The hot dog has its day with annual deals on Wednesday
The best day of the year is here for those who dig dogs — hot dogs, that is.
National Hot Dog Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, bringing windfalls for wiener lovers at regional and national restaurant chains.
Sheetz has issued a promotional email to its card members, offering two free hot dogs with any purchase ordered Wednesday using the convenience chain’s app. The offer is limited to one order per qualifying customer and doesn’t include extras or add-ons.
At 7-Eleven, hot dogs are being highlighted throughout July. According to Convenience Store News, the chain’s quarter-pound Big Bite beef hot dog is priced at $1, including free toppings such as chili, cheese, onions, relish, sauerkraut or salsa.
The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council recognizes July as Hot Dog Month, and the third Wednesday of that month is National Hot Dog Day.
From red-hot to tube steak, there are a number of different ways to refer to a hot dog, but some nomenclature reflects distinguishing factors.
Franks and wieners were named for the European towns were they originated — Frankfurter, Germany, and Vienna, Austria, respectively. Though the names today are often used interchangeably, according to the NHDSC, a frank is typically made from all beef, while a wiener includes pork.
There also are regional differences in what you can expect if you order a hot dog from a local vendor. In the Big Apple, hot dogs tend to be served with onions and a pale yellow deli-style mustard.
South of the Mason-Dixon Line, in West Virginia, you’re likely to get a dog topped with coleslaw and chili as well as mustard.
Whatever you call them, and however you serve them, Americans down a lot of dogs. Collectively, they consume about 7 billion between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Though seen as a cheap, ubiquitous food option, hot dogs have received the stamp of approval from both a legendary president and the residents of Buckingham Palace.
Franklin D. Roosevelt served hot dogs to the visiting King George and Queen Elizabeth in June 1939, and the king asked for seconds.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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