CLEVELAND, Ohio – One of the best things about eating a hot dog is that you can customize your frank by the toppings you choose. While those choices seem endless these days, the condiment you choose could be influenced by where you live.
According to a survey conducted by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC), mustard is still the top dog when it comes to topping a weenie. Most Americans (68 percent) who eat hot dogs say they top their frankfurters with mustard, followed closely by ketchup (61 percent), onions (61 percent), relish (41 percent), then chili and cheese in a dead heat at 30 and 29 percent respectively.
With July being celebrated as National Hot Dog Month, Cleveland.com’s Best of Cleveland team is on the hunt for the tastiest – and most unique – hot dogs in The Land.
Send us an email to best@cleveland.com with the name and location of your favorite local hot dog stand. Be sure to include a brief description of the restaurant and what you love about their frankfurters. The deadline to submit nominations is noon tomorrow, July 12.
The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council survey results listed mustard and ketchup as consistent favorites nationally, but topping preferences varied by region.
While Southerners are more likely to top their hot dogs with chili, cheese, onions or cole slaw, residents in the Northeast like a little more bite and prefer sauerkraut. relish, bacon and mayonnaise are most popular in the West.
While many hot dog connoisseurs consider ketchup a definite no-no – in fact, the council’s etiquette rules suggest “no ketchup after the age of 18″ -- Americans, as a whole, seem to disagree. Of the survey’s respondents, 79 percent felt ketchup was an acceptable topping.
Most shocking to the council was that respondents in the Midwest said they were most likely to reach for the ketchup bottle first when topping their weenie.
Opinions on ketchup do seem related to age though. While only 13 percent of Americans between the ages of 18-34 find ketchup on a dog taboo, that percentage rises as people get older – with nearly one-third of those 65 or older saying ketchup has no place on a hot dog.
What do you say?
Readers who responded to our request for favorite hot dog stands made it clear Greater Clevelanders love their hot dogs. But how do Northeastern Ohioans top them? Take the fun poll below to tell us what your favorite hot dog toppings are.
While NHDSC President Eric Mittenthal said mustard’s popularity was no surprise to the council, ketchup’s high score was – considering the council etiquette rules suggest “no ketchup after the age of 18,” as well as “ketchup’s notable absence from the list on regional favorites like the Chicago Dog or the New York Coney.”
Still, Mittenthal says the high scores for so many condiment options suggest that Americans may be topping their hot dogs more generously than ever.”
Remember, keep sending in your hot dog restaurant nominations to best@cleveland.com with the name and location of your favorite go-to hot dog eatery, as well as why you love them. We’ll announce your top nominees on July 13, then ask you to vote on your favorites. We’ll announce the results on July 20. The Best of Cleveland team will then visit the Top 3 vote-getters and do full stories on each.
We can’t wait to see where you send us!
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