Introduction
Hot dogs are considered an American food icon. The image of baseball games and backyard barbecues just wouldn’t be complete without hot dogs. From their start as a German street food to their rise in popularity in the U.S., hot dogs have become ingrained in American culture.
History of the Hot Dog
The history of the hot dog traces back to late 18th century Germany, where small pork sausages called “dachshund sausages” were served and eventually brought to America by German immigrants (https://www.hot-dog.org/culture/hot-dog-history). These immigrants sold the sausages in carts on the streets of New York City in the 1860s. The sausages were later known as “hot dogs” possibly because of their canine-like shape and the fact they were sold hot from the carts. There are various theories on the origins of the “hot dog” name. One suggests it came from the cart vendors joking the sausages were made from dog meat, another links it to a newspaper cartoon of dachshund dogs being served hot dogs. The term “hot dog” became widespread starting in the early 1900s and over time, hot dogs evolved from German sausages into the American staple they are today (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dog).
Hot Dog’s German Roots
The history of the hot dog can be traced back to German immigrants in the 1800s. As noted by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, “hot dogs can be traced to German immigrants in the 1800s. German immigrants brought not only the sausage with them in the late 1800s, but also dachshund dogs” (https://www.hot-dog.org/culture/hot-dog-history). The sausage that became the hot dog was known as the “frankfurter” or “frank” – named after the city of Frankfurt, Germany. These types of sausages originated from the German city of Frankfurt and were packed in a skin. When German immigrants came to America, they brought this style of sausage with them. The name “hot dog” is believed to have emerged in the late 1800s, possibly due to the sausage’s resemblance to the short, plump dachshund breed of dog. While the exact origins are disputed, the influences of German immigrants on the creation of the modern hot dog is undeniable.
Hot Dogs in American Culture
Hot dogs became ingrained in American culture, especially at iconic events like baseball games and Fourth of July celebrations. The origins of eating hot dogs at baseball games can be traced back to the late 1800s and early 1900s at places like the Polo Grounds in New York City. Vendors sold hot dogs at the ballparks, and fans found them to be convenient, tasty, and affordable. Hot dogs remain a staple food at Major League Baseball stadiums today. On Independence Day, hot dogs emerged as a popular food for Fourth of July cookouts and barbecues. The summertime holiday just wouldn’t feel complete without grilling up hot dogs. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans typically consume about 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July alone.
Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/hot-dogs-are-us-68009224/
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/hot-dog-classic-american-summer-food/index.html
Regional Hot Dog Styles
There are many distinct regional variations of hot dogs in the United States. Two of the most famous are the Chicago-style hot dog and the New York-style hot dog.
The Chicago-style hot dog has a natural casing all beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun, topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, tomatoes, a dill pickle spear, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt. According to Regional Hot Dogs | NHDSC, this style was first served at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
The New York-style hot dog has a natural casing all-beef hot dog on a steamed bun. According to 15 Regional Hot Dog Styles in America, common toppings include sauerkraut, onions in a tomato sauce, mustard and ketchup. The hot dog cart is an iconic part of the New York City street scene.
Hot Dog Eating Contests
The most famous hot dog eating contest is the annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest held on July 4th at their original location in Coney Island, Brooklyn. According to their website, “The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest has become the world’s most famous and iconic food eating competition” (https://nathansfranks.sfdbrands.com/en-us/promotions/hot-dog-eating-contest/).
The contest originated in 1916 and has occurred each year since then, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants compete to eat the most hot dogs and buns within 10 minutes. According to Wikipedia, the current men’s record holder is Joey Chestnut with 76 hot dogs and buns eaten in 10 minutes. He has won 15 of the last 16 contests (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan%27s_Hot_Dog_Eating_Contest).
Hot Dog Statistics
Hot dogs are one of the most popular foods in America. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC), Americans consume over 20 billion hot dogs per year, which equates to about 70 hot dogs per person. https://www.hot-dog.org/culture/hot-dog-fast-facts The NHDSC estimates that retail sales of hot dogs account for over $2.5 billion annually. https://www.hot-dog.org/media/consumption-stats
Major league baseball stadiums are big hot dog consumers, selling around 19.4 million hot dogs per year according to a NHDSC survey. Hot dogs are such an iconic baseball food that the average American is likely to eat around 3 hot dogs per person at baseball games in any year.
The most popular brands of hot dogs are classic American brands like Hebrew National, Nathan’s Famous, Oscar Mayer, and Ball Park. Oscar Mayer leads overall hot dog brand sales, accounting for close to 20% of all hot dogs sold at retail. Regional brands like Kayem and Hoffmann also have devoted followings in their local markets.
Consumption of hot dogs and similar processed meats does fluctuate year to year, but has remained relatively stable over the past decade. According to Statista, around 255 million Americans consumed hot dogs in 2020, a figure projected to rise to 261 million by 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/282293/us-households-consumption-of-frankfurters-and-hot-dogs-trend/ While health concerns have impacted lunchmeat consumption, hot dogs remain a popular meal and snack choice for many Americans.
Hot Dog Health Concerns
While hot dogs may be an iconic American food, they are not necessarily the healthiest option. Hot dogs, and processed meats in general, have been linked to some health concerns.
One of the biggest concerns with hot dogs is their high sodium content. According to the USDA, a typical beef hot dog contains over 500mg of sodium, which accounts for over 20% of the recommended daily intake (https://www.pcrm.org/news/blog/hot-dogs-are-hazardous-your-health). High sodium intake is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
Many hot dogs also contain nitrates and nitrites to preserve color and extend shelf life. However, there are concerns that nitrates and nitrites found in processed meats may be linked to cancer. Studies show that people who eat the most processed meat have a higher risk of colorectal cancer (https://time.com/4864917/hot-dog-body-effect/).
The high fat and cholesterol content in some hot dogs is another health concern, as this may increase heart disease risk. Additionally, hot dogs are highly processed which means they have less nutritional value than unprocessed meats.
Moderation is key when enjoying hot dogs. Limit intake to occasional treats, stick to low sodium options, and balance with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Hot Dogs Around the World
Hot dogs are enjoyed all over the world, but they often go by different names and come in different styles depending on the region. In the Netherlands, hot dogs are known as “broodje bakpao” and are often served in a bread roll with fried onions and peanut sauce on top. In Australia, you’ll find hot dogs topped with cheese, beetroot, fried eggs, pineapple, shrimp and more. In Chile, hot dogs are served on thicker buns and come loaded with avocado, sauerkraut, tomatoes, mayonnaise and even mashed potatoes.
Some of the more unique global hot dog varieties include Denmark’s red dyed hot dogs served in a wrap with remoulade, cucumber salad and crispy fried onions. Argentina’s popular “panchos” are served on chewy buns and topped with chimichurri sauce, peppers and tomatoes. Korea’s garlic and kimchi loaded “corn dogs” are famous street food fare dipped in a light tempura batter before frying. No matter where you travel, hot dogs have become a staple hand-held meal adapted to local tastes and twists.
Conclusion
While hot dogs originated in Germany, they have become an American food icon through evolution. As German immigrants brought sausages to America in the 1800s, the humble hot dog went through transformations to become a staple of American culture.
Hot dogs became popular street food in New York City in the late 1800s, giving birth to the American hot dog. Regional hot dog styles then emerged, adapting the German sausage to local tastes across America. Hot dogs became ingrained in American traditions like summer barbecues, ballgames, and state fairs.
Although the hot dog has German roots, its growth into an American food was an evolution process. The unique regional hot dog styles, prominence in American cookouts and sports culture, and role as an American snack food icon confirm the hot dog’s status today as a classic American dish.