I couldn't help but notice CNN's anchor, Anderson Cooper, and one of the cable news network's key statisticians, Harry Enten, tasting hot dogs on air recently. Much to my surprise, the anchor admitted he never had eaten one with mustard only. Enten, being the enthusiastic guy that he is, convinced his friend to try one.
Being a proud connoisseur of hot dogs, I wanted to know why Cooper's was topped in yellow mustard and not a brown or spicey version like you'd find on the streets of his hometown New York City. But more about that later.
With the Fourth of July rapidly approaching, I have a suggestion for Donald Trump and Joe Biden: Make sure you are seen eating hot dogs — the great American icon of foods — as often as possible.
Why? Because according to the Recipe Source, more than 150 million red hots will be consumed during the upcoming holiday weekend. No politician can afford to pass up an audience that large.
Just ask Barack Obama. Back in 2011, he ate a hot dog during a much-publicized trip to Toledo, Ohio. It was there the former president told the mayor, “Hold the ketchup.”
When I am not eating hot dogs, I usually find myself mired in politics. That said, I have begun to wonder where Trump and Biden stand on the all-important issue of “the dog.” Will Trump lean towards a New York hot dog or a Florida favorite? (Think traditional Chicago-dog topped with slaw.) Similarly, will Biden munch on a Pennsylvania red hot or a Delaware Deerhead Dog complete with its Greek-style chili sauce?
Or maybe both candidates will travel to important swing states for a hot dog. Don't be surprised if you see photos from Michigan where Koegel dogs, topped with a spicey mustard-dill pickle-tomato-onion-sweet relish sauce, are consumed or Wisconsin, where Sheboygan-style bratwurst sandwiches doused in melted butter, rule. Closer to California, steamed Sabrett hot dogs, topped with refried beans, cheese and salsa, are a Nevada favorite.
I don’t expect this to be a topic of conversation during their June 27 presidential debate; however, I would like to know how each of them would dress his hot dog.
No matter how the debate turns out for Trump or Biden, here’s one thing I know for sure: If you want to be the next commander-in-chief, you better eat hot dogs and enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks. I'm guessing Anderson Cooper and Harry Enten would agree. It doesn’t get more American than that.
-DF
P.S. I prefer my hot dog topped with ketchup and grilled onions with a bowl of chili on the side. What about you?
scuse me?>?!!!
What? You can't put ketchup on a hotdog after the age of five. It's mustard and mustard only for the sauce. You can add all the pickles and bright green celery salt and sport peppers you want but you aren't serious about ketchup!
Good column.
Best 🌭 Hot Dogs?
That’s easy;
As a kid growing up in the Valley, we liked
Flookys hot dogs on Ventura boulevard
Then Cupid’s in Van Nuys.
Carneys, both locations on Ventura & Sunset Boulevards (loved the railroad car settings)
Last but not least, Pink’s in Hollywood
I rest my case