
FOX News flubs on critical issue … the hot dog

Call it fake news … propaganda … or whatever … but FOX News’ Charlie Kirk made an egregious statement about an iconic American food – the hot dog. It was not National Hot Dog Day – which is the third Wednesday in July – but “Fox and Friends” featured a segment on the popular wiener.
As a person who analyzes news and shares my opinions, I well understand that opinions can vary. But some things one can express with a high degree of certainty – and hot dogs is one of them.
I love hot dogs – have as long as I can recall. I eat them several times a month. I consider them nature’s most perfect food – next to classic thin crust, square-cut Chicago pizza. (To tell the truth, there are very few offerings in the food chain I dislike, but hot dogs and pizza top the list of favorites).
So, what did Kirk do to raise my ire? During an outdoor segment of “Fox and Friends” Kirk said he likes a traditional hot dog WITH KETCHUP. I am a very tolerant person. I understand that some folks may enjoy a variety of ways to eat their hot dogs. After all, it is a free country. But Kirk said “traditional.” Whoa! While I have enjoyed a variety of hot dogs – never a bad one (except those anemic things they call hot dogs in Rochester, New York and one I painfully consumed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina), there is only one traditional hot dog.
There are many good hot dog varieties, but there is only one state-of-the-art wiener. Only one that can be called “traditional”. It is commonly known as “the Chicago dog” – and the ingredients and preparation are very specific. It starts with Vienna brand all beef hot dog on a Rosen poppyseed bun (steamed) … yellow mustard … Kelly green relish … chopped onions … two sports peppers … slices of tomato … a dill pickle spear … and a sprinkling of celery salt. (As seen in the photo above).
The preparation of the Chicago dog is so precise that one need not order by individual condiments. You just say, “Chicago dog” or “Chicago style” wherever good dogs are served.
There can be some minor accommodations to personal preferences – such as dark green relish or regular table salt. It is okay to substitute an Oscar Mayer dog or even a Nathan’s dog when a pure beef Vienna Wiener is not available. Regardless, one never adulterates the dog with ketchup.
In Chicago, the ketchup ban is serious business. I grew up with hot dogs from Jimmy’s – one of the Windy City’s more famous hot dog emporiums. It is basically a triangular shack with no seating – but long lines of hungry customers.
On the walls are signs stating that the owner will not put ketchup on a hot dog. Symbolically, there are images of ketchup bottles with the red circle and slash.
I recall a time when those who requested ketchup were handed packets of the red condiment and told by the owner not to put it on the hot dog while still on his property. (You can see how serious Chicago is at protecting the perfection of its signature dog).
Jimmy’s dogs also came with a small bag of large floppy greasy fries – heavily salted. (I know, I know. Pure poison. But so much better than those hollow Styrofoam things you get at today’s fast food outlets.)
Getting the classic Chicago hot dog is not easy where I live in south Florida. A Chicago friend and I have to drive more than12 miles to dine at the only place in the region that serves the classic Chicago dog – but it’s worth it.
As far as Charlie Kirk is concerned, I am a very forgiving person. And I will pray for his enlightenment. And bon appétit to all you serious hot dog lovers.
So, there ‘tis.
Freeze this moment Larry, and think about it when you write your next hit piece. You just complimented the Chicago hot dog and since all things Chicago, you say, are about the Democrats and Democrat control destroying the very core of America —– and therefore, by jingo’s, that’s got to include the hot dog, the pride of the proletariat, the food for the egalitarian, the best from the Democrats :>)
OK, enough poking, joking, and prodding, great piece, and I agree, Chicago is the hot dog capital of the world. How they like it must be right. And I’ve got Nathans and Coney Island in my back yard and still say that.
But Pizza — not even close. Come East where Pizza rules. Not to mention the famous Tomato Pie, best South of Trenton. My fav is the Star Tavern, far Northern edge of Orange (they have to say North because of fear of East Orange….where I was born), there for over 75 years and always rated in top 5 in Jersey.
Back to the dog. Amazingly we have our stand, been there since just after WWII when the creator came marching home, opened the first one in what looks like an outhouse, and today it’s a neon-festooned stand next to the river replete with pic-a-nic tables, swing sets and a playground for the kids, and hanging flowers everywhere. It has supported generations of his family since then. Mary grew up there, is one tough lady, and serves a peanut-oil fried dog like no other. Yes, mustard, stinky-est onions ever, a dill pickle slap, and that’s it. No ketchup, no relish. And no menu. When someone asks what’s on it, Patty’s glare could freeze them. When they ask for ketchup, I step back. The proper way is to say x dogs, regular. However, if you are really cool like me, you can say x Route 80 dogs. Route 80 dogs, named for that heathen superhighway that almost ended the business, add relish and ketchup. Plus, when you do it, and she smiles that smile of “I know you and you know me,” everyone around you goes “ooooooh, Route 80 dogs, ooooooh, what are they.” I never tell. It’s the code. No menu so no one knows except those in the know. Best fries in NJ. Big, no spray starch, and so bloody hot they can cause a three-alarm fire if you don’t wait. Oh my, in the fall or winter, nothing warms like them.
So, an attempt at a Chicago dog copy and I would not have it any oither way. It’s been awhile, but my favorites come from Buffalo where Polish butchers turned out natural casing dogs with real snap to them. Casings spilt, oil shoots out, some fire if on the grill, but a real snap as you munch away. And yes, ketchup rarely as Chicago dogs rule, IMO. So I guess I need to ask that given I went for the steaks, ribs, and fish, when in Chicago —– do those dogs SNAP when you bite them? Natural casings?
Frank Danger … I love the snap. That is how they all were when I was young. I think you can still order natural casing all beef dogs from the Vienna company in Chicago. I had some shipped in awhile back.
Oh, i can get them in NJ, but the ones from Buffalo were really good. I will keep Vienna in mind.
You never responded about your new local favorite: stone crab claws —– the sustainable meat…… I have been doing it annually for a few years, two years ago got the Florida Cracker, a superior cracker that have saved me from slashes. The Stone Crabs are really tough. Great people in the shops too, incredible service and support. Expensive, but what a treat.