You insolent, ketchup-eating, poor excuse for a hotdog eater!
Ever had some bonehead ask you “Hey, how come you don’t put ketchup on your dogs in Chicago?” If so, this little nugget from the Straight Dope archive gives you plenty enough fuel to give said question-asker a firm verbal spanking. Some highlights include…
“This is like asking why Leonardo didn’t paint the Mona Lisa on black velvet”
“Mel Plotsky opened our discussion by describing the condiment as a ‘catchall of garbage’.”
“Behold this creature that walks like a man. It wants ketchup on its hot dog.”
For more excellent information on condiments, also read What makes mustard so mustardy? and Why does ketchup dissolve aluminum foil?
I must confess: in addition to my weakness for the vile and loathsome McRib, I also put ketchup on my hot dogs. However, I don’t eat them with ketchup and peanut butter as a childhood friend of mine did.
I, too, put ketchup on my dogs. I grew up in the burbs though, so I’m not held to the same expectations as those who grew up in the city. I don’t, however, put ketchup on my polish dogs…well, not always…
At least I don’t put mayo on my fries.
Am I one of the few that does NOT put ketchup on their dog? I grew up in the city and just got used to not having it on there. My parents probably didn’t notice since I was such a picky eater and the only thing that I would eat was hotdogs.
I grew up in the burbs, but my dad was a south sider through and through. therefore, I put ketchup on my hotdog once before I got a lesson on Chicago Style dogs. My brother is the same way.
I used to tell people who were visiting me that they would get arrested if they put ketchup on their hotdogs while in the city.
Hell, when I have hot dogs in other cities, I come close to gagging when they ask if I want ketchup.
So Irene, you are not alone.