We’re getting ready for National Hot Dog Day, July 20th this year (it’s the third Wednesday in July). We’re serving some creative hot dog toppings—no mustard, ketchup, relish, and sauerkraut this year.

You can set up a DIY hot dog bar with the toppings below, and let guests create their “signature” hot dogs.

Mustard and sauerkraut were served on America’s first hot dog, back in 1871, when a German-born vendor with a stand in Coney Island began selling a thin, Frankfurt-style sausage in rolls. (In fact, Frankfurt, Germany claims to be the originator of the hot dog and celebrated the hot dog’s 500th birthday in 1987.)

Sausages that didn’t require eating utensils: simple, but breakthrough! Here’s a longer history of hot dogs.

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council established National Hot Dog Day in 1991 to coincide with a hot dog lunch on Capitol Hill. The observance occurs every year on a Wednesday in July.

If you can’t celebrate the hot dog on July 20tyh, all of July is National Hot Dog Month. There are also:

 
 
DADDY’S: WHAT’S ON YOOUR DOG?

Take some inspiration from the best hot dogs in Nashville: Daddy’s Dogs. Daddy’s is always pushing the limits of what a hot dog should be, surprising customers with new concepts in dogdom. It has been named Best Hot Dog in Nashville for several years.

Daddy’s Dogs is not your average-size hot dog.

Sean Porter, a.k.a. Daddy, the founder, was a road manager for musicians, finding himself in a new city every few days. He experienced the different flavors of America, and was inspired to create hot dog toppings with them.

Consider topping your own dogs with some of Daddy’s favorities:

 
There’s also a corn dog: dipped in beer batter, fried, and served on a stick.

Plus, three types of tots, regular plus:

There’s lots more to enjoy at Daddy’s Dogs. Check out the website.

By the way, according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, it should take you 5 bites to finish one hot dog. For a foot-long, 7 bites.

As for the contestants at the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island, champion Joey Chestnut manages to eat two hot dogs together in three bite (see it on YouTube, but don’t try this at home).

[1] Carolina hot dog with bacon, cream cheese, grilled onion, jalapeño, pickle, and Daddy’s secret sauwce [their spelling](all photos © Daddy’s Dogs).

[2] Chicago hot dog with pickle, onion, tomato, and mustard. Simple enough!

[3] Chili hot dog with chili, cheese, onion, and sour cream.

[4] Elote hot dog with bacon, cotija cheese, grilled corn, Daddy’s secret sauwce, and a lime wedge.

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