There are few things more American than the hot dog. After all, on the day that we celebrate the birth of our nation we choose to do so with a hot dog eating contest. Today is National Hot Dog Day and there are all sorts of ways that you can get out and celebrate the all-American delicacy.
What better way to celebrate National Hot Dog Day than with free (or very cheap) hot dogs?
The convenience chain that was kind enough to give us free Slurpees earlier in the month is giving customers free hot dogs if they download a coupon from the 7-Eleven app.
QuickTrip is also gifting customers with free food if they bring in a coupon that can be printed off of the convenience store's website.
Sonic isn't quite as generous as others but their dogs look a bit more appetizing. For only $1 customers can purchase an All American or Chili Cheese dog from the drive-in eatery.
If you're willing to shell out a little more cash for your hot dog check out one of these famous hot dog eateries:
Hot Doug's: The line for this Chicago "Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium" is often around the block. They offer up everything from the standard Chicago Dog (mustard, tomatoes, onions, sport peppers, relish, dill pickles, and celery salt on a poppy seed bun) to the exotic (the Victoria Desiree is a curry pork and veal sausage with spinach raita, sun-dried tomatoes and haloumi cheese).
Crif Dogs: This New York eatery proclaims itself to be NYC's #1 Wiener, although mayoral candidate Anthony might dispute that. The joint stays open until 2 a.m. tonight so you can top off your National Hot Dog Day celebration with one last dog. We suggest you make it a Chihuahua: a bacon wrapped hot dog with avocadoes and sour cream.
Sammy's Wild Game Grill: If you want to avoid the tedium of beef or pork based hot dogs this Houston restaurant has a solution for you: game. They highly recommend the pheasant dogs and also offer buffalo and venison wieners.
If you don't feel like going out you can always fire up the grill and make your own hot dogs and have a celebration at home. It doesn't matter if you go crazy and cover your dog with chili, cheese, sauerkraut and mustard or just have a plain boiled dog with ketchup; everyone likes hot dogs.
On this National Hot Dog Day remember the words of a wise man, Hot Doug's owner Doug Sohn:
"There are no two finer words in the English language than 'encased meats,' my friend."
