Hot Dogs at the Ball Park

Hot dogs never taste as good as they do at the ballpark.

Of course, they taste even better with a super cold beverage of choice.

In the spirit of baseball season, spring's arrival, and the excitement of a long summer full of seventh inning stretches and hot dogs and beers for everyone (except the kids, of course,) I'd like to share an interesting factoid about the elements that make for a "Real Chicago-Style Hot Dog."

"A hot dog in this city is a steamed or boiled all-beef, natural-casing hot dog on a poppy seed bun. It may be topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt - but no ketchup.

Chicago-style hot dogs with all the toppings are sometimes said to be "dragged through the garden" because of the unique combination of condiments. Chicagoans traditionally shun ketchup because of the belief that ketchup is redundant in the presence of sweet pickle relish."

This tasty bit of information was found in Peeling the Wild Onion, the newest cookbook from the Junior League of Chicago.

(While I dig their commitment to the sweet pickle relish, I sure am glad I have no allegiance to Chicago. As my best friend, Nicole, claims, "one should live life with ketchup!" I couldn't agree more.)

Regardless of whether you eat your dogs with relish, ketchup, mustard, or in the buff, celebrate this great time of year by getting to a ballpark, sitting in the cheap seats, and enjoying a big juicy dog.

Cheers.