Hot Dogs -- The Great Debate I Never Knew About

Barbecue sauce and a little hot sauce, that's what belongs on a hot dog. If you like, you can also mix in ketchup and mustard. They're both good, but only belong on the thing once the barbecue sauce is applied.

Heh. This was such an epic thread.

Coincidentally, I just finished reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential again today, and in the P.S. section of the paperback he makes the following statement: "...And if you ever put ketchup on a hotdog I will f*cking kill you."

Minarchist wrote:

Heh. This was such an epic thread.

Coincidentally, I just finished reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential again today, and in the P.S. section of the paperback he makes the following statement: "...And if you ever put ketchup on a hotdog I will f*cking kill you."

It's funny that people like him make it out to be this big deal about putting ketchup on hot dogs being a culinary sin of the ignorant, yet a country like Germany--don't think anyone would question their taste for either mustard or sausage--does roughly that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currywurst

I'm open to pretty much every kind of hot dog; my favorite is probably a tossup between Walter's in Mamaroneck, NY (split, butter grilled, served with mustard relish) and Rutt's Hut in New Jersey - great fried hotdogs.

CheezePavilion wrote:
Minarchist wrote:

Heh. This was such an epic thread.

Coincidentally, I just finished reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential again today, and in the P.S. section of the paperback he makes the following statement: "...And if you ever put ketchup on a hotdog I will f*cking kill you."

It's funny that people like him make it out to be this big deal about putting ketchup on hot dogs being a culinary sin of the ignorant, yet a country like Germany--don't think anyone would question their taste for either mustard or sausage--does roughly that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currywurst

True, but he's a New Yorker, and NYC folk have their own ideas about hot dogs. I don't think they serve "dirty water dogs" in Germany...do they?

Minarchist wrote:
CheezePavilion wrote:
Minarchist wrote:

Heh. This was such an epic thread.

Coincidentally, I just finished reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential again today, and in the P.S. section of the paperback he makes the following statement: "...And if you ever put ketchup on a hotdog I will f*cking kill you."

It's funny that people like him make it out to be this big deal about putting ketchup on hot dogs being a culinary sin of the ignorant, yet a country like Germany--don't think anyone would question their taste for either mustard or sausage--does roughly that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currywurst

True, but he's a New Yorker, and NYC folk have their own ideas about hot dogs. I don't think they serve "dirty water dogs" in Germany...do they?

He's originally from Jersey: he should be into deep fried hot dogs, going by his terroir.

They even made him go back to Jersey at least one time for his show. It was a good one.

A hot dog is like a blank canvas, it sits with potential, awaiting the touch of a culinary artist to bring it to life.

I generally put whatever is in the fridge on my hotdog, but I'm partial to 'ketchup' and atchar.

I just had two hotdogs with Dave's Ultimate Insanity Sauce on them. My lips are burning.

Ohh. That sounds so good. :X

Dammit. There go my dinner plans.

Minarchist wrote:

Heh. This was such an epic thread.

Coincidentally, I just finished reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential again today, and in the P.S. section of the paperback he makes the following statement: "...And if you ever put ketchup on a hotdog I will f*cking kill you."

Further proof that Anthony Bourdain is full of sh*t. Either that or he's way behind in his mass murder plans.

Captain_Arrrg wrote:
Minarchist wrote:

Heh. This was such an epic thread.

Coincidentally, I just finished reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential again today, and in the P.S. section of the paperback he makes the following statement: "...And if you ever put ketchup on a hotdog I will f*cking kill you."

Further proof that Anthony Bourdain is full of sh*t. Either that or he's way behind in his mass murder plans.

I take anything that chimney says about flavor with a grain of salt. I've never understood why so many chefs, a profession that benefits from a good taste sense, chain smoke.

iaintgotnopants wrote:
Captain_Arrrg wrote:
Minarchist wrote:

Heh. This was such an epic thread.

Coincidentally, I just finished reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential again today, and in the P.S. section of the paperback he makes the following statement: "...And if you ever put ketchup on a hotdog I will f*cking kill you."

Further proof that Anthony Bourdain is full of sh*t. Either that or he's way behind in his mass murder plans.

I take anything that chimney says about flavor with a grain of salt. I've never understood why so many chefs, a profession that benefits from a good taste sense, chain smoke.

My wife and I have often had that same discussion. I've not ever smoked cigarettes, but I've had quite a few cigars and your tastebuds are shot for about 12 hours aftera smoke. Still, he's an entertaining read.

Minarchist wrote:

My wife and I have often had that same discussion. I've not ever smoked cigarettes, but I've had quite a few cigars and your tastebuds are shot for about 12 hours aftera smoke. Still, he's an entertaining read.

Increased sharpness to my palate was one of the bigger consolation prizes I got when I quit smoking. There's a whole level of nuance in beer now that I just didn't catch before.

It also means that some of the "big" beers (triple IPAs, imperial stouts, strong sour ales) are a lot more brash and assertive to me than they used to be.

Whenever I read this thread I crave a frickin' hot dog! I used to live not to far from this gourmet hot dog place in Bellows Falls, VT. Man they were so, so good and they had around a dozen different mustards to adorn your dog. Personally, I'm usually ketchup, mustard, relish, and onions on my dog. Though I love chili, I've never had any desire to put it on a hot dog.

chili on a hot dog is comparable to the knees of a bee, or the pajamas of a cat.

...and now I'm off to Yesterdog. This thread is a bad influence.

Yeah, after my last comment I made myself a few hot dogs as I'd said I like them. Ketchup and Atchar. They were just as good as I hoped.

Oops - wrong thread... uhhh...

Here's a great site with reviews of hot dog joints in the Northeast:
http://www.hollyeats.com

I still think you're ruggedly handsome, Tanglebones.

Seth wrote:

I still think you're ruggedly handsome, Tanglebones.

Aww, thanks.. my wife says I do remind her of Hooch

(see Name that Movie thread for context)

The best hotdogs are in Reykjavik! I just got back from a vacation there and they have a type of hot dog called Pyslur, when you go to Bæjarins beztu pylsur stand he has a lovely crunchy onion, followed by the hot dog and then sweet mustard. I have never downed so many hot dogs in my life!

If you are ever in Iceland, the first thing you should do is head straight to Bæjarins beztu pylsur for the best hot dog in Europe! I am currently tracking down where I can get the same mustard in the States, that and whale meat. I would kill for some more whale meat.

CheezePavilion wrote:
Minarchist wrote:

Heh. This was such an epic thread.

Coincidentally, I just finished reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential again today, and in the P.S. section of the paperback he makes the following statement: "...And if you ever put ketchup on a hotdog I will f*cking kill you."

It's funny that people like him make it out to be this big deal about putting ketchup on hot dogs being a culinary sin of the ignorant, yet a country like Germany--don't think anyone would question their taste for either mustard or sausage--does roughly that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currywurst

You can NOT compare a Hotdog to a Currywurst. It's two totally different concepts. First off, it's a completely different kinds of sausage. Hotdogs fall into the Wiener or Bockwurst category, while Currywurst is more of a Bratwurst kind of sausage. Next up is the preparation: the former two get cooked, while the latter is grilled. And although the sauce is basically warm ketchup, this curry-based spice mix changes the flavor completely. If any of you ever make it to Germany, I'll be glad to show you one or two good places to get a divine Currywurst. My treat of course.

Sadly, we only get franchised and really bad Hotdogs in Germany. Even IKEA offers dirty cheap one-buck Hotdogs over here. They are horrible, so it doesn't matter what you put on them.
Consequently, one of my first missions upon setting foot on American soil the next time will be finding a kickass Hotdog place. Since it is the most probable destination: any recommendations for the Bay Area?

I've got nothing for the Bay Area, luggage, but I can help you if you ever hit New York. We also have a great Currywurst joint, Hallo Berlin. Unfortunately, the proprietor died a year or so ago, but I think the restaurant is still active.

Here's a photo I took of one a couple of years ago:
IMAGE(http://imgur.com/kATBn.jpg)

We've got a great hot dog spot here in Vancouver right outside the Future Shop on Broadway: grilled dogs, on fresh and heated up buns with every possible condiment you could want.

This cart has won awards for serving up the best street meat in Vancouver.

Kepheus and I nearly always get one to console ourselves after visiting Future Shop because of their crap game selection that caters mostly to 10 year old girls.

Luggage wrote:
CheezePavilion wrote:
Minarchist wrote:

Heh. This was such an epic thread.

Coincidentally, I just finished reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential again today, and in the P.S. section of the paperback he makes the following statement: "...And if you ever put ketchup on a hotdog I will f*cking kill you."

It's funny that people like him make it out to be this big deal about putting ketchup on hot dogs being a culinary sin of the ignorant, yet a country like Germany--don't think anyone would question their taste for either mustard or sausage--does roughly that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currywurst

You can NOT compare a Hotdog to a Currywurst.

Even roughly? ;-D

It's two totally different concepts. First off, it's a completely different kinds of sausage. Hotdogs fall into the Wiener or Bockwurst category, while Currywurst is more of a Bratwurst kind of sausage.

How is the difference in those concepts relevant for purposes of the Great Ketchup Debate though?

Next up is the preparation: the former two get cooked, while the latter is grilled.

Um, plenty of people grill hot dogs. Some even deep fry them.

And although the sauce is basically warm ketchup, this curry-based spice mix changes the flavor completely.

Look back through the thread--the argument against ketchup was about added sugar dulling the flavors, not about the flavor of the ketchup being culinary insufficient.

If any of you ever make it to Germany, I'll be glad to show you one or two good places to get a divine Currywurst. My treat of course.

Heh--thanks. Luckily I've got a local German butcher that stocks curry ketchup in the meantime.

Consequently, one of my first missions upon setting foot on American soil the next time will be finding a kickass Hotdog place. Since it is the most probable destination: any recommendations for the Bay Area?

This:

IMAGE(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Md-FuIMNisA/SWyjf4TCEdI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/_ekTx1XVMpE/s320/Sabrett%27s+Prepared+Onions.jpg)

mixed with finely ground chili is *awesome* especially for someone who also thinks the whole 'putting sugary sauces on hot dogs is unacceptable' idea to be a load of bunk.

Luggage: Go to Gorilla Pete's in North Beach.

And I want to ask, now that I live in Chicago:

Why such hate for ketchup on a regular old Oscar Meyer-type hot dog? The wife and I ate at Jimmy's Red Hots yesterday, and while their dots and Polish Sausages were delicious, they had at least 3 signs reading "NO KETCHUP!". I assumed the Red Hot was going to be some special dog, but really it was a basic "lips & ass" tube with a jalapeno, onions and mustard on it. Nothing special, not even very hot. Tasty, but not groundbreaking. I can understand no ketchup on a gourmet dog or a wurst, but why not on something that's not much different from what you could get at Wienerschnitzel?

WipEout wrote:

Why such hate for ketchup on a regular old Oscar Meyer-type hot dog?

Scroll down and click on the link that says "first page". Then read.

There's no understanding the hot dog snobs; only pitying them.

Quintin_Stone wrote:
WipEout wrote:

Why such hate for ketchup on a regular old Oscar Meyer-type hot dog?

Scroll down and click on the link that says "first page". Then read.

There's no understanding the hot dog snobs; only pitying them.

Yeah it's all about preference, and there are a million other (arguably better) things that could go on a hot dog out there, blah blah blah.

I guess I should have been more specific in my question-- why so much hate for a ketchup on a basic cheap-o hot dog here in Chicago? Like I said, I understand leaving it off a really nice Vienna Beef dog or bratwurst, but the looks one can get around here just for putting ketchup on a $.99 hot dog baffles me. I guess I just feel like there's such hate for it, there should be something written in Chicago's history books, like a Chicago Ketchup Party where locals threw the limey Brits' ketchup packets into Lake Michigan or something.

Quintin_Stone wrote:
WipEout wrote:

Why such hate for ketchup on a regular old Oscar Meyer-type hot dog?

Scroll down and click on the link that says "first page". Then read.

There's no understanding the hot dog snobs; only pitying them.

I only skimmed the thread, but did relish come up? It seems like the big deal was "on noes, the shuggah!" which...yeah what about relish?

Dare I mention the Octodog?

WipEout wrote:

I guess I should have been more specific in my question-- why so much hate for a ketchup on a basic cheap-o hot dog here in Chicago?

Chicago is kinda full of dicks, you know.

Not sure if anyone mentioned this one either, but it deserves more than one plug anyway:

The Oki Dog. NOT Oki's Dog, either-- that's a cheap imitation. The Oki Dog.

IMAGE(http://http.cdnlayer.com/smoola/00/00/bd/808680a28990baee_m.jpg)

If you're ever in Los Angeles, go to 860 North Fairfax Avenue. Thank me after you're able to leave the restroom.