Hot dogs are considered to be “All American”. Between Memorial Day and Labor’s Day, an estimated 7 billion hotdogs are eaten by Americans alone, according to CNN. This specific style of sausage has no specific origin, but it is said to be believed that it was native to Eastern Europe, particularly Germany. 

When it arrived in the United States, the traditional German hot dog was a mixture of beef and pork. It then became the all-beef hot dog today, taken from its roots from Jewish-American butchers, who could not use pork due to Kosher restrictions. 

Since hot dogs were brought over from German immigrants in the mid-1800s, they made their way to New York City hot dog carts as New Yorkers preferred to eat on the go. 

Charles Feltman developed the modern hot dog bun by using a hand-sliced bun. It became popular and the first summer on Coney Island, the cart sold roughly 4,000 hot dogs. Because of the increase in popularity in 1873, Feltman entered a restaurant and hotel partnership that opened a resort on Coney Island.   

According to USA Today, in 2019, a survey was conducted to discover which topping was the most popular. Out of the 1,000 serveyed, 33% reported mustard as their favorite, and 30% chose ketchup. Onions were at 11% and relish had 10%. 

Where can you get hot dogs in Pennsylvania? The most recognizable hot dog place is Spot Dog. Today, Spot Dog serves their hot dogs during the Senators’ games at Metro Bank Park. Another long time establishment is Jimmy the Hot Dog King and uptown Harrisburg. Of course, we can’t forget Sheetz and Sonic Drive-In-dogs. 

On National Hot Dog Day, which is Wednesday, July 21, 2021, where would you go to get your hot dogs?