I was just watching Man vs. Food with my wife and they were doing Corndogs and I mentioned to my wife that I have never had a corn dog in my life. They looked pretty good, and what isn’t to like about them. But they just weren’t a staple of my youth and I just never tried one.
So have I missed anything? And if so–where is the best place to get one? County Fair? Zoo? Fast food joint?
I don’t think that there’s anyplace better than fairs/carnivals. Carnies have got it down to an exact art form. Plus it’s got that great “once a year” quality to it.
It’s my opinion that, like funnel cake and cotton candy, corn dogs are best enjoyed in the ambiance of a county fair, tractor pull, monster truck rally, or a similar fest\ival-type atmosphere. Sure, you can buy corn dogs in your grocer’s freezer, but they’re best enjoyed after a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl or while perusing the 4-H dill pickle exhibits.
They’re also, in my experience, best with mustard – plain, cheap yellow mustard. Don’t sully my corn dog with Dijon.
YMMV.
If there’s not a fair or circus or the like handy to you, Sonic restaurants sell them.
If you do buy the frozen ones from the supermarket, read the label. You want all beef dogs.
There are some turkey/chicken/pork versions that are abominable.:mad:
While I do enjoy the frozen ones, for someone who’s gone this long without having one, wait until the carnival season for your first. It’ll be worth it.
Good Eats episode. The history of the corn dog starts at 01:53. The preparation starts at 05:40. He prepares the batter, gets the dogs on sticks, and then… Cut to Part 2.
If you don’t want to watch the video (fun as it is), here is the recipe.
Personally, I see the creamed corn and the onions as untraditional. (The jalapeños are perfectly acceptable, of course!) You could just make the batter without.
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I saw that one recently, and while i am usually a big AB fan, that recipe didn’t appeal to me. The batter was all lumpy with onions and whatnot. And why did he use two chopsticks? That looked clunky.
Dowse in mustard. 
Yes. As I said, the corn and the onions are not what I’m used to. Jalapeños aren’t very lumpy though.
The only reason I can see to use two chopsticks is so that the sausage doesn’t roll on a single one. I’ve never had any issues with the ones from various mini-marts that come on a single round stick. When I get around to making some myself, I’ll just use one stick. (I buy disposable ones, and they are square in cross-section. And yes, I do have round ones. But I’m not using my non-disposable, lacquered Japanese chopsticks for corn dogs!)
Mustard is mandatory.
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I think I would agree with you–it seems like a carnival type of thing. So I will wait until the next time I am at that type of venue. I have waited 50 years, what the hell!
A note about frozen corn dogs (and, I’m pretty sure, mini-mart ones): They’re made of chicken. This is not good. Hot dogs should be made of beef. Or beef and pork. No, beef.
Hot Dog On A Stick , that used to be in Atlantic City at one time - their dogs are made from turkey. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any commercially made corn dogs that are all beef. You have to try to make them yourself if you want those. My daughter’s babysitter used to make a kind of sliced hotdog and Jiffy corn muffin pancake that was really pretty tasty and easy . Though not as much fun to eat.
There are frozen corn dogs that are all beef, you just need to look for them.
Though having them deep fried is better than baking in an oven.
Beware the corn dog. It’s disguised in a coating of fried batter, and who knows what could be lurking underneath? By the time you find out, it’s too late.
Weinerschnitzel has pretty good corn dogs.
I heated up a corn dog from a pack I bought at Aldi’s - yup, mechanically separated turkey! It tasted really, really rank for some reason…ok for kids with lots of mustard and ketchup, I guess…
That’s why they’re terrific! What’s better than mystery meat wrapped in batter then deep fried? Corn dogs are the greatest non-food food ever created! Listen to the people in this thread, young sir, for they are wise. Plain yellow mustard + Corn dog = Key.
Mmm. I may have to head over to the Cozy Dog.
While Alton is a deity in many things, do not try that corndog recipe. Blech. They didn’t turn out corndoggy, they were more like hot dogs in a dry cornlike pancake.
Wait for a carnival - fresh from the fryer, loaded with yellow mustard.
And remember, there is a difference between corndogs and pronto pups. Don’t fall for sales schmooze. They are not the same.