# How do you like you chili-dogs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 5, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130 "2018-08-05T14:57:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/1 "2018-08-05T14:57:33Z")
Promoted by [this thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=859894) and by a recent discussion at a family gathering. How do you like your chili-dogs? Go into as much or as little detail as you like but for purposes of this thread, chili-dogs essentially fall into one of two categories. 1 – Some people overload toppings onto their chili-dog to the point where you must use plate and fork (and maybe a bib) to eat them. 2 – Some people lightly top their chili-dogs enabling them to be consumed by picking them up and eating them like a regular dog. Assume you’re at home or in some other circumstances where either option is open to you, what’s your pleasure. Speaking just for myself, I am very firmly in the first category. Load them up and pass the napkins! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/2 "2018-08-05T15:24:26Z")
I voted “Just a spoonful” because that way I can add onions and cheese and still eat the dog out of hand. Kosher dog, toasted bun, stripe of mustard, layer of Wolf, chopped onions, finely shredded cheese. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/3 "2018-08-05T15:56:09Z")
If the thing becomes too messy to eat with your hands, you just might as well cook the hot dogs with the chili and serve both in a bowl. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/4 "2018-08-05T15:57:11Z")
Really, polls like this should be public so we know who to shun when in polite society. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/5 "2018-08-05T16:05:19Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > If the thing becomes too messy to eat with your hands, you just might as well cook the hot dogs with the chili and serve both in a bowl. Maybe a bread bowl? > [@JohnT](#): > > Really, polls like this should be public so we know who to shun when in polite society. 😃 Do what I do, shun everyone.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/6 "2018-08-05T16:15:16Z")
Hot dogs should be eaten out of hand. If you’re using a knife and fork you’re eating chili with bread and a hot dog in it. That being said I want enough chili on my dog that some squishes out when i take a bite. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/7 "2018-08-05T16:30:10Z")
If I’m eating a Coney, ladel it on and I’ll use a fork. If I’m eating a chili dog, just enough to cover the dog so as I can still eat it with my hands. It’s a fine line. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/8 "2018-08-05T16:36:16Z")
Either way is fine but there must be diced, fresh onion on top, preferably a sweet onion and lots of it. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/9 "2018-08-05T16:43:08Z")
In a drive-in/eat-in-car situation I prefer less chili due to the mess/cleanup factor. In a sit-down situation I’m happy with a lot of chili, and of course lots of chopped onions either way. And maybe some Fritos Scoops on the side. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/10 "2018-08-05T16:45:12Z")
A good amount of chili, raw onions and what’s a hot dog without yellow mustard? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/11 "2018-08-05T16:58:30Z")
I thought this was going to be a question about condiments, to which I say “with onions and mustard.” I’m not really much of a chili dog person, but I voted the second option. Definitely not overflowing. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/12 "2018-08-05T17:34:24Z")
I’ve never actually had one that could be eaten out of hand, and I love adding additional stuff to it. And that means I need a fork, so I picked the first option. That doesn’t mean I’m not open to the idea, though. It just isn’t how I’ve ever found them when I’ve ordered them. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/13 "2018-08-05T17:41:00Z")
Onions are gross. I will take mine with shredded cheese though. More chili is better but it gets to be a mess with too much. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/14 "2018-08-05T17:49:40Z")
I’m on team ‘spoonful’ but that’s not really accurate. It would take probably 3 or 4 of what I’d call a spoonful to properly dress the dog. A ladle is way too much. To finish it off, I’ll also add some sharper-than-sweeter chopped onion, maybe a little mustard (depends on the chili) and something for spice like giardiniera or sport peppers or even nacho rings in a pinch. Edit: no cheese on mine, please. It gets lost in the other strong flavors. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/15 "2018-08-05T19:00:23Z")
It depends on whether I want a lot of chili and to eat it with a knife and fork, or whether I want just a little chili and to eat it out of hand. Really, there’s no debate here. No right or wrong. Purely a matter of circumstance and personal preference at each chili dog-eating occasion. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/16 "2018-08-05T19:04:17Z")
Double cheese and just enough chili so it can be eaten like a hot dog. However, putting it in a bowl and eating with a spoon is kinda fun too. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/17 "2018-08-05T19:18:24Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Either way is fine but there must be diced, fresh onion on top, preferably a sweet onion and lots of it. Yeah, I can eat them either way. I’d rather be able to hold the chili dog, but there must be onions. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/18 "2018-08-05T19:18:41Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Edit: no cheese on mine, please. It gets lost in the other strong flavors. I sort of think that a chili dog is already too much of a good thing. I like hot dogs. I like chili (and have a great recipe). They’re each great on their own, but not as good together. And the chili would make the bun soggy; I don’t like soggy bread. I wonder if I should revive the “foods that are better plain” thread to include chili dogs. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/19 "2018-08-05T19:46:38Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I sort of think that a chili dog is already too much of a good thing. I like hot dogs. I like chili (and have a great recipe). They’re each great on their own, but not as good together. And the chili would make the bun soggy; I don’t like soggy bread. > > I wonder if I should revive the “foods that are better plain” thread to include chili dogs. I sometime go to Pinks, they make a great chili dog. But they have nice dogs, with natural casing/skin. So I usually order 1 or 2 plain with mustard, and then one with Chili and cheese. The chile doesnt cost more, it is standard. It’s more of a chile sauce there, than something you’d eat from a bowl. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130/20 "2018-08-06T00:45:54Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I sort of think that a chili dog is already too much of a good thing. I like hot dogs. I like chili (and have a great recipe). They’re each great on their own, but not as good together. And the chili would make the bun soggy; I don’t like soggy bread. > > I wonder if I should revive the “foods that are better plain” thread to include chili dogs. Wouldn’t a “plain chili dog,” by the lights of that thread, be a simple naked hot dog in a roll? Or maybe no roll? I wouldn’t want bread soggy with water. Bread soggy with coffee might be all right if I was in a weird mood at the breakfast table. If it’s soggy with good chili, hot sauce, and a frank…pass me that knife and fork. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-like-you-chili-dogs/819130.md?page=2)