Not only is Memorial Weekend the unofficial start of summer, but it also kicks off a few other milestones: School's out for the summer and the Indianapolis 500 is Sunday. I remember going to the Indianapolis 500 time trials when I was little. It was loud, it was boring and we ate all the sandwiches we had packed in the cooler while we waited in the car in the parking lot for the gates to open. By the time we sat down in the stands, we were ready to go home.
Baseball season is upon us, and so are the thousands of pounds of hot dogs that will be consumed this summer. Yes, it is officially hot dog season as well.
Hot dogs are one of those mysterious foods like escargot; you don't want to think about what you are eating, just drown it in condiments and sauces and swallow.
Despite growing competition from other food options, ranging from sushi to tacos, hot dogs remain top dog, especially at baseball stadiums. According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, Americans eat an incalculable number of hot dogs each year.
But depending on what part of the country you live in, hot dogs preferences are as unique as the dialect spoken. Midwesterners eat more pork and beef hot dogs than any other region of the country. The semi-vegetarian Westerners top the list for eating the most poultry hot dogs, and Easterners prefer all-beef hot dogs and consume more than any other region of the country.
New Yorkers eat more hot dogs than any other group in the country and when you buy your hot dog in the Big Apple, it comes served with steamed onions and a pale, deli-style yellow mustard.
Chicago dogs are layered with yellow mustard, dark green relish, chopped raw onion, tomato slices, topped with a dash of celery salt and served in a poppy seed bun.
Buy one in the South and you'll end up with your dog "dragged through the garden" and topped with coleslaw.
In the Midwest, get the mints out. Hot dogs are served with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese on a sesame seed bun. Hey, that doesn't sound too bad. My Michigan is showing, isn't it? Someone pass the Tic Tacs, please.
Besides beer, a hot dog is a staple at ball parks and each one serves up their dogs their own unique way. Up at Coors Field in Denver, the Rockie Dog is of the footlong type topped with grilled peppers, kraut and onions.
The Fenway Frank as Bostonians know it, is the only dog to eat while watching the Red Sox. Boiled and grilled, the Fenway Frank is served in a New England style bun with mustard and relish. And for those of you who grew up in L.A., there is no equal to the Dodger Dog.
Let's not forget why Memorial Day was established in the first place. A federal holiday, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May to honor U.S. men and women who have died while in the military service. Be a proud American and carry on the tradition by flying your flags with pride. But remember, only at half-staff from dawn until noon when they are to be raised to full staff. Be safe.
Quote of the Week: "We like our beer flat as can be. We like our dogs with mustard and relish. We don't worry about the pennant much. We just like to see the boys hit it deep. There's nothing like the view from the cheap seats." — Alabama
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