And your favorite hot dog is?

Pegeen, the food historian in me would like to know the answer to that question but I don't have it. I'm not from Chicago but I loved the city from the first time I set foot in it (unlike Dallas which I continue to hate. You would have to poke me in the eye with a stick to get me to go back there). Chicago has its own unique and wonderful traditions and I take great joy every moment I spend there---unless I get shot. That could happen.

Wow, no ketchup? I can live without it myself, mustard is king. But it's hard to believe generations of six-year-olds haven't rioted and burned down the stadiums. Do you happen to know the history behind the "no ketchup" story?

My favorite dog is an all beef kosher dog (usually Hebrew National, Sabarett or in a pinch Nathan's), lightly toasted roll with ketchup and yellow mustard - yep, I said it, Ketchup!

Being part of the Michigan Diaspora, I'll have a coney with onions and mustard while cheering on the Tigers. But that's actually my second-favorite hot dog, the first being a loaded-up Sonoran (wrapped in bacon, with refried beans, guacamole, crema, pickled jalapenos, and the hottest salsa on the cart).

littleman, fun read. Next time I'm lost in northern NJ will definitely look for Rutt's Hut.

Just came across this and it seemed interesting as of a few days ago:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/25/dining/dog-ziggity-new-jerseys-own-hot-dogs.html?hpw&_r=0

Anything from Top Dog in Berkeley, CA.

Not baseball driven, but a hot dog at Katz's deli, with spicy mustard and sauerkraut. Don't even try to argue. On a different wavelength: the hot dog special at Westville (W. 10th or W. 18th, probably the other branch too) - a choice of 2 Niman Ranch or Hebrew National dogs with fries, salad or a veg side du jour. One of the best deals around and super delicious.

http://www.nicksnestholyoke.com/ The only hotdog I will eat :( so so far away.

Definitely The Coney for me:http://food52.com/recipes/12333-the-coney
GO TIGERS!!!!!!

And what, pray tell, is disagreeable about a hot dog from Coney Island? New York City includes Brooklyn. :-) I lived close to the Gray's at 72nd & Bway for many years and was a loyal customer. I can't explain why, but Nathan's are better. Maybe it's the Coney Island sand condiment or the ride on the Cyclone.
And you can buy Nathan's nationally.

If I'm going to eat encased meat - as someone here called it - the best is Hallo Berlin's bratwurst or weisswurst. It's not a hot dog - it's wurst. They had a lunch cart at 54th & 5th, and a restaurant on 10th Ave in the 40s. Awesome.

Vienna Chicago style minus the celery salt and onions, or a brat, grilled onions, or one of the really good foot-longs from the super secret hotdog stand near the upper levels on the south-ish side of Wrigley. Oh wait, that would necessitate the Cubs making it to the post-season. I'll stick with the first two.

I ate so many hot dogs (dyed as red as could be) as a kid and now they don’t appeal to me. For some reason, I think American hot dogs contain a seasoning that I don’t like, because I’ve had Frankfurters here in Germany that taste just fine. Can’t imagine what the seasoning is because there are not many spices that I dislike. And there are very few sausages that I don’t like.

Nathan's, ftw!

My encased-meat-eating habits don't revolve around baseball, but I just had two Boccalone mortadella dogs for breakfast with pickled onions and spicy mustard. I wish I could do this every morning, but for several reasons I can't, including the fact that Boccalone only makes the dogs during baseball season.