# Why don't the major fast food chains serve hot dogs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 7, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483 "2011-04-07T02:04:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/41 "2011-04-07T15:15:08Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Weinerschnitzel has burgers too. Nice. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/42 "2011-04-07T15:15:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > They’re not great; but sometimes, as with Jack In The Box tacos, you just have to have a couple Wienerschnitzel chili-cheese dogs. When you want 'em, there’s nothing better. ‘Real’ chili dogs don’t hold a candle to them. Unfortunately, the one Wienerschnitzel I knew of up here is closed. > > I never went to a Pup’N’Taco, but I remember their ads. Dad and I were watching TV once, and I was flipping channels. I went from a religious station to a Pup’N’Taco commercial. The dialog came out as: > > **And the banquet was laid out on the table. > Pup’N’Taco! Pup’N’Taco! Pup’N’Taco!** > That’s good to know. Are they grilled? I could go to Dairy Queen, which is a fast-food burger joint that sells hot dogs. I could stop into a dive bar called Shorty’s in Belltown. I could go to Arco or 7-11. But it’s bloody difficult finding a grilled hot dog instead of one of those ‘roller dogs’. If you want a good dog in Seattle, there’s [(O’boy) O’Berto](http://www.obertosausagecompany.com/o/default.aspx) They have a factory outlet on Rainier Ave that sells lunch dogs most of the day. There’s also an Ale house in our neighborhood that has killer dogs on the kids menu form their family side. [Wedgwood Ale House](http://www.wedgwoodalehouse.com/) on 35th NE ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/43 "2011-04-07T15:19:19Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Around here McDonalds serves Bratwurst every now and again. Is that just local or do they do that nationwide? Emphatically (and quite sadly for me) local to you. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/44 "2011-04-07T15:28:20Z")
**picunurse** : That’s a bit of a hike from Belltown! There a hot dog place outside Westlake Center. (I keep wanting to call it Westside Pavilion!) They grill their dogs. I’ll have to wait for better weather before I go there again. Or else have a ‘warm dog’ when I get back to my desk. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/45 "2011-04-07T15:39:22Z")
I miss **corn dogs**. The mom & pop burger places sold them when I was a kid. One place made their own batter and made fresh corn dogs. I haven’t found a place that sells fresh corn dogs in at least 20 years. ☹ The frozen ones just aren’t the same. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/46 "2011-04-07T16:22:08Z")
_You ain’t nothin’ but a corn dog You’re a wiener wrapped in pone You ain’t nothin’ but a corn dog You’re a wiener wrapped in pone Put some mustard on ya In five bites you’ll be gone_ ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/47 "2011-04-07T16:44:05Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I miss **corn dogs**. The mom & pop burger places sold them when I was a kid. One place made their own batter and made fresh corn dogs. > > I haven’t found a place that sells fresh corn dogs in at least 20 years. ☹ The frozen ones just aren’t the same. Theres a place in West Allis that makes them like that (or at least they did. Haven’t been in there for a while due to diet restrictions). They were a taste of paradise!! And they only use BEEF hotdogs, no pig, no turkey, no chicken. > **[Index of /](https://www.sammystasteofchicago.com/)** ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/48 "2011-04-07T19:26:05Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > That’s good to know. Are they grilled? I could go to Dairy Queen, which is a fast-food burger joint that sells hot dogs. I could stop into a dive bar called Shorty’s in Belltown. I could go to Arco or 7-11. But it’s bloody difficult finding a grilled hot dog instead of one of those ‘roller dogs’. I haven’t been in there in a while but I’m SURE they’re grilled. It’s kind of their schtick - the menu is, like, three words. You can have a big burger, a huge burger, or a hot dog. That’s it. And fries. Not a whole lot of equipment. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/49 "2011-04-07T20:16:24Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > **picunurse** : That’s a bit of a hike from Belltown! > > There a hot dog place outside Westlake Center. (I keep wanting to call it Westside Pavilion!) They grill their dogs. I’ll have to wait for better weather before I go there again. Or else have a ‘warm dog’ when I get back to my desk. I forgot you don’t always drive into town, sorry. The Westlake place is good to know. Hubby loves his 'dogs. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/50 "2011-04-07T21:15:45Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I wonder if part of the reason for lack of hot dogs at many national fast-food chains is regional tastes in hot dogs (especially the toppings). What you get on a Nathan’s hot dog in New York is very different from what you’d get on a Portillo’s hot dog in Chicago. I doubt it, because there’s “generic” hot dogs available in both places as well. I think it’s mostly a logistical issue (no shared components with other things, tough to eat in car, etc) coupled with a “hard to make them distinct cheaply” issue. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/51 "2011-04-07T21:23:52Z")
I also feel compelled to note that McDonalds seasonally offers a Bratwurst, which (in this case) is basically a semi-spiced hotdog. It’s lousy, and probably the worst thing on their menu. And I know they test-marketed hot dogs at some point. Also, Dairy Queen has hot dogs 'round here, but I have no idea if that’s a regional item. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/52 "2011-04-08T04:34:04Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > I haven’t been in there in a while but I’m SURE they’re grilled. It’s kind of their schtick - the menu is, like, three words. Good: The dog was grilled. Fail: No chili. ---
**Author:** ![JFLuvly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac91a4/32.png) [@JFLuvly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JFLuvly)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/53 "2011-04-08T05:14:03Z")
I had a small drive in restaurant in the early 90’s and I sold foot long hot dogs. We deep fried them in the grease then threw them on the grill for a minute or so, people loved them. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/54 "2011-04-08T05:31:05Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Good: The dog was grilled. > > Fail: No chili. Check out Po Dogs on Capitol Hill (there’s also one on the Ave) - they’re grilled, and I _believe_ there’s chili. They’re also tasty, and they serve beer. ETA: now that I’ve been thinking about it for a couple minutes, I really want to go there for a dog. Too bad I already had dinner. ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/55 "2011-04-11T02:28:41Z")
In Japan, most McDonald’s restaurants offer hot dogs in their breakfast menu. [http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/menu/limited/mchotdog/](http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/menu/limited/mchotdog/) ---
**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:** [April 11, 2011, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/56 "2011-04-11T05:37:45Z")
Why should the fast food places sell hotdogs? You can always get them at gas stations. Those kind are a lot better than the kind you get at home. As for DQ: they also have a shtick: they sell footlongs, or, at least, they used to. That’s why I would always get a hotdog there–that and the free desert tokens which are sadly gone. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483/57 "2011-04-11T15:58:50Z")
I think it has a lot to do with how a chain can personalize what they sell. McDonald’s can easily mix together a bit of cow, kangaroo and some old shoe leather to produce what they market as the McDonald’s burger patty. Hot dogs require an extreme amount of processing that McDonald probably doesn’t want to invest in, just to come up with what may basically end up being nearly identical to an Oscar Mayer Weiner. In fact, they’d probably do better just by advertising that they were selling Oscar Mayer dogs since the brand loyalty is already there. Beyond the processing, in the end a hot dog is really defined by what you put on it. McDonald’s would have to make chili & Cheez Whiz available, and set up a condiment bar so that people could create what they feel is the “right” hot dog. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-major-fast-food-chains-serve-hot-dogs/577483.md?page=2)