The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council includes a full guide for etiquette in an online video, but here are just a few tips and tricks.
Don’t…
Use a cloth napkin to wipe your mouth when eating a hot dog. Paper is always preferable.
Do…
Eat hot dogs on buns with your hands. Utensils should not touch hot dogs on buns.
Do…
Use paper plates to serve hot dogs. Every day dishes are acceptable; china is a no-no.
Don’t…
Take more than five bites to finish a hot dog. For foot-long wiener, seven bites are acceptable.
Don’t…
Leave bits of bun on your plate. Eat it all.
Don’t…
Fresh herbs on the same plate with hot dogs over-do the presentation
Don’t…
Use ketchup on your hot dog after the age of 18.Mustard, relish, onions, cheese and chili are acceptable.
Do…
Condiments remaining on the fingers after eating a hot dog should be licked away, not washed.
Do…
Use multi-colored toothpicks to serve cocktail wieners. Cocktail forks are in poor taste.
Don’t…
Send a thank you note following a hot dog barbecue. It would not be in keeping with the unpretentious nature of hot dogs.
Don’t…
Bring wine to a hot dog barbecue. Beer, soda, lemonade and iced tea are preferable.
Don’t…
Ever think there is a wrong time to serve hot dogs.