# Where is the mustard applied? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 4, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514 "2014-09-04T19:14:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/41 "2014-09-05T04:19:18Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > By this logic you might as well dump the whole thing in a blender and eat it with a spoon :dubious: i’d like my smoothie with the works. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/42 "2014-09-05T04:36:46Z")
Definitely over. Oh wait. Wrong poll. 😃 I’m a mustard and the heresy-of-catsup on the weiner kind of gal. ---
**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:** [September 5, 2014, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/43 "2014-09-05T06:27:28Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > Definitely over. Oh wait. Wrong poll. 😃 > > I’m a mustard and the heresy-of-catsup on the weiner kind of gal. My kinda woman. You were raised properly Ruby. I’ll buy you a Red Hot anytime, anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/44 "2014-09-05T09:54:17Z")
> [@Srsly\_Dad](#): > > Heretic - Ketchup does not belong on a proper hot dog. > > At the old Tiger Stadium (Detroit) vendors had a squeeze bottle with mustard which they would gladly apply (to the dog NOT the bun). Anyone requesting ketchup was subject to ridicule after which the vendor would pass down a couple of packets, which the customer had to apply themselves. My best hot dog memories were had at Tiger Stadium. Back in my day, though, the mustard was applied (to the dog) with a wide wooden stick that was left in a pail of mustard. I don’t think the vendors even carried ketchup back then. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/45 "2014-09-05T13:32:11Z")
> [@Srsly\_Dad](#): > > Heretic - Ketchup does not belong on a proper hot dog. > > At the old Tiger Stadium (Detroit) vendors had a squeeze bottle with mustard which they would gladly apply (to the dog NOT the bun). Anyone requesting ketchup was subject to ridicule after which the vendor would pass down a couple of packets, which the customer had to apply themselves. Poppycock. Catsup and hot dogs are mutually inclusive. Which is to say that catsup is only edible if it’s on a hot dog, and hot dogs are only edible if they have catsup on them. And anyone in any level of food service who would ridicule a customer, openly or behind their back, over a condiment choice is an eternal newbie who shouldn’t even be trusted to empty the wastebaskets, let alone handle food. The only place mustard belongs is in a landfill as far from civilization as possible. ---
**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 5, 2014, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/46 "2014-09-05T13:46:47Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > And anyone in any level of food service who would ridicule a customer, openly or behind their back, over a condiment choice is an eternal newbie who shouldn’t even be trusted to empty the wastebaskets, let alone handle food. Probably best to stay away from Gene & Jude’s, then. 😉 (It’s a an old-school hot dog place just outside of Chicago. They don’t even carry ketchup–not even for the fries. You have to go to the McDonald’s up the street if you really want ketchup.) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/47 "2014-09-05T13:54:12Z")
Do you apply the mustard at the condiment stand, or take a bottle back to your table? ---
**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:** [September 5, 2014, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/48 "2014-09-05T13:57:00Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > And anyone in any level of food service who would ridicule a customer, openly or behind their back, over a condiment choice is an eternal newbie who shouldn’t even be trusted to empty the wastebaskets, let alone handle food. > > The only place mustard belongs is in a landfill as far from civilization as possible. Any customer who thinks they are always right needs to get tossed to the curb. That way civilized folks don’t have to witness their depraved tastes. ---
**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 5, 2014, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/49 "2014-09-05T14:07:52Z")
> [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > Do you apply the mustard at the condiment stand, or take a bottle back to your table? Which post is this in response to? Anyway, most hot dog places around here don’t have condiment stands. The only place I remember using a condiment stand for a hot dog is at a ballpark. You tell the guy what you want on your dog. There might be a yellow squeeze bottle of mustard around, though. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/50 "2014-09-05T14:08:14Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > And anyone in any level of food service who would ridicule a customer, openly or behind their back, over a condiment choice is an eternal newbie who shouldn’t even be trusted to empty the wastebaskets, let alone handle food. Hear him, hear him! I imagine that in mass producing hot dogs, it is easier to put the dog on the bun and then ask the customer which condiments he desires. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/51 "2014-09-05T14:09:58Z")
First of all, ketchup is only appropriate for 3 things in this world: 1) a dip for french fries, 2) an ingredient in russian dressing and its variants and 3) a topping on a White Castle slider (assuming that the fried onions are on it as well). On non-White Castle burgers, it’s only good if there is also mayo on it (the combo is basically russian dressing anyway). Secondly, if the hot dog’s only condiment is mustard, then the positioning of the mustard is dependent on the thickness of the weiner. If it’s a fat weiner, it’s better to apply the mustard to both sides of the weiner in between the bun and meat, but only after the weiner has already been placed on the bun. But never directly on the bun. This type of application will prevent mustard from getting onto onto one’s lips and face. If it’s a skinny weiner, then on top is better since there is little risk of dirtying up the face. Now, if there other approved condiments involved (such as sauerkraut, onions, relish, chili, etc.), then the mustard goes directly on the weiner and then the other condiments go on top of the mustard. ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/52 "2014-09-05T14:26:31Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > It doesn’t _have_ to go on the hot dog. > > It can also go on the chili that is on the hot dog. Preposterous. Mustard clearly goes on _under_ the chili, directly touching the meat. Hot dogs (also baloney) can _only_ be edible when in physical contact with mustard. Onions and cheese go on top of the chili. Please update your manual accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/53 "2014-09-05T14:31:03Z")
If you put the mustard on the bun it’s too spread out and soaks into the bun. Mustard on your weiner gives you a more direct mustard taste and you can use less of it. Ditto the catsup. Onions can go either on the bun or weiner, it makes no difference. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/54 "2014-09-05T14:55:23Z")
I’m admittedly wishy-washy on this topic. If I don’t care whether I get mustard in the moustache, it goes on top of the dog. If I’m trying to be more civilized, the stripe goes on the bottom of the bun. The bottom method does require a bit more mustard, as there are now barriers between the mustardy goodness and taste buds. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/55 "2014-09-05T15:04:01Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Well, that’s why I put it on the hot dog. It doesn’t taste as good to me when it’s soaked into the bun. It puts the mustard on the skin, or else the bun will soak it in. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/56 "2014-09-05T15:08:42Z")
Huh. . . I’ve always put it on the bun. . . I guess my mama didn’t raise me right after all! ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/57 "2014-09-05T15:17:15Z")
Is it time to start the whole yellow mustard vs brown mustard debate now? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/58 "2014-09-05T16:18:15Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > Is it time to start the whole yellow mustard vs brown mustard debate now? 😃 As it happens, a few months ago I did just [that](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=716900). ---
**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 5, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/59 "2014-09-05T16:50:57Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > Is it time to start the whole yellow mustard vs brown mustard debate now? 😃 For a simple hot dog, as I said above (I think), it’s yellow mustard, or possibly a bland brown mustard like Gulden’s. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514/60 "2014-09-05T16:55:31Z")
> [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > On the meat, then spin it! As a girl I knew in high school used to say, “sit on it and rotate.” Seriously, these are _hot dogs_ we’re talking about here - those cylinders of meat made out of all the parts of the animal (which can vary) that nobody wants for anything else. I can understand that there’s a right or wrong way to cook and eat a filet mignon, but AFAIAC, eat hot dogs any way you damn well please. “Hot dog purist” should be an oxymoron. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-mustard-applied/697514.md?page=4)