Seattle-style hot dog
Alternative namesSeattle Dog
TypeHot dog
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateSeattle
Main ingredientsHot dog bun, hot dog, cream cheese, sauteed onions

A Seattle-style hot dog, locally referred to as a Seattle Dog, is a hot dog topped with cream cheese and sautéed onions and served in a pretzel bun that is often sold from late night or game day food carts in Seattle.

History

Although the origins are not clear, it has been adopted as a regional variation.[1] It is believed that the concept began in the Pioneer Square neighborhood in the late 1980s or early 1990s. One possible inventor is Hadley Long, a food vendor from Ohio who operated a bagel cart situated beside the Central Saloon at night. In 1989, in response to continual requests for hot dogs, Long acquired custom-made bialy-style buns on sticks from the Bagel Deli on Capitol Hill and incorporated hot dogs and cream cheese on them to sell to customers.[2][3]

Seattle Dogs increased in popularity at bars and music venues during the grunge movement of the 1990s. They are now often sold at bars and their surrounding street vendors at night.[4] They are also available at and near the city's sporting venues.[5][6] A vendor told The Seattle Weekly that he believed large crowds visiting stands outside of Safeco Field during the Seattle Mariners 2001 116–46 season was "the big boom"[2] for the recipe.

Preparation

The meat is typically grilled and the hoagie roll or bun is usually toasted. Polish sausage is common. Street vendors often cut the sausage down the middle to cook it quickly and all the way through.[7][8]

The use of cream cheese defines the Seattle-style hot dog. Sellers sometimes use pistol-grip sauce dispensers to quickly add the thick cream cheese. The owner of Dante's Inferno Dogs says that he was the first to introduce their use.[2]

Grilled onions are one of the most popular additions. Other toppings include jalapeños and other peppers, sauerkraut or grilled cabbage, and scallions. Condiments such as mustard (American yellow or spicy brown), barbecue sauce, and Sriracha sauce are favorites, while ketchup is used less often.[9][10][11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Raskin, Hanna Rachel (December 20, 2006). "Appalachian Hot Dogs". Mountain Xpress. Asheville, NC. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Raskin, Hanna (August 29, 2012). "Streets of Philadelphia". The Seattle Weekly. pp. 11–15. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  3. ^ Varriano, Jackie (July 1, 2022). "What makes the perfect Seattle dog? The creator and 4 other hot dog experts weigh in". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  4. ^ Hobart, Erica (February 12, 2010). "Are Cream Cheese Hot Dogs Really a Seattle Thing?". The Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on 2010-02-15. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  5. ^ Vrabel, Ani (30 September 2011). "The Football Hot Dogs of America". Esquire. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  6. ^ Johns, Greg (April 11, 2008). "Lots of New Food Items on Safeco Field Menu". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  7. ^ Browne, Rick (2011). 1,001 Best Grilling Recipes: Delicious, Easy-to-make Recipes from Around the World. Chicago: Surrey Books. p. 389. ISBN 978-1-57284-116-1.
  8. ^ Gilovich, Paula; Vogel, Traci (2001). The Stranger Guide to Seattle: The City's Smartest, Pickiest, Most Obsessive Urban Manual. Seattle: Sasquatch Books. pp. 64–65. ISBN 978-1-57061-256-5.
  9. ^ Belle, Rachel (August 31, 2012). "Cream Cheese + Hot Dog: The History Behind the Seattle Dog". Ring My Belle. KIRO. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  10. ^ Bauer, Jon (August 3, 2009). "In Our Frank Opinion". The Herald. Everett, WA. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  11. ^ Gold, Scott (2008). The Shameless Carnivore: A Manifesto for Meat Lovers. New York: Broadway Books. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-7679-2651-5.
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