I was reading a thread about hot dogs in Cafe Society, and it made me think of something I’ve wondered about. I grew up holding hot dogs on buns like a sandwich: top bun on top, dog in the middle, bottom bun on the bottom. But sometimes when I see photos of people eating them, they’re holding them with the hot dog facing up (so the bun is essentially U-shaped). I guess that would make more sense when eating one with a lot of toppings (I eat mine plain), but I wonder if it’s a regional thing.
So, a poll (assuming I can figure out how to make it work). How do you eat your hot dog?
Depends on the toppings, but usually dog up. Since the proper way to dress a hot dog is to dress the dog, not the bun, any other orientation increases the likelihood of mustard on your shirt.
I guess it doesn’t matter much in any practical sense if you don’t put any toppings on it, though you will look like a oddball. But hey if you don’t care about what people think of you, eat it with the dog facing down for all I care.
But the direction is up, toppings are the reason, and now they even sell buns that are top split for beginners who haven’t graduated to proper side sliced buns which makes the whole dog tastier.
The first time I had a u-shaped bun was at a working class bar in Providence R.I. when I was visiting friends. They’re not common in SoCal. At least that I’ve found, but I’m not a big hot dog eater.
I associate the u-shaped bun with lobster rolls more than hot dogs.
Since the Polish Sausage phase-out, our only choice at CostCo is a doggy delivered with bun sticking to wiener. Pry the bun apart, squirt onions + relish + spicy mustard+ catsup aboard, add kraut, and try not to dump the toppings.
Chili dogs elsewhere are quite messy. A tablespoon works best. Doesn’t matter whether bun, dog, chili, onions, or cheeze are on top.