Hot Diggity Dog

We all know there is only one way to eat a hot dog in Chicago and it most certainly does not include ketchup, however, other parts of the country can and do dress their dogs a little differently!

For me, a hot dog once a year at a summer BBQ is enough, but since July is National Hot Dog Month, it’s hard not to ponder the fact that the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates Americans are going to devour 6 billion wieners between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It always amazes me to see the eating competitions where entrants wolf down record numbers of dogs in one sitting.

If, like me, you'd prefer to relish some books about hot dogs instead of chowing down, the following titles are sure to please.

The city will suffer a culinary loss when the venerable Hot Doug’s closes its doors in October. Luckily, owner Doug Sohn has left an account of the landmark eatery in his book, Hot Doug'sranging from the foie gras city hall showdown to tattoos.

Readers will relate to Vienna Beef executive Bob Schwartz’s book Never Put Ketchup on A Hot DogSchwartz shares great memories of Chicago hot dog stand owners, their customers and their #1 rule.

A final alternative is Jason Fagone’s account of the world’s eating competitions in Horsemen of the EsophagusIt’s interesting to find out what drives these competitors!