Hot dogs are a quintessential American food, beloved by children and adults. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans eat almost 7 billion hot dogs - all beef, pork, chicken turkey or even veggie, the hot dog is the ultimate in versatility whether loaded with ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, pickles or chili and cheese, just pile it on. Hot dogs or frankfurters are believed to have originated in Frankfurt, Germany around 1484, although some credited the creation to a German butcher from the early 17th century. The American hot dog on a bun is first believed to have been sold from pushcarts on the streets of New York City during the 1860s although there is some debate. What we do know for certain is that New Yorker Harry M. Stevens popularized the term “red hots” and cartoonist T.A. Dorgan gave them their famous name when he drew one as a dachshund on an elongated bun around 1906 and called it a “hot dog.”

New Orleans’ top dog? Many say it‚Äôs the “Lucky Dog” from carts roving the French Quarter.

Test your hot dog trivia knowledge and take the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council’s online quiz to see if you’re the top dog when it comes to hot dogs. www.hot-dog.org/quiz/quiz_1.htm

EMERIL’S ULTIMATE HOT DOG BAR

Filed Under: Culinary History