The basic architecture of a hot dog is pretty straightforward. And the way to eat them comes down to basic ergonomics: start on one side and chomp away until you’ve reached the end of it. But unbeknownst to most, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) not only exists, but it’s also recorded its own hot dog etiquette guide. And after checking it out, it seems that some casual hot dog-eaters could very well be committing some serious cookout fouls.
To share the alleged proper way to enjoy this cornerstone of American cuisine, we’ve outlined the NHDSC’s dos and don’ts of hot dog consumption here. Some are objectively sound rules, but others have us shaking our heads. Forget everything you’ve learned about table manners, and dive in.
