The US have an affinity with hot dogs like no other, whether it's at a baseball game, off the BBQ or a lunchtime sidewalk snack, this July they're to be feted even more as it's National Hot Dog Month in America. We recently put together a foodwatching report on hot dogs over on our trendhub to take a closer look at what's happening in the hot dog scene.
We know the line between casual and fine dining is blurring more than ever, with high-end institutions and classically trained chefs happy to serve up anything from sandwiches to burgers. Now we're seeing another street food favourite benefitting from the ever-blurring food boundary as hot dogs get a new lease of life.
There's more ways to enjoy your dog than ever, with the traditional grilled or BBQ'd methods being joined by the increasingly popular steamed technique made famous by Montreal hot dog vendors, steaming both bun and hot dog. There's also the deep fried method, or even the 'swizzle' or 'slash-cut' dog, whereby the dog is sliced deeply before grilling to create extra edges.
We're seeing marvellous mash ups between typical US state options, as well as influences from other cuisines creeping into hot dog creation. And then there's the removal of the bun entirely... take a look at the full hot dog report over on our trendhub here.
In the US hot dogs are synonymous with the nation's independence, and it's expected that Americans consume 150 million hot dogs on July 4 alone. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council in America has put together 25 hot dog facts for July's National Hot Dog Month. Read them here.