THE PERFECT HOT DOG
NEWS COPY - Infographic - Video
In honor of National Hot Dog Day a new survey reveals what Americans think makes up the perfect hot dog.
The New York hot dog reigns supreme with results showing the classic hot dog with spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut is the most preferred of them all.
The "Chicago Dog" with yellow mustard, relish, chopped onion, tomato slices, sport peppers, green peppers, pickles, celery salt and a poppy-seed bun came in second, followed by the Cincinnati's version with chili and cheddar cheese in third.
Ball Park brand polled 2,000 Americans for National Hot Dog Day and discovered Americans love grilling their hot dogs, favoring it over boiling and frying.
Beef is the preferred hot dog ingredient; more than half of consumers prefer to keep it simple with a traditional hot dog bun and over a third toast their bread.
While onions and yellow mustard are the most used topping and condiment for a hot dog; not all condiments or toppings are acceptable - Americans believe. One in seven even say using ketchup is hot dog blasphemy.
The average American has been eating hot dogs since the age of five, with over a quarter even starting earlier.
It takes five bites to finish a hot dog, and people typically enjoy two hot dogs in one sitting. The average person will eat 1,242 hot dogs in their lifetime, which in a line would be the length of three and a half football fields.
"Hot dogs are a classic American staple and it's no surprise to us that the majority of people enjoy them grilled," said Sara Shenoha, Senior Brand Manager, Ball Park brand. "The possibilities are endless -from backyard barbecues to baseball games, it's fun to see all the different ways consumers enjoy eating their franks."
From topping their hot dog with butter and chicken gravy to humus and sun-dried tomatoes, survey respondents shared some of their most bizarre hot dog toppings and condiments.
One participant likes adding syrup when no one is looking so that others aren't disgusted while another likes their hot dogs with peanut butter and grilled onions.
An outdoor BBQ is the perfect time to eat a hot dog, followed by a picnic and at a baseball game.
Nothing goes down better with a hot dog than a soft drink, but an ice-cold beer or sweet tea can also do the trick.
Nearly a third say chips are the perfect side dish to have with a hot dog, and about a quarter prefer baked beans or fries.
For the age old debate of whether a hot dog is a sandwich, 59 percent say it's not.
"It's exciting to see the enthusiasm and the passion people have for hot dogs, especially when deciding what toppings make up the ultimate hot dog. As for the age old debate, we side with the majority," said Shenoha.
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Top 3 favorite hot dog type
Beef
Pork
Kosher
