My friend Mike made the following comment to the recent "First Stadium Dog" post:
that looks like a tasty dog. i almost fell out of my chair though at first because i thought i saw ketchup on it. whew, that was close.Rest assured, there was no ketchup on that dog. Just mustard and relish. June wasn't too fond of the relish, but that's a different subject. If you've known me for any length of time, you've likely been lectured by me on the subject of ketchup on hot dogs. Here are some old emails that detail my search for the origins of this belief. My efforts didn't turn up anything concrete, but I find the response from the curator of the Mount Horeb Mustard Museum to be priceless...
-----Original Message-----And here's one from the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council...
From: Lloyd
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2002 4:35 PM
To: curator@mustardmuseum.com
Subject: mustard on hot dog question
Hello,
I live in the metro Detroit area and grew up attending baseball games at Tiger Stadium. One of the first things I was taught is the proper way to eat a hot dog. I was informed that ketchup is illegal. Since then I've been anti-ketchup on hot-dogs. I've met people in other parts of the country that believe the same thing. Would you happen to know the history of this? In the early 80's at Tiger Stadium, I don't think the vendors even carried ketchup. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Lloyd
-----Response----
Dear Lloyd:
I don't know the history of "mustard-only" on hot dogs but I believe it is simply part of the natural evolution of humandkind from our origins as primitive apes. It is the only condimentally correct way to eat a hot dog.
Condimentally yours,
Barry Levenson
Curator
Mt Horeb Mustard Museum
-----Original Message-----Now don't get me wrong, I love ketchup, and I even like it on scrambled eggs. Just keep it off the dogs.
From: Lloyd
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2000 11:23 AM
To: jriley@meatami.org
Subject: hot dog etiquette question
hello,
i couldn't find another email address on the hot-dog.org website so my question is being thrown your way. i noticed that on the hot dog etiquette list it is stated that after the age of 18, ketchup is forbidden. From a very early age, i was taught that putting ketchup on a hot dog was punishable by death. Other people I know feel the same way as well. Yet some people have never heard about the ketchup restriction. Do you have any information on the history of the ketchup/ hot dog conflict?? I've searched all over the internet and I can't find a thing. Any information or leads would be greatly appreciated. Or, if you could forward this along to someone that might have some info it would be great. thank you very much.
sincerely,
lloyd
------Response-----
I would chalk it up to "conventional wisdom." I wrote the etiquette and based the rule on what I was taught growing up in Chicago. There, I ate hot dogs every day for lunch (with ketchup). But when I became an adult and started eating true Chicago Dogs from the carts, ketchup was not even offered as a condiment. On a news report, a police officer once joked that you could be arrested for putting kethcup on a hot dog in Chicago.
I have never seen an official reference to the prohibition, but I put people who put ketchup on hot dogs in the same category as people who put it on eggs...yuk.
Sorry I don't have anything more historical to offer!
Janet
National Hot Dog & Sausage Council
7 comments:
You know exactly what you are talking about Lloyd. Tiger Stadium is where I learned to eat hot dogs too, and it was always mustard and that's it. As I kid I went to a game at Dodgers Stadium in LA and was flabbergasted to see a condiment stand with onions, relish, and yes, ketchup. I didn't understand why you would, let alone that you could, put anything on a baseball hot dog other than mustard. I'm ashamed to admit that Cooper doesn't like mustard, but I'm giving him some time.
P.S. I was at the winning games in 1984 btw, both the playoffs and the World Series. I remember that amazing Gibson home run with awesome clarity. What a night!
Also, a big congratulations to you guys! Can wait to hear all about the newest little pickle!
Kelly,
No need for concern. The National Hot Dog & Sausage Council's article, "Hot Dog Etiquette: Everyday Guidance For Eating America's Sacred Food," states, "Don't use ketchup on your hot dog after the age of 18. Mustard, relish, onions, cheese, and chili are acceptable." Cooper certainly has some time.
Maybe scare tactics will help. According to Barry Levenson, curator of the Mustard Museum, "Ketchup is the leading cause of childhood stupidity."
oh, lloyd, you do amaze me. i will never forget the lecture i received from you re: mustard/dog at the brewers game.
congrats to both of you, and june, on the new baby growing.
aaw june's so cute. i do preach to my friends about the no-nos of ketchup on hotdogs. And, Lloyd, forgive me, but i will admit i like just a little bit on occasion at the end of my hot dog, and always comment when i add the touch that my brothers would 'kill' me if they knew.-- but since it's a tiny bit, it doesn't really count-- kind of like when i eat only the tops of muffins or eat a cookie one quarter at at time.. and cuz i'm in San Diego so a lot of people don't get it.. but at least i can't get sushi at Petco park like i could if i dared at Angels Stadium. how's that for a justification... now you can't disown me as your sister. ;0)
I'm w/ you there Lloyd, mustard, no ketchup. Now that's a proper way to dress up a hotdog. I haven't been to Dodger Stadium since I was young 'un, but I've got fond memories of my Dad (he was the coach) taking our little league team to Dodger Stadium and enjoying a Dodger Dog. That was back in the day w/ guys like Davey Lopes, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey. I can't believe I still remember most of the infield. I think it was 50 cents to sit in the outfield bleachers. If y'all are ever in LA and catch a game you've got to try one. But you know my judgement is biased towards those hotdogs since I grew up there.
Katye,
The fact that you don't put sushi on your hot dogs is no justification for putting on ketchup. This is very alarming. I've failed as a brother :)
Rob,
I've heard good things about those Dodger Dogs. I'm ready.
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