Hot Dog Etiquette

Here are just some of the ‘rules’ the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (USA) recommends for hot dog etiquette.

Here are the Do’s

• Serve sesame seed, poppy seed and plain buns with hot dogs. Sun-dried tomato buns or basil buns are considered gauche with franks.
• Eat hot dogs on buns with your hands. Utensils should not touch hot dogs on buns.
• Lick condiments off fingers after eating a hot dog – do not wash it off.
• Use paper plates to serve hot dogs. Every day dishes are acceptable; china is a no-no.

Here are the Don’ts

• Put hot dog toppings between the hot dog and the bun. Always “dress the dog,” not the bun. Condiments should be applied in the following order: wet condiments like mustard and chilli are applied first, followed by chunky condiments like relish, onions and sauerkraut, followed by shredded cheese, followed by spices, like celery salt or pepper.
• Use a cloth napkin to wipe your mouth when eating a hot dog. Paper is always preferable.
• Take more than five bites to finish a hot dog. For a foot-long wiener, seven bites are acceptable.
• Leave bits of bun on your plate. Eat it all.
• Put fresh herbs on the same plate with hot dogs and overdo the presentation.
• Use ketchup on your hot dog after the age of 18. Mustard, relish, onions, cheese and chili are acceptable.
• Send a thank you note following a hot dog barbecue. It would not be in keeping with the unpretentious nature of hot dogs.
• Bring wine to a hot dog barbecue. Beer, soda, lemonade and iced tea are preferable.
• Ever think there is a wrong time to serve hot dogs.

Remember these hot dog etiquette tips!