How the hot dog became America's favorite sausage
Frankfurters, a beef-and-pork link brought stateside by German immigrants, went viral in the 1860s, nearly four centuries after they were invented in the old country. By 1939, hot dogs were so American that the White House served them to the king and queen of England on a picnic with the Roosevelts, bolstering the U.S.-British alliance on the verge of World War II. 'Hot dog diplomacy' became a soft-power staple, fueling relations with the former Soviet Union, Middle East and Europe.
The USDA requires that hot dogs — like bologna — contain this minimum majority of meat, often trimmings and scraps. Fat is capped at 30%, water at 10% and 'binders and extenders' like milk or cereal at 3.5%. It's all ground into a paste with salt, sugar and spices like nutmeg, paprika and coriander, cured with nitrites and smushed into casings — tubes made from sheep intestines, beef collagen or cellulose. Most are sold 'skinless,' the casing removed after cooking.
The average American eats nearly six hot dogs each month. That's 20 billion nationwide each year, per the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, or at least 2 billion pounds' worth — more than 3,500 times the weight of the Statue of Liberty. By city, Los Angeles eats the most, but New York, Dallas, Chicago and Boston are not too far behind.
We are not the same. New Yorkers favor sauerkraut and brown mustard. Chicago dogs come in a poppy seed bun with relish, veggies and celery salt. Other folks may add chili or fish cakes. Beef franks rule the East Coast; the West Coast leans into poultry. Americans don't distinguish between hot dogs and the stubby, beef-and-pork frankfurter or its longer, more slender relative, Vienna's 'wiener.' Industrial cheese-injected wieners are also hot dogs; but Polish dogs are not.
That's the size of a Wienermobile, Oscar Mayer's 89-year-old marketing gimmick. Six such hot dog-shaped vehicles traverse the nation's highways with 12 drivers, less than 1 percent of all applicants for this coveted position. Costco, the membership wholesaler, continues another venerable campaign, selling 100 million hot dog and soda combos each year for just $1.50 each — the same price despite 40 years of inflation, at the co-founder's personal insistence.
That's how fast dogs shoot from the notorious hot dog cannon, wielded by the 'Phillie Phanatic' at Philadelphia Phillies baseball games. At least four other pro sports teams have adopted the beloved contraption since its 1996 debut. Hot dogs have been sold at sports stadiums since the 1800s. Today, fans consume about 8,000 dogs at every Major League Baseball game, amounting to 20 million wieners across a six-month season.
Competitive eater Joey Chestnut set this record at the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2021, downing almost 17 pounds of beef — like swallowing 44 billiard balls. Since 1972, contest champs have eaten more than 1,509 franks. One hot dog can shave 36 minutes off a person's healthy lifespan. High sodium can cause cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, while nitrates and nitrites have been linked to breast and prostate cancer.
'I love hot dogs. I love 'em in buns. I love them outside of buns. I love them with baked beans. I just like hot dogs. ... May there be many, many more hot dogs served in our wonderful land.' — Mitt Romney on National Hot Dog Day, July 19, 2023
This story appears in the July/August 2025 issue of DeseretMagazine. Learn more about how to subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
3 hours ago
- Washington Post
The future of Vogue Magazine
Already a subscriber? Sign in JULY FOURTH SALE Stars, stripes and savings Get your first year of The Post for just 50¢ a week. You can cancel anytime.
Washington Post
3 hours ago
- Washington Post
Whose ‘utmost, sincere convictions' matter to the Supreme Court?
On the day before this week's Independence Day celebrations on July Fourth, I observed the 64th anniversary of the day I solemnly declared my dependence on my wife, Gwen. It was a private wedding in the presence of family and a few friends. Without fanfare, just as Thursday evening's quiet dinner with just the two of us was.
Fox News
4 hours ago
- Fox News
Want to eat like the Founding Fathers this July 4th? How to incorporate their favorite foods into your holiday
Grilling hot dogs and hamburgers on the Fourth of July holiday is the epitome of eating like an American — but have you ever wondered how to eat like a Founding Father? In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Michael Politz, founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, revealed the Founders' favorite dishes – and how to incorporate them into your Independence Day feast. George Washington's favorite foods included hoecakes, cherries and fish, along with hazelnuts, hickory nuts and walnuts, Politz said. To indulge, the American Cincinnatus enjoyed Madeira wine. "Washington preferred simple, hearty meals, often featuring local fish from his own fisheries, plantation-grown fruits and vegetables," Politz shared. "He was especially fond of hoecakes – soft, cornmeal griddle cakes – eaten daily for breakfast with butter and honey, partly due to his dental issues." Another Virginian, Thomas Jefferson, enjoyed such favorite foods as peas, fresh vegetables and French cuisine in general. "Jefferson was a passionate gardener, growing over 250 types of produce at Monticello," Politz noted. "He often used meat 'as a condiment to the vegetables which constitute my principal diet.'" "Rumor has it Ben Franklin had a soft spot for turtle soup, a Philadelphia staple of the era." "Jefferson is credited with popularizing macaroni and cheese, french fries and ice cream in America." Farther north in Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin's favorite foods included oysters, turkey, cranberries, almonds and Indian corn. The Boston-born Philadelphian also had a bit of a sweet tooth, enjoying apple tarts and maple syrup. Politz described Franklin as an early "locavore," which refers to a person who only eats food grown in a local area. "He advocated for Native American foods and introducing new ingredients like rhubarb and kale to the colonies," the history buff said. "He even published a recipe for tofu in 1770 and helped popularize potatoes while in France." "And rumor has it Ben Franklin had a soft spot for turtle soup, a Philadelphia staple of the era," Politz added. As a born-and-bred New England resident, John Adams drank hard cider daily and enjoyed apple pandowdy, a cobber-like dessert, along with Indian pudding. He also feasted on New England boiled dinners, which were primarily made with corned beef with root vegetables. "Adams' diet reflected New England's apple-rich agriculture and cold climate, favoring root vegetables and preserved meats," Politz said. "His wife Abigail made apple pandowdy, a rustic favorite." All of their geographies contributed to their palates. In the Mid-Atlantic, Washington and Jefferson enjoyed abundant access to fish and shellfish while also having extensive gardens and orchards, Politz said. "Recreating these historic dishes isn't just a culinary exercise – it's a way to connect with the roots of American hospitality and storytelling." In New England, Politz said, the cold climate "favored root vegetables, apples and preserved meats. Dishes like boiled dinners and apple desserts reflected the region's agricultural realities." Politz has modernized some colonial classics to fit the kitchen of just about anyone. But, he said, many Americans are eating like the Founding Fathers on Independence Day by default. For example, Thomas Jefferson enjoyed creamy baked macaroni and cheese. Jefferson and Washington also devoured ice cream, Politz said. "Jefferson wrote the first American [ice cream] recipe and Washington spent a fortune on it," the hospitality expert said. "[Hosts can] offer classic vanilla or experiment with period flavors." But Politz noted that the recipes aren't only an opportunity to impress house guests but a way to appreciate American heritage. "Recreating these historic dishes isn't just a culinary exercise – it's a way to connect with the roots of American hospitality and storytelling," Politz said. "These recipes offer opportunities for menu innovation, seasonal specials and educational dining experiences that resonate with guests seeking authenticity and a sense of history." This recipe is a "simple, gluten-free cornmeal pancake," according to Politz. He said to serve it with butter and honey for a historic breakfast or brunch item. 2 cups cornmeal 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar Boiling water (enough to make a thick batter) Butter or lard for frying Honey or syrup for serving 1. Mix cornmeal, salt and sugar in a bowl. 2. Add boiling water gradually, stirring, until you have a thick batter. 3. Heat butter or lard in a skillet or griddle. 4. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto the hot surface; flatten slightly. 5. Fry until golden on both sides. 6. Serve hot, drizzled with honey or syrup. Politz described a pandowdy as a "rustic apple dessert, ideal for fall menus or as a farm-to-table special." 8 medium baking apples (e.g., Granny Smith), peeled and cut into chunks ½ cup maple syrup ¾ cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon lemon juice + 2 teaspoons for apples 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ginger ¼ tsp salt ½ cup butter, cubed 2 pie crusts (store-bought or homemade) 2 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons sugar + ½ teaspoon cinnamon for topping ½ cup maple syrup (for finishing) 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Toss peeled, chopped apples with 2 teaspoons lemon juice. 3. In a large bowl, mix maple syrup, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Add apples and coat well. 4. Line a baking dish with one pie crust, pressing up the sides. 5. Pour in apple mixture; dot with butter. 6. Top with second crust; tuck edges in. Cut vents in the top. 7. Brush with milk; sprinkle with cinnamon + sugar. 8. Bake 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbly. 9. Remove from oven, break the crust into pieces and gently press into the apples. 10. Drizzle with ½ cup maple syrup and let sit 30 minutes before serving. 11. Serve warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. The Founding Fathers, along with most early Americans, enjoyed a sauce called mushroom catchup, a precursor to modern ketchup, Politz said. The shelf-stable sauce was considered a pantry essential in colonial times. It dates back to 17th century British and Chinese sauces. "This dark, earthy and intensely flavorful sauce was prized for its ability to add depth and complexity to meats, stews and vegetables, much like Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce today," Politz said. 2 pounds fresh mushrooms (brown or white) A couple spoonfuls of salt 2 bay leaves 1 chopped onion Zest of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon finely grated horseradish ¼ teaspoon cloves Pinch of cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon allspice ½ cup apple cider vinegar 1. Chop mushrooms and mix with salt and bay leaves. Let sit overnight to draw out the juices. 2. Add onion, lemon zest, horseradish, cloves, cayenne, allspice and vinegar. 3. Cook the mixture for 15–20 minutes. 4. Cool, then strain through cheesecloth, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. 5. Save the solids as a seasoning; bottle the liquid catchup for use as a condiment. These recipes are owned by Michael Politz and were shared with Fox News Digital.
