# Ketchup On A Chicago Dog. Is it Legal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 12, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055 "2014-12-12T20:21:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [December 26, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/21 "2014-12-26T20:05:58Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > Vienna Beef all beef dogs. I’ll take them over ny dogs any day. Having had all sorts of NY dogs, I agree. The only one I may except is the Sahlen dogs as prepared by Ted’s in Buffalo. They’re a natural casing beef and pork mix, prepared over a grill and slashed into while grilling (!?–you’d think it would dry up the dog, but it’s great) and I like them better than Vienna Beef or Red Hot Chicago dogs. (Or at least as a change of pace.) The stuff I’ve had in NYC was generally not to my tastes. And skinless dogs are just a non-starter with me. (And this has become a big problem in the Chicago area, as most places now, it seems by a wide majority, serve skinless dogs. And true kosher dogs, so far as I know, are skinless by definition, so non-starter there.) Some of the most famous Chicago hot dog stands like Gene and Jude’s or Jimmy’s Red Hots just give you mustard, relish, and onion\*. A natural casing Vienna Beef or Red Hot hot dog stands on its own–it doesn’t need anything but perhaps a squirt of mustard on it. I’ve had dogs in the Midwest that really do need to be ladled on with chili/hot dog sauce and onions for them to have any flavor, because the core dog is so poor (like an Oscar Mayer weiner/bologna in flavor and texture), but not the natural casing dogs I’ve had around here. \*([Here’s a little article](http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/08/hot-dog-of-the-week-depression-dog-chicago-illinois.html) on these more minimalist dogs. A number of hot dog places in my neighborhood served them this style, as well. I don’t think I had a full-on “Chicago style hot dog” until well into my teen years, and I grew up in the city. Also interesting to note–for at least the folks following the “is the hot dog a sandwich thread,” that these were called “depression sandwiches.”) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2014, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/22 "2014-12-26T20:26:38Z")
Ketchup does not belong on any hot dog sandwich, not just the hot dog sandwiches in Chicago (or whatever they are, I’ve never had a Chicago Hot Dog Sandwich). ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/23 "2014-12-28T06:46:02Z")
[Best’s Kosher](http://amazingribs.com/blog/2009-02-17_Best_hot_dog_gone.html) franks were always my favorite until they were gobbled up by Sara Lee and the brand was eventually discontinued. I find today Hebrew National is my preferred dog. Vienna Beef is ok. I’ve always objected to ketchup in almost every situation because it is so ungodly sweet. It covers the flavor of anything it touches. Don’t know the last time I had a bottle of it in the house. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/24 "2014-12-28T06:56:53Z")
> [@Anthony\_Smith](#): > > … > Most serious Chicago Dog eaters say it is a Cardinal Sin to put ketchup on a Chicago Dog. The reasoning behind that is they say that the Tomato Slices are all that is needed for Tomato Content. Wait. You lost me at “the Tomato Slices”. Before we even discuss ketchup (which doesn’t belong on a hot dog), who the hell puts tomato slices on a hot dog? Does Chicago have to screw up both pizza _and_ hot dogs? (And why are"Tomato Slices" and “Tomato Content” capitalized?) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/25 "2014-12-28T10:49:50Z")
Og dammit. I’m having my first real missing Hot Doug’s moment. _sniff_ ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/26 "2014-12-28T12:24:21Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Wait. You lost me at “the Tomato Slices”. Before we even discuss ketchup (which doesn’t belong on a hot dog), who the hell puts tomato slices on a hot dog? Does Chicago have to screw up both pizza _and_ hot dogs? > (And why are"Tomato Slices" and “Tomato Content” capitalized?) 😛 In the culinary world, there is a huge difference between tomato slices and catsup. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/27 "2014-12-28T21:35:40Z")
Fine, fine, I’ll agree to stop putting ketchup on my hot dogs (Nathan’s or Hebrew National only, thankyouverymuch) - so long as you all stop calling anything that is prepared from a dead cow “barbecue”. “Barbecue” is pulled pork, period. And it exists in its true form only east of Goldsboro, North Carolina and south of Moncks Crossing, South Carolina. ---
**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:** [December 28, 2014, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/28 "2014-12-28T23:29:28Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > … “Barbecue” is pulled pork, period. And it exists in its true form only east of Goldsboro, North Carolina and south of Moncks Crossing, South Carolina. How is it with ketchup? ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/29 "2014-12-29T03:48:20Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Ketchup on anything other than french fries or fish is an abomination of nature. Ketchup on fish? 😕:eek: Tell me that’s a joke. Please? ---
**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:** [December 29, 2014, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/30 "2014-12-29T04:51:17Z")
> [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](#): > > Ketchup on fish? 😕:eek: > > Tell me that’s a joke. Please? I somehow missed that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone ever put ketchup on fish before. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/31 "2014-12-29T07:17:36Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > In the culinary world, there is a huge difference between tomato slices and catsup. I never said otherwise. Regardless, neither belongs on a hog dog. Not because they’re both tomato, but because they just don’t. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/32 "2014-12-29T07:24:41Z")
> [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](#): > > Ketchup on fish? 😕:eek: > > Tell me that’s a joke. Please? You can buy sardines in tomato sauce, so I can see it for some fish, but I wouldn’t put it on salmon or flounder, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/33 "2014-12-29T15:17:47Z")
> [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](#): > > Ketchup on fish? 😕:eek: > > Tell me that’s a joke. Please? I’ve put ketchup on fish sticks, when I was out of both tartar sauce and mayonnaise. Granted, it’s not a first choice, but it’s better than eating them dry. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/34 "2014-12-30T14:17:50Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > You can buy sardines in tomato sauce, so I can see it for some fish, but I wouldn’t put it on salmon or flounder, for example. The more sardines that are placed in a can, the greater the profit as sardine oil costs more than the sardines. Not sure about the cost of tomato sauce in a sardine can. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/35 "2014-12-30T14:21:19Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I never said otherwise. Regardless, neither belongs on a hog dog. Not because they’re both tomato, but because they just don’t. Tomato is a fruit. Ketchup is a condiment. Tomato on a dog is OK in Chicago. Nix on the Ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/36 "2014-12-30T17:12:15Z")
Just to be clear to everyone who seems to think otherwise. \*I know the difference between tomatoes and ketchup. \* I really don’t need to have it explained. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/37 "2014-12-30T18:43:22Z")
> [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](#): > > Ketchup on fish? 😕:eek: > > Tell me that’s a joke. Please? Should have said fried fish, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/38 "2014-12-30T19:56:54Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Should have said fried fish, sorry. The clarification didn’t help. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/39 "2014-12-30T20:29:02Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > The clarification didn’t help. It’s like a deconstructed tuna salad. So instead of tomatoes like you use in the salad you use ketchup on the haddock instead. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055/40 "2014-12-30T23:35:10Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Just to be clear to everyone who seems to think otherwise. \*I know the difference between tomatoes and ketchup. \* I really don’t need to have it explained. 😛 Not so fast davidm. If you had to ask why ketchup is nix (Hey, you started his thread) and tomatoes are OK on a dog, (resting peacefully on a poppy seed bun) then you do not know the difference. Shame! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-on-a-chicago-dog-is-it-legal/707055.md?page=3)