I know that snark and condescension are part of the Cecil brand. But I’ve always been a bit irked by the “no ketchup” purists. Who gives a flying fig what anybody else prefers on their dogs?
First of all, not everybody’s taste buds work the same way. What tastes disgusting to me might be quite pleasing to someone else, and vice versa. Who am I to judge?
Second, Cecil talks about smothering the flavor of the hot dog, then states, “The recommended ingredients of a hot dog with everything, in order of application, are mustard, relish, chopped onion, sliced tomato, kosher pickle spear, optional peppers, and celery salt.” Talk about smothering! How do you know there’s even a hot dog under all that mess?
I’m a native Chicagoan, so yeah, I do get the reverence for the classic Chicago-style dog, but I’ve never preferred this dragged-through-the-garden preparation precisely because there’s just too much going on. My go-to is a schmear of ketchup on one side and a schmear of mustard on the other. I’ve also been known to enjoy some grilled onions on a nice jumbo Best’s Kosher. Yum! A good dog doesn’t need more than that, and no, the ketchup doesn’t ruin it - in moderation. You don’t have to like ketchup, but don’t be a snob if somebody else does. It’s just a hot dog, fer cryin’ out loud.
I now stand ready to be relentlessly mocked and ridiculed.
I doubt you will be. The Straight Dope might have originated in Chicago, but non-Chicagoans are a significant majority.
And yeah, if you’re going to put everything on, put everything on.
For me personally, ketchup isn’t high on my list of preferred hot dog condiments, but I’ll often end up putting some on anyway, because, first, it’s always available whenever hot dogs are served anywhere outside of Chicago, and second, it’s quick and easy to apply.
Though when I’m in my own kitchen, nowadays, I usually substitute sriracha.
Not from me. I’m perfectly willing to accept people who want to put ketchup on hot dogs. Or burgers. Or fries. Even (shudder) steaks, I just don’t care. As long as I get the same respect for not putting ketchup on anything. Or mustard. Or relish. Or mayo.
I can live with ketchup on dogs. I sure squirted lots of it for the lil’wrekker. But, mayo on dogs just grosses me out the back door.
And, Corndogs should only have mustard! Only. I mean it.
For me, ketchup is just sweet enough to help counter the saltiness of the hotdog. And it seems to help round out the flavor overall, in the same way that adding a little tomato paste helps round out the flavor of a stew.
Ketchup is a kid’s condiment, helping children get down stuff they would not eat by drowning it in sugar. If you even had to eat food prepared for children as a adult it becomes totally obvious what ketchup is.
If there was some sort of culinary art aspect of this thing I might . . . Nah. It’s pissant wannabe “experts” seeking high ground in the swamp. It’s a freakin’ hotdog! Eat the damned thing, and chew with your mouth shut. Then keep it shut.
Tris
Actual wurst from Frankfurt tastes nothing at all like a hotdog, and doesn’t come with a wonder bread bun.
It only bothers me if, while enjoying a classic dog at an outdoor venue, it is my misfortune to see a Chicago dog desecrated by ketchup smeared all over it. I find it disgusting and repulsive, and it spoils my dog eating experience. Other than that, let the heathens do as they like.
I’m nearly 67 and have eaten hot dogs most of my life and this is the first time I’ve heard there’s any kind of “issue” with ketchup on hotdogs. Ketchup, mustard, fried onions and melted cheese. Only way to go, IMHO.
Like the OP, I’ve felt a fully dressed Chicago dog has too much going on but would no more criticize what condiments people put on their sausages than I would what gods they worship. For similar reasons.
As another data point, Ted’s Hot Dogs with several locations in western New York plus one in Tempe offers ketchup.
Another person baffled by the nonsense that somebody thinks they have a right to tell other people what they put on their food. Egad.
If someone wants to put ranch dressing on their Cheerios that’s their business.
I hate hot dogs. (Sometimes at family gatherings they’re the only food available.) Putting ketchup on them kills some of the horrible taste. So the argument that Cecil quotes against it is actually a positive one!
And stop with the “eating pizza with silverware is bad” stupidity. No, that’s a better way. Try it, you’ll like it.
This. Like I’ve said elsewhere, even if it’s an all-beef kosher hot dog, it’s still the parts of the cow that weren’t good enough for anything else. Getting all purist about how to eat the not-quite-throwaway bits is absurd.
I won’t mock you for ketchup, as I like it myself. I’ll mock you for inviting me to your house for some “barbecue” if what you serve is hot dogs instead of barbecue, though.
