Not only do hot dogs taste amazing, but they’re also the centerpiece of a colorful, worldwide culinary history, which makes for many fascinating trivia questions.
Imagine this… A laid-back evening filled with the sizzle of grilling hot dogs, the satisfying crack of opening cold beers, laughter and chatter filling the air as everyone tries to answer trivia questions about this iconic food.
Welcome to Hot Dog Trivia Night, where we celebrate the many ways to craft and cook a hot dog in all its delicious forms, from the streets of New York City to the far reaches of Seoul.
From history to preparation, toppings to brand slogans, we’ll explore a world of hot dog knowledge.
So grab a bun, load up your favorite toppings, and let’s dive into some juicy hot dog trivia!
1. What country is widely considered to have invented the hot dog?
A: Germany
The hot dog is believed to have originated in Germany, where they have a long history of producing various types of sausages, known as “wurst” in German. A popular type, the “Frankfurter Wurstchen,” is thought to be a precursor to the modern hot dog.
2. When is National Hot Dog Day celebrated in the United States?
A: The third Wednesday in July
National Hot Dog Day varies each year because it’s set by the North American Meat Institute as part of National Hot Dog Month, which is in July. They typically choose the third Wednesday of July for National Hot Dog Day.
3. What city is known for its “dirty water dogs”?
A: New York City
The term “dirty water dog” is often used to refer to hot dogs that are boiled and kept warm in a vat of hot water, which is a common preparation method for street vendors in New York City.
4. In what year did Nathan’s Famous first open?
A: 1916
Nathan’s Famous is a renowned American company that operates a chain of fast food restaurants specializing in hot dogs. The original Nathan’s restaurant is situated at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, a neighborhood in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
5. What is the name of the famous hot dog stand in Los Angeles that celebrities often frequent?
A: Pink’s Hot Dogs
Since 1939, Pink’s has been serving up a variety of gourmet hot dogs to Los Angeles residents and celebrities alike.
6. What is the name of the hot dog commonly served during baseball games?
A: The “Ball Park” hot dog
This term originated from the Ball Park brand, which has been a staple at baseball games and other sporting events since the 1950s.
7. Who invented the hot dog bun?
A: Charles Feltman
A German immigrant named Charles Feltman is credited with inventing the hot dog bun in 1867. He began selling sausages in rolls at his stand in Coney Island.
8. Which U.S. President reportedly served hot dogs to the King and Queen of England?
A: Franklin D. Roosevelt
In 1939, during a visit to the United States, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were served hot dogs at a picnic in Hyde Park.
9. What’s the traditional hot dog of the American Southwest?
A: The Sonoran hot dog
Originating from Sonora, Mexico, this hot dog has bacon wrapped around it and is grilled, then served on a bolillo-style bun and topped with beans, tomatoes, mayonnaise, onions, mustard, and jalapeno salsa.
10. What U.S. city is known for its “half smoke” hot dogs?
A: Washington D.C.
The “half smoke” is a type of hot dog found in and around Washington, D.C. It’s a half-beef, half-pork sausage, with a spicier and smokier flavor than traditional hot dogs.
11. What company was known for its “Dodger Dog”?
A: Farmer John
The “Dodger Dog” is a hot dog named after the Los Angeles Dodgers and has been sold at Dodger Stadium since the 1960s. Unfortunately, Dodger Dogs were replaced in 2021.
12. What ingredient is typically found on a hot dog in Seattle?
A: Cream cheese
The “Seattle Dog” is a hot dog served with cream cheese, usually accompanied by grilled onions.
13. What country is known for its “completo” hot dog?
A: Chile
The “completo” is a hot dog loaded with various toppings, including avocado, tomato, sauerkraut, and mayonnaise.
14. What popular chain sells the “Whistle Dog”?
A: A&W
The “Whistle Dog” is a hot dog served with bacon and relish.
15. What is a “Corn Dog”?
A: A corn dog is a hot dog that is coated in a thick layer of cornmeal batter and then deep-fried.
16. Who started the hot dog restaurant chain “Wienerschnitzel”?
A: John Galardi
He started the chain in 1961 in Southern California.
17. What is the famous phrase associated with the hot dog brand Hebrew National?
A: “We answer to a higher authority”
This phrase is used to indicate the company’s use of kosher meat in their hot dogs.
18. What does “dragged through the garden” mean in hot dog lingo?
A: A hot dog topped with many different condiments and toppings
“Dragged through the garden” refers to a hot dog topped with many different condiments and toppings, most commonly used in the context of a Chicago-style hot dog.
19. Which country prefers their hot dogs topped with mashed potatoes and shrimp salad?
A: Sweden
In Sweden, hot dogs are often served in a bun topped with mashed potatoes, a creamy shrimp salad, and sometimes a drizzle of mayonnaise and ketchup.
20. What are hot dogs called in Australia?
A: Snags
The Australian version of a hot dog is a sausage served on a slice of white bread with grilled onions and a variety of sauces.
21. What is the average length of a hot dog?
A: 5 inches
Most commercially sold hot dogs measure about 5 inches in length, although they can range from mini 2-inch cocktail weenies to foot-long and even longer varieties.
22. Who introduced the hot dog to baseball games?
A: Chris Von de Ahe
Chris Von de Ahe, owner of the St. Louis Browns and a local bar, introduced hot dogs to baseball games in the 19th century.
23. Which U.S. city popularized the “Polish Boy”?
A: Cleveland, Ohio
The “Polish Boy” is a sausage sandwich that’s native to Cleveland. It features a link of kielbasa placed in a bun, and covered with a layer of french fries, barbecue sauce or hot sauce, and coleslaw.
24. What do you call a hot dog with no bun?
A: A “naked dog”
This term is often used at hot dog stands and restaurants.
25. What was the original price of a Nathan’s hot dog in 1916?
A: 5 cents
Nathan Handwerker, the founder of Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, started selling his hot dogs for 5 cents, half the price of his competitors at the time.
26. Which country has a hot dog stand that was granted a special exception to Unesco regulations?
A: Iceland
The hot dog stand, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsu, in Reykjavik was granted a special exception to Unesco regulations when the city center was designated a Unesco City of Literature due to its cultural significance.
27. What’s a “ripper” in hot dog lingo?
A: A “ripper” is a type of hot dog that’s deep-fried until the casing rips or bursts
This term is commonly used in New Jersey.
28. Which famous fast-food chain was first known for hot dogs, not burgers?
A: McDonald’s
It began as a hot dog stand in Monrovia, California, in 1937, owned and operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald.
29. What year was the term “hot dog” first attested in the Oxford English Dictionary?
A: 1894
The term “hot dog” was first attested in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1894.
30. Which state holds a hot dog festival every July in honor of its purported invention of the chili dog?
A: West Virginia
West Virginia holds the annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival in Huntington. They claim to have invented the chili dog, locally known as the “hot dog”, in the early 1920s.
31. What state is home to the “Slugger Dog” served at baseball games?
A: Kentucky
The “Slugger Dog” is a popular hot dog sold at Louisville Slugger Field, home of the Louisville Bats.
32. What is the “Hot Dog Dance” and where is it from?
A: The “Hot Dog Dance” is a recurring song and dance segment from the children’s television show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
33. Which fast food chain introduced the Pretzel Dog?
A: Sonic Drive-In
They introduced the Pretzel Dog, which is a hot dog served on a soft pretzel bun.
34. What famous rock band had a song called “Hot Dog”?
A: Led Zeppelin
“Hot Dog” is a song from their 1979 album “In Through the Out Door.”
35. Which popular pizza delivery chain in the U.S. once had a hot dog stuffed crust pizza?
A: Pizza Hut
In 2015, Pizza Hut introduced a pizza with a crust that was essentially made up of 28 hot dogs.
36. Which company created the first plant-based hot dog?
A: Beyond Meat
Beyond Meat introduced the first plant-based hot dog, Beyond Sausage, in 2017.
37. In which country is the hot dog commonly served with a slice of roasted or pickled cucumber?
A: Denmark
Danish hot dogs are often served with both raw onions and crispy fried onions, as well as a slice of pickled cucumber.
38. What is “Hot Dog Water” and where was it sold?
A: Hot Dog Water is a product that was sold for $37.99 a bottle at a festival in Vancouver, Canada
It was intended as a satirical commentary on product marketing and the use of misleading health buzzwords.
39. What is a hot dog called in Germany?
A: “Wurst” or “wiener”
The terms “Frankfurter Würstchen” or “Wiener Würstchen” specifically refer to what we would call a hot dog in English.
40. In what year was the first hot dog eating contest held at Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island?
A: 1972
The first official hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island was held in 1972.
41. In what year did Heinz introduce its first ketchup, which would later become a popular hot dog condiment?
A: 1876
Heinz introduced its first ketchup in 1876.
42. Which movie’s famous line is “Nobody, I mean nobody puts ketchup on a hot dog”?
A: Sudden Impact
This line is from the movie “Sudden Impact” (1983), spoken by Clint Eastwood’s character, Dirty Harry.
43. Who composed the jingle “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener”?
A: Richard D. Trentlage
Richard D. Trentlage composed the jingle “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener” in 1962.
44. Who invented the corn dog?
A: Carl and Neil Fletcher
Carl and Neil Fletcher are often credited with introducing the corn dog to America at the Texas State Fair in the late 1930s, although there are other claimants as well.
45. Which U.S. city is famous for its annual “Wiener Dog Races”?
A: Buda, Texas
Buda, Texas, is known for hosting the annual “Buda Wiener Dog Races”.
46. Who created the first vegetarian hot dog?
A: Yves Potvin
Yves Potvin, founder of Yves Veggie Cuisine, is credited with creating the first commercially successful vegetarian hot dog in the early 1980s.
47. What is the original name of the hot dog-shaped car used for marketing by Oscar Mayer?
A: “Wienermobile”
The hot dog-shaped car is called the “Wienermobile“.
48. Which Australian city is known for the “Democracy Sausage”?
A: Cranberra
The “Democracy Sausage” is a tradition of eating a barbecued sausage on election day in Australia.
49. Who said: “A hot dog at the ball park is better than steak at the Ritz.”?
A: Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey Bogart, the American film and stage actor, is credited with this quote.
50. What is the name of the test that determines if a hot dog’s juices are properly balanced?
A: The “snap” test
A hot dog should make a distinct snapping sound and then break apart when bitten, revealing a rush of hot, flavorful juices. This shows a good balance of casing and internal meat emulsion.
And there you have it, 50 trivia questions about the humble, yet incredibly varied, hot dog. We’ve journeyed through its rich history, global variations, notable eaters, and significant moments.
Whether you prefer yours with mustard, ketchup, or some unusual toppings, I hope these trivia questions have added to your appreciation of this universally loved food item. Who knew a simple sausage in a bun could serve up such a feast of trivia!
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