# Third hot dog topic in a week--Do you put ketchup on hot dogs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 7, 2014, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801 "2014-09-07T22:39:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/41 "2014-09-08T03:59:03Z")
I also don’t like ketchup. Maybe I’d put it on a fish stick, since I dislike fish more than I dislike ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/42 "2014-09-08T04:10:46Z")
You either put Michigan sauce and chopped onions on your hot dog or you do it the wrong way. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/43 "2014-09-08T04:12:25Z")
What’s so heinous about ketchup? (spoken by someone who puts ketchup on steak) I like ketchup. It’s not just for kids or insane adults, yanno. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/44 "2014-09-08T04:17:43Z")
I prefer a Chicago style “garden” dog, but that’s an awful lot of work for a quick nosh at home. So if I’m out, it’s got all the usual suspects on it, but at home, it’s ketchup and if I’m feeling energetic, mustard and pickle relish - the ketchup gives it the sweetness and tang of the missing tomato slices and onion. And yes, I’m a Chicagoan and no, I don’t care what you put on your hot dog. I will joke about it, but I really don’t care. (But Giordano’s is not good pizza, and that’s no joke.) ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/45 "2014-09-08T05:13:29Z")
“Always” was as close as I could come in the poll. I do my hot dogs with ketchup only — with one exception: when I’m at a Cleveland Indians baseball game. In that case, I use Bertman’s Stadium Mustard — which I’ve been doing since I was a kid at the old Municipal Stadium. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/46 "2014-09-08T05:18:50Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > One, it’s not just a Chicago thing. Two, nobody here _actually_ cares. > > If you think deep dish is the only or main thing going here, you’re wrong. When one of the main hallmarks of a product named after your city is _required_ to not have ketchup, then I’d say it is part of the culture, like it or not. You can talk about how giant burritos are also popular outside of SF or not everybody in Philadelphia likes cheese steak or or puts Cheez Whiz on it, but the association is strong and not without some precedent. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/47 "2014-09-08T05:22:19Z")
Yeah, I do, but who gives a fuck? It’s my hot dog. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/48 "2014-09-08T05:32:13Z")
This is the only place I’ve ever been told I’m eating my hot dog wrong. Not only do I squirt my condiment in the wrong place, I’m not even squirting the right one on the bun. I like my hot dogs with ketchup and sharp cheddar cheese and sweet pickle relish. Sometimes I like it with ranch and bacon bits. Sometimes I like it with barbecue sauce and mayo. But never, ever do I like it with mustard. I LOVE mustard, but not on my hot dog. Especially not a thick line of it on a place where it won’t soak into the bun. But that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/49 "2014-09-08T05:55:58Z")
The REAL answer. [Why is there no ketchup on a properly made hot dog? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/679/why-is-there-no-ketchup-on-a-properly-made-hot-dog) > [@](#): > > \*Dear Cecil: > > I was sitting at the Montreal Pool Room eating my all-dressed hot dog and suddenly the question hit me: why is there no ketchup in an all-dressed? > > \ > > — Paul Macneil, Dorval, Quebec > \* > Cecil replies: > > Paul, I know you don’t mean to act like an alfalfa-chewing barbarian, but this is like asking why Leonardo didn’t paint the Mona Lisa on black velvet. Ketchup is destructive of all that is right and just about a properly assembled hot dog (and we’re talking about a pure beef hot dog, not one of those things you could serve with dressing on Thanksgiving). > > Ketchup smothers the flavor of the hot dog because ketchup makers add sugar to their products. That takes the edge off the highly acidic tomatoes, but it takes the edge off everything else, too. Which is exactly why a lot of parents like it, according to Mel Plotsky, sales manager for the David Berg hot dog company in Chicago. (Chicago is one of the hot dog’s holy cities.) Put ketchup on it and a kid will swallow anything — and from there it’s a straight shot to Velveeta cheese, Franco-American spaghetti, and Deborah Norville. > > \ > > But — getting back to the original question — you say you like the taste of tomatoes. Fine, then eat tomatoes, as God meant them to be eaten — fresh sliced and piled on top of the hot dog. 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. (Many think you have to get kraut in there too, but Cecil wants a hot dog, not Oktoberfest.) > > \ > > If you go into an authentic hot dog joint and ask for ketchup on your hot dog, the counterman will pause and look you in the eye. He may or may not say, “Ketchup?” with a tone of disbelief. But you may be certain what he’s thinking: “Behold this creature that walks like a man. It wants _ketchup_ on its _hot dog_.” > > But hey, if you want ketchup, by all means get it. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/50 "2014-09-08T07:29:57Z")
No. Not because of some snobbery, but because ketchup is just so dadblasted sweet and overpowering. It didn’t seem to be that bad when I was younger, but now it is. You put it on a hot dog, and you’re eating something that tastes like ketchup but with a meat-like texture. French fries have the same problem. Even adding ketchup to sauces can overpower everything. You can somewhat get it on a burger without overpowering everything, but you have to be very sparing with it, and keep it on top where you’re tongue will touch everything else first. I would so love to find a less sweet version of ketchup. There are times where I want the flavor I remember on something, add the ketchup, and then get reminded that’s it’s so much sweeter than I remember from childhood. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/51 "2014-09-08T09:02:57Z")
Sure. They’re just hot dogs. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/52 "2014-09-08T09:59:08Z")
I once stupidly bought a case of hot dogs - they were cheap - dollar a ten-pack. 120 altogether. I ate them every style imaginable. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/53 "2014-09-08T10:58:14Z")
I put ketchup on my pizza. _(not really. I only put whipped cream and vegemite on pizza)_ ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/54 "2014-09-08T11:20:54Z")
Ketchup and sweet relish, mmmmmmmmmmm! :o ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/55 "2014-09-08T14:36:18Z")
Count me as irrelevant too because I don’t put ketchup on anything. In fact, the only time I even eat ketchup is when I get a Whopper Jr. from Burger King. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/56 "2014-09-08T14:56:34Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > One, it’s not just a Chicago thing. Two, nobody here _actually_ cares. And yet like clockwork, it shows up in every thread. That’s rather unusual if no one _really_ cares. I put ketchup on hot dogs. Hot dogs are cheap and not the most flavorful of meat products. Now, brats, brats I like with some sauerkraut and a nice mustard. Ketchup is too much for those. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/57 "2014-09-08T15:55:52Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > And yet like clockwork, it shows up in every thread. That’s rather unusual if no one _really_ cares. It’s just silly good-natured, ribbing/hazing whatever you want to call it. Plenty of non-Chicagoans (like **silenus** ) are even taking objection to ketchup. And Dirty Harry. 🙂 It’s certainly not a Chicago-only thing. I’m telling you, nobody actually gives a shit what you put on your hot dog. Just like food discussions about beans and chili, or other contentious food/music/art topics. People take these topics far too seriously and sincerely. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/58 "2014-09-08T16:00:15Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > It’s just silly good-natured, ribbing/hazing whatever you want to call it. So, when you complain about putting ketchup on hot dogs, that’s ribbing, but when I complain about being ridiculed for putting ketchup on hot dogs, that’s taking things too seriously. Gotcha. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/59 "2014-09-08T16:02:22Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > When one of the main hallmarks of a product named after your city is _required_ to not have ketchup, then I’d say it is part of the culture, like it or not. Yes, it is part of the culture. Nobody is arguing that. What I am arguing is that nobody really cares. A hot dog, as served in Chicago, does not generally come with ketchup if you ask for it “everything on it.” It may or may not come with tomatoes. It may or may not be served on a poppy seed bun. There are exceptions, though. There are a few places in Chicago where you do have to say “everything, no ketchup,” as some hot dog places will put it on there for you. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801/60 "2014-09-08T16:08:44Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > So, when you complain about putting ketchup on hot dogs, that’s ribbing, but when I complain about being ridiculed for putting ketchup on hot dogs, that’s taking things too seriously. Gotcha. Well, yes. (And I personally am not complaining about people who put ketchup on hot dogs in this thread.) I grew up a Cubs fan in South Side Chicago. I got a lot of shit for that. But, you know what, nobody really cared. I never took it seriously. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-hot-dog-topic-in-a-week-do-you-put-ketchup-on-hot-dogs/697801.md?page=4)