Who invented the hot dog?

It’s hard to say definitively who invented the hot dog, but credit has gone to Emil Reichel and Sam Ladany (the co-founders of Vienna Beef) and Johann Georghehner, a German butcher. No one is entirely sure.

Why are they called franks or wieners?

Hot dogs are called franks, short for frankfurters, because they may have begun in Frankfurt, Germany. Hot dogs are called wieners because they may have begun in Vienna, Austria, which is wien in German.

When was the hot dog invented?

Sausages date all the way back to ancient times, but the hot dog is first found mentioned in print in the late 1800s.

Where was the hot dog invented?

There is no definitive answer, but Frankfurt, Germany and Vienna, Austria both take credit for the invention of the hot dog.

How did the hot dog get its name?

There are several myths about how the hot dog got its name, but the most likely origin is 19th century college humor, when students would make crude jokes pertaining to the questionable origin of the meat in hot dogs.

Why are hot dogs red?

Hot dogs are red because sodium nitrite is added to cure the meat, add flavor, and prevent the growth of bacteria. Sodium nitrite is also added to bacon, cold cuts, and Spam.

Baseball Hot Dogs

Is there anything more satisfying than enjoying a hot dog while watching your favorite MLB team? After all, baseball is the great American pastime.

Who doesn’t love the sound of a bat connecting with a baseball while the person behind you sings, “Swing, batter batter swing!” It’s thrilling to watch baseball players run the bases and slide into home as the umpire yells, “Safe!”

But let’s be honest…

Isn’t the real reason we go to the ballpark to eat those wonderful hot dogs wrapped in a steamed bun and wash it down with an iced cold beer?

With over 26 million hot dogs and sausages consumed during an average baseball season, it’s safe to assume hot dogs are an important part of the baseball experience.

Most Interesting Ballpark Food’s — Source: couchguysports.com

As soon as you enter the stadium, that unique, savory aroma wafts through the air leading you straight to the concession stand. Few things evoke the nostalgia of a long-gone era than ballpark hot dogs.

So if you’re wondering where you can find the best tasting baseball hot dogs, we’ve got the 4-1-1. We have all the answers to your hot dog questions, such as:

What kinds of hot dogs are sold at baseball games?
What are the MLB top-ranked hot dogs?
How can you make a stadium hot dog at home?

Hot diggity dog—let’s get started!

Baseball officially began in America in 1846, with the first game being played in Hoboken, NJ. The first official MLB team was the Cincinnati Red Stockings. From that moment on, we were hooked.

It wasn’t until the 1860s that hot dogs came on the scene in America. But when they did, Americans couldn’t get enough of them. We have Chris Von de Ahe to thank for coming up with the genius idea of selling hot dogs at baseball parks.

He was a German immigrant turned entrepreneur who owned the St. Louis ballpark, which was home to the Browns baseball team. Since the history of the hot dog begins with the popular German frankfurter, he gambled that it would be a hit with attendees—and he was right.

For over 100 years, hot dogs have been the most popular food consumed at ballparks across the country. With the origins of the hot dog dating as far back as the 9th Century B.C., it’s safe to assume that they were as popular then as they are now.

Beginning in Germany with the frankfurter, named after the town of Frankfurt, they’ve been a staple for centuries. German immigrants brought them over to America as an economical food source.

Once a frankfurter was placed in a bun, something magical happened. People realized that this was a dish that could be consumed without utensils, which was a foreign concept at the time.

What better way to enjoy a delicious meal in the stadium stands? Thus, the hot dog revolution was born. It grew in popularity throughout the years, with each ballpark touting their specialty hot dog as the best.

Although many new state-of-the-art baseball stadiums boast menu items that you might find in a five-star restaurant, the hot dog remains the most popular food attraction. It’s likely because hot dogs are simply a tradition—something we want to cling to.

Athletes are also fans—The Great Gambino once ate a dozen hot dogs between two games of a double-header!

So, exactly what types of hot dogs are sold at baseball games? Let’s take a closer look.

What Kind of Hot Dogs Are Sold at Baseball Games?

One of the most popular hot dogs sold across stadiums is Famous Nathan’s all-beef hot dogs. Nathan’s original hot dog stand is in Coney Island, and it would be hard to find a more famous hot dog.

Nathan’s is also known for its famous hot dog eating contest. With a stellar reputation, it’s no wonder that most ballparks sell their famous frankfurters.

Every major league baseball stadium has a unique twist on the hot dog, which are often named after their teams. So what are the different types of hot dogs and which ones are the best?

We’re going to take you through a tasty list of the most amazing hot dogs across the entire United States and what scrumptious toppings they swear by.

MLB’s Top Ranked Hot Dogs

National Hot Dog and Sausage Council — Source: hot-dog.org

The Dodger Dog ranks at the top of the list and is sold at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, home to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It’s a 10-inch hot dog soaked in beer that’s grilled. It’s served with ketchup, mustard, onions, and sweet relish.

The Chicago Dog comes in second and reigns supreme at Wrigley Field—home of the Chicago Cubs.

The hot dog is nestled in a steamed bun, and the toppings are applied in this order: yellow mustard, sweet relish, onion, tomato wedges, pickle spears, sport peppers, and celery salt.

They also sell the local favorite, Hot Doug’s Sausages as well.

The Cuban Dog or Cubano Dog can be found at the home of the Kansas City Royals. They start with an all-beef Aramark hot dog and load it with pulled pork, shaved ham, melted swiss, and top it with mustard and pickles.

The Denver Dog hails from Coors Field, which is home to the Colorado Rockies. The Mile High City serves it with an all-beef dog, green chile, red onions, jalapenos, and topped off with sour cream.

Dog topped with red onions in sauce — Source: hot-dog.org

Nathan’s Famous Natural Casing Dog is what you’ll find at Yankee Stadium, home to the New York Yankees. They keep it simple and classic, topping their dog with red onion, sauce, and sauerkraut. A definite home run!

The Fenway Frank found at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, proudly serves its dog from a local purveyor. Their franks are grilled and placed in a steamed, white roll and topped with mustard.

The Everything Dog (T.E.D.) can be found at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. Just like the name says, this dog has everything in it! It starts with a foot-long beef hot dog from the Braves’ Chophouse and is loaded with nacho chips, queso, jalapenos, popcorn, and a drizzle of barbecue sauce.

The Chicken Enchilada Dog is what you’ll find in the southwest at the home field of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The base is an 18-inch chicken enchilada sausage tucked in a telera roll and garnished with queso blanco, enchilada sauce, pico de gallo, sour cream, black olives, and multi-colored tortilla strips.

queso blanco, enchilada sauce, pico de gallo

The Cincinnati Cheese Coney Dog is what you’ll find at the concession stand if you’re watching the Cincinnati Reds play on their home field. It’s one of the best chili dogs you’ll ever taste. Their secret chili has flavors of chocolate and cinnamon topped with cheese and onions.

chocolate and cinnamon topped with cheese

Ben’s Half Smoke can be found at the home of the Washington Nationals. The half pork, half beef dog is smothered in chili from Ben’s Chili Bowl, a local favorite. Topped with mustard, cheddar cheese, and onions, it’s a flavor explosion in your mouth.

How to Make a Stadium Style Hot Dog at Home

If you want to create a baseball stadium experience, simply prepare your hot dog for your preferred method. Place them in a nice steamed bun and top them with your favorite Major League baseball team’s signature ingredients and you’re all set.

We have tons of great hot dog ideas for you to get inspired.

But…

If you want the authentic experience of a stadium hot dog, then take me to the ballgame!

Photo by Wikimedia Commons / CC BY

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