Photo of the Day: Patriotic Hot Dog from Nathan's
"It is hard to argue that the frank at Nathan's is not the quintessential American hot dog," says Nick Solares in his post about the original Nathan's at Coney Island. The frank's patriotic quality stands out in his photo of the hot dog against a backdrop of the American flag—it's an ideal food for the 4th of July.
We first saw this photo in Nick's Photograzing post. Be sure to share your most photogenic eats at Photograzing, Serious Eats' new food photography-sharing site.
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8 Comments:
Hokay, here's the thing ... two posts ago we saw a good, solid post about regional hot dog styles and the associated meats. Now here's a post that exclaims, "It is hard to argue that the frank at Nathan's is not the quintessential American hot dog,"
Bull-hockey.
Here in Michigan where Nathan's only recently arrived, the "quintessential American hot dog" might be a Koegel or a Dearborn, which have been around numerous decades. In Toledo it might be a natural casing Hungarian from Packos or House of Meats. In Columbus, it might be the Bahama Mama from Schmidt's. And that's only traveling a few hundred miles from one to the other.
A thought: Other tastes exist outside NYC, and what's in NYC does not define American tastes. The first post was decidedly more correct.
LunaPierCook at 7:33PM on 07/02/08
The myriad of regional variations aside, the hot dog was invented in NYC in 1871 by Charles Feltman who opened the first Coney Island hot dog stand. Nathan Handwerker worked for him and later opened Nathans Famous in 1916 which remains the longest continuously operating hot dog stand in America. All other styles are a derivation of the Coney island hot dog, I agree that what is in NYC does not define American taste, unless it comes from NYC, as the hot dog most assuredly does.
Nick Solares at 8:09PM on 07/02/08
Hi Nick ... "the hot dog was invented in NYC in 1871" ... other references disagree, bringing up Johann Georghehner in the 1600's and his "little-dog" sausages, and the term "hot dog" coming possibly from cartoonist T.A. Morgan in 1900 or 1901.
The history of the thing is actually muddled. That the history of Nathan's is clear is one thing. To apply that to the rest of the country's styles (which shouldn't be put aside) not only discredits the myriad of flavors available, but also, going the other way, gives more credit to Nathan than on those he built his stand's success on.
My point is this: Nathan's doesn't stand alone, either in what occured before or what developed after ... just like Ray Kroc didn't invent the hamburger, and Col. Sanders wasn't the first to fry chicken.
LunaPierCook at 8:36PM on 07/02/08
If it ain't on a 'new england' style bun, served with gouldens spicy brown mustard with onions and relish, It's is not quintessential.
Duc_m750 at 10:46PM on 07/02/08
@Duc_m750, sounds good! Ya' know, I'm thinking a hot dog is simply a "quitessential American food" if the word has to be included somehow. I'll definitely try any an' all of 'em!
LunaPierCook at 5:19AM on 07/03/08
Nearly no "American" food originated in America.
Do you really want to claim the perversion of the sausage (the hot dog)
as an American original?
If you will admit that the hot dog is a sausage, then 1,600 is a little late; they have been around for 5,000 years.
Also, hot dog rolls suck.
Disclaimer: I don't live in America.
Don Luis at 6:24AM on 07/03/08
i love hot dogs and prefer nathan's or hebrew national which were not available in supermarkets down here in texas when i was a kid. if you wanted something other than oscar meyer, there were local sausages and brats available. luckily we are located smack dab between the hill country and louisiana! i think the hot dog is all american and will be grilling nathan's tomorrow.
Don Luis, the disclaimer was unnecessary ; )
p.s. the worst travel food experience i had was in france...we ordered "grilled sausages" and recieved a hot dog on a plate. it was pinkish grey.
eli225 at 12:11PM on 07/03/08
Charles Feltman served a German style beef and pork hot dog. When Nathan Handwerker opened Nathan's, he used a much spicier all beef dog. The recipe was handed down from his wife's family.
hotdoglover at 6:52AM on 08/16/08