The Role of Hot Dogs in American Culture and Diplomacy

In the nineteenth century, Indiana implemented strict ‘blue laws’ to protect Sundays from distractions like alcohol and even hot dogs. This move is pivotal because it marks the first recorded use of ‘hot dog’ in American print. According to the Evansville Courier & Press, published on September 14, 1884, street vendors were prohibited from selling hot dogs on Sundays. German sausages such as weisswurst, bockwurst, and blutwurst were quickly becoming as popular in the United States as baseball.

Bruce Kraig, author of Hot Dog: A Global History, notes, “Hot dogs become embedded in American culture. They become completely associated with ballparks by the 1890s.” The famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in New York established a connection between hot dogs and the nation’s birthday celebration.

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council identifies 19 regional hot dog variations, ranging from the French fry-topped Cleveland ‘Polish boy’ to the bacon-wrapped Sonoran dog and the famed Chicago dog, with its seven unique toppings and poppy seed bun. Despite these regional distinctions, hot dogs have also played an unusual role in international relations, part of what the U.S. National Archives refers to as ‘hot dog diplomacy.’

With World War II on the horizon, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited America, the first reigning British monarchs to do so. To the surprise of FDR’s mother, the Roosevelts served them hot dogs. The king reportedly asked for seconds, as noted by The New York Times.

Witness other renowned figures being introduced to the American hot dog. President Kennedy enjoyed one at the American League opener in 1963, while Nikita Khrushchev tasted one during a tour of a Des Moines Packing Co. plant in 1959. Fidel Castro took a hearty bite of a hot dog during a visit to the Bronx Zoo the same year. Khrushchev famously commented on America’s superior sausage-making skills, claiming, “You have beaten us in sausage-making.”

Fans from around the globe cherish their preferred hot dog experiences. Gloria Ousset from Argentina, during a visit to the New York area, stopped by Walter’s Hot Dogs. She fondly recalls the crunch their exclusive blend of beef, pork, and veal offers, a flavor reminiscent of her homeland’s past.

Hot dogs represent more than a fast food option. Artists Jen Catron and Paul Outlaw installed a remarkable 65-foot hot dog sculpture in Times Square in 2024, which at noon daily releases confetti in an eye-catching display.

In 2023, comedy writer Jamie Loftus launched her book, Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs, following her trek across America exploring diverse hot dog joints. Loftus reflects on the hot dog as a dual symbol of joy and nostalgia for many Americans.

This article is part of a series titled ‘American Objects’ to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.