Americans love hot dogs, but what is now considered the quintessential meal of Americana has traveled across a continent and an ocean to reach our shores. The history of the hot dog dates back centuries and has taken on a heavily regional identity across the US. As you fire up the grill or bring your dogs to a boil, take a moment to reflect on the hot dog’s tireless travels to your dinner plate.
The earliest mention of the hot dog appears at the height of the Roman Empire. According to some sources, the first hot dog was created all the way back at the peak of the Roman Empire. Emperor Nero’s cook, Gaius, is said to have taken the intestines of a pig that was mistakenly roasted with its innards still inside it. (Yuck)
In the heat of the fire pit, the intestines swell, filled with air. Gaius had the genius idea to stuff the intestines with various game meats, and voila, the sausage was born.
The sausage, of course, is a close relative of the hot dog family, making its roots almost noble in origin.
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It’s probably no surprise that Germany and Austria claim to have invented the “true” hot dog.
The debate will probably never end, but both cities played a role in standardizing the definition of a hot dog and differentiating it from sausages.
Hot dogs are a category of sausage; while all hot dogs are sausages, not all sausages are hot dogs. Technically, hot dogs are generally defined as being made from pureed or emulsified meat, pre-cooked or cured in the factory, and skinless or using artificial casings. Hot dogs are relatively the same size and shape, though there are plenty of varieties to choose from, including:
Those German and Austrian immigrants brought both sausages and hot dogs to the US in the 1800s. Initially sold from hot dog carts owned by Germans and Eastern Europeans, the hot dog evolved from a street food staple into a fixture at baseball games, circuses and, eventually, American homes.
The hot dog was portable and affordable, and it also began to take on identities that reflected the communities where it was served.
Regional hot dogs like the Chicago Dog and Detroit Coney have become sources of civic pride and have tales of their own.
The Chicago Dog, for example, was invaluable during the Great Depression. A source of cheap sustenance, city officials encouraged vendors to introduce healthy vegetables to the dog to help Chicagoans get the nutrients they needed. Street vendors piled on seven vegetables, including white onions, tomato wedges, pickles, peppers, and sweet relish.
If you’ve ever wondered how many hot dogs Americans eat, the number is almost sure to surprise you. Americans eat 20 billion hot dogs every year, or about 70 per person annually. Over a third of all hot dog consumption occurs during peak grilling season, with 7 billion hot dogs knocked down between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That’s 818 hot dogs every second, all summer long!
There’s nothing like the perfect hot dog right off the grill. Max’s Service is the area’s most trusted Weber Grills retailer, making it easy to find the right grill to suit your family’s needs. We also offer a full range of home appliances from brands you know and love, offering selection, service, and convenience. Start your search in our Downtown TC showroom or contact us today to learn more!
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