Hot dogs are classic. Whether you enjoy them most at a baseball game, a family barbeque, or just from the comfort of your own home (we think they taste mighty fine everywhere), they’ve been a staple in most Americans’ diets for as long as they can remember. And since they’ve been around for so darn long, it’s unlikely that many people give much thought to some of the wacky and little known facts about this tasty food we all know and love.
That’s why today we’re testing your knowledge! Tell us, how many of these hot dog facts did YOU know?
- Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans consume seven billion hot dogs.
That’s a lot of hot dogs, especially considering there are only roughly 325 million people living in the United States.
- The true origin of the hot dog is a mystery.
There are several conflicting claims of how this modern-day twist on sausage came to be, but there’s still no consensus.
- We do know, however, that hot dogs have been around for over one hundred years, and possibly much longer.
One claim even dates back to 1487!
- According to the dictionary, a hot dog is a sandwich…
But read our post here on why we think not.
- Hot dogs have been sent to space.
Believe it or not, astronauts weren’t really fans of freeze-dried ice cream. What they did enjoy though? Hot dogs!
- A hot dog once sold for $169.
The world’s most expensive hot dog sold in Seattle, Washington, and it was smothered in butter Teriyaki grilled onions, Maitake mushrooms, wagyu beef, foie grass, shaved black truffles, and Japanese mayonnaise.
- Mustard is the most popular hot dog topping.
According to a 2014 survey, 71 percent of Americans prefer to garnish their hot dogs with mustard. Are you one of them? Check out our post on 9 Unique Hot Dog Toppings You Need to Try Now for a new spin on this American classic.
- A competitive eater once ate 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
We obviously love hot dogs around here, but 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes? Pretty crazy!
- 7-Eleven sells 100 million hot dogs per year.
Again, that’s a lot of hot dogs! Therefore, it’s no surprise 7-Eleven is the largest hot dog retailer in the country.
- If you ask for a hot dog in New Zealand, you’ll receive it battered on a stick like a corndog.
If you want it on a bun, you’ll have to ask for an “American hot dog”.
How many of these hot dog facts did you know? Send us a tweet and let us know which one surprised you the most!
