hot Dog Day!
Although hot dogs in their original “frankfurter” form date back to 13th century Germany, they have been a popular part of American culture since German immigrant Charles Feltman began selling them on Coney Island, New York, around 1870.
The name “hot dog” has a somewhat shady history. Sausage makers in times gone by would often be accused of using dog meat in their sausages; and the accusation was not always without merit! The term “hot dog” was, thus, quite a literal tongue-in-cheek description.
We’ve come a long way since then with our delicious sausage-on-a-bun treat, and hot dogs have now evolved so much that from state to state, city to city, regions proudly boast their own style and method for making the perfect dog. From gourmet hot-dog-specific restaurants, to baseball-stadium-wandering vendors, to supermarket freezers, to portable street carts, you don’t have to look very far to find a dog in urban America in the 21st century.
July 23 is the day we salute our not-so-humble hot dog, and wherever we are in the United States, enjoy everything it has to offer. Whether you like your dog with sauerkraut, onions, bacon, extra cheese, chili, mustard, ketchup, pickles, peppers, or all of the above, take the time today to indulge in a delicious hot dog and pay tribute to its mouth-watering deliciousness. Happy National Hot Dog Day!
