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By David Sweet, About.com Guide to Camping since 1997

What Do You Like On Your Hotdog?

Friday May 15, 2009
Hotdogs are one of the most popular foods cooked at the campground. Who hasn't sat around a campfire at night roasting a hotdog on a stick. There isn't any right or wrong way to eat, prepare or top a hotdog. If you had a table full of condiments and you had just plopped a juicy hotdog in a bun, what toppings would you most likely choose to complete your dog?

My favorite combo is mustard, chili, shredded cheddar and chopped sweet onion. They call this a coney where I come from. What's your favorite? Take the poll. Multiple selections are allowed, so you may choose any combination of toppings for your hotdog.

If you have another way to garnish a hotdog, please click on the comments link below and tell us about it.

Comments
August 4, 2007 at 3:04 pm
(1) Lori says:

The best hot dog topping is not on your list! It’s called “Homemade Chili Sauce”. It comes in a little round jar–not actually home made–but it resembles the old-fashioned chili sauce that some of our grandmas made. Try it–you’ll love it!

August 4, 2007 at 6:11 pm
(2) mike says:

First off the hot dog itself has to have black grill lines or at least have some blackened char spots from cooking it. Then you need a good bun. A good dog without good bread is a waste. The bread must be thick enough to not break apart by the end of eating the dog but not too thick so that you think you are eating a loaf of bread. Now I am much more a fan of the Chicago dog than anything resembling a Nathan’s or Coney dog. But those dogs have their place too. I just think the perfect dog should have multiple flavors as you enjoy it. I put mustard, sweet relish, red onions, a TINY bit of catsup, and maybe some mild peppers. I think a dog like that makes for quite a meal!!!

August 9, 2007 at 4:06 pm
(3) Michelle Rene says:

Sauerkraut, sliced green olives, dijon mustard and ketchup of course!

February 22, 2008 at 9:31 am
(4) margeu says:

In the North Country of NYS, it is called a Michigan. A sauce made with chopped meat,tomato sauce, hot sauce,dry mustard, chili powder, and crushed red peppers. Put on mustard, michigan sauce and top with chopped onions. mmmm good

February 22, 2008 at 6:50 pm
(5) craig St. Louis says:

As you know, hotdogs originated in St. Louis, I think that if you finely chop white hot onion, dill pickles, and blend them with the cheapest yellow mustard you can get there you have the perfect hotdog…………thanx!!!!!!!!!!!

February 22, 2008 at 8:03 pm
(6) Racegirl says:

I like my dogs slightly burnt, I know thats weird. Raw onions and ketchup too.

February 22, 2008 at 11:21 pm
(7) Ray Anderson says:

I like to top a hot dog on a plate with hot chili, cheese, pickles and onions.
You have to eat it with a fork so no driving and eating.

February 24, 2008 at 10:46 pm
(8) marsha says:

We like Tomato Salsa on our Dogs

February 25, 2008 at 9:41 am
(9) Gary says:

You forgot one combo….

Just plain!!! I like to have my hot dog cooked with it burnt a little, put it on a good potato roll, and enjoy!!!

Of course I do like it with chilli, or mustard and raw onions….

February 28, 2008 at 4:16 pm
(10) JOE says:

OKAY THIS IS THE MEXICAN HOT DOG….
CHOPPED ONION AND TOMATOE,KETCHUP,MAYO,AND MUSTARD.PICKLED JALEPANOE SLICES ON A TOASTED BUN…..HMMM….YOU GOTTA TRY IT.

March 2, 2008 at 10:19 am
(11) Murch says:

There is only 2 ways to eat a hot dog in Chicago- charrred or boiled(beef). The condiments are as follows (some substitutions are allowed for alergies-LOL!)Poppy seed bun, mustard-NEVER ketchup, cucumbers sliced thin, and round with the skin, pickles sliced legthwise, chopped raw onions, tomatoes wedges, sport peppers, dark green relish and celery salt is a must! Try it you’ll like it!

September 26, 2008 at 10:46 am
(12) Stephanie says:

Okay. I know this is a bit strange, but I treat my hot dogs like a bologna sandwich. Isn’t a hot dog just a piece of bologna rolled up. I eat them cold, not cooked, with mayo and a piece of sandwich cheese on it. My kids prefer their hot dogs cold as well. Lately, I have been eating the non-fat hot dogs and the non-fat mayo. They are almost as good as the real thing! The cheese is a guilty pleasure. Turkey chili,Fritos and shredded cheese are also a favorite toppings at our house. It’s a chili pie on a bun.

September 26, 2008 at 5:27 pm
(13) Karen says:

I like everything on your list, just not all at once. I love mustard and sauerkraut, or mustard and relish, or cheese and home made chili. Yum, Yum, to all of them.

September 27, 2008 at 10:30 pm
(14) Craig says:

What do I like on my hot dog? I like a black burn-blister on one side, a very light sprinkling of ash all around, and just a hint of grit for added texture. No amount of post-grilling condiments can make up for these qualities!

September 28, 2008 at 7:29 pm
(15) Barbara Nan says:

Wow are we the only ones that are in on the TRUE secret to the best campfire dog?
Mustard, Dog, Pimento Cheese, Cole Slaw. In that order, Yummy.

September 29, 2008 at 9:14 am
(16) donna says:

in chicago we say, “never trust anyone who uses ketchup on a hot dog.. also what no tomatoes even listed as an option???

December 26, 2008 at 1:39 pm
(17) sks says:

Lori says: “Homemade Chili Sauce (Brand Name) in the round, small jars”.

I LOVE that stuff. If you mix 1/2 cup with a Tbs of horseradish, it makes the best shrimp cocktail sauce you’ll ever have.
But I’d *never* put it on a hot dog! Being from Chicago, I’m a hot dog purist and that chili sauce is too much like putting ketchup on a dog, which even Clint Eastwood has said, is a no-no.

May 15, 2009 at 11:54 am
(18) Dan says:

What an entertaining topic! The comments make up for only being able to pick one poll option. I chose chili dog, because I most had one last weekend while camping. If I could pick anything, I like how those Chi-town folks eat their dogs quite a bit. But the Man Vs. Food overloaded style is as disturbing to look at as it is delicious to eat, so that’s my honorable mention.

May 16, 2009 at 7:40 pm
(19) ann says:

Grilled with BBQ sauce and served on a fresh croissant.

May 16, 2009 at 10:50 pm
(20) Jocelyn says:

Our family likes bacon bits!

May 18, 2009 at 2:06 pm
(21) Nancy says:

barbeque beef with cheese sauce-known as a Nancy dog-. Dog has to be burnt on the outside and juicy on the inside. YUUUMMM!

May 18, 2009 at 5:12 pm
(22) snoopy65 says:

I like my hot dogs grilled with mustard and onions. I also like it with chili sauce. I like my buns toasted

May 22, 2009 at 9:52 am
(23) jack says:

light dash of celery salt
mustard
thin pickle spear
tomato spears
habanero hot sauce
onion
- all as long as the hotdog is cooked over campfire or charcoal

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