Hot DogPalooza

A Memorial Day Celebration of America's Greatest Contribution to Food
📅 Memorial Day 2026 🕙 10 AM – 8 PM 🌭 9 Rounds · 7 People
The Format: 3–4 dogs per round, cut in halves or thirds. One dog, one region, one method. Eat everything. Regret nothing.
🌭 The Lineup 🌭
Time The Dog Toppings & Notes
10:00 AM
The Classic
Grill
Yellow mustard, sweet relish, white onion The baseline. The benchmark. Everything gets judged against this.
11:15 AM
Chicago Style
Grill
Vienna beef, poppy seed bun, yellow mustard, neon relish, sport peppers, tomato wedges, celery salt, pickle spear No ketchup. Don't even think about it.
12:30 PM
Jersey Ripper
Deep Fry
Fry until the skin rips open. Brown mustard. That's it. The split skin IS the topping. Don't overthink it.
1:45 PM
Coney Dog
Griddle
Chili (no beans), yellow mustard, fine-diced white onion, steamed bun Keep the chili warm. Ladle generously. Eat fast.
3:00 PM
Corn Dog
Deep Fry
Honey for dipping, yellow mustard on the side Fryer's already hot from the Ripper. Midday crowd-pleaser.
4:15 PM
Slaw Dog
Grill
Creamy coleslaw, yellow mustard, leftover Coney chili optional Southern-style. Use that leftover chili — don't waste it.
5:30 PM
NYC Dirty Water
Steam/Boil
Seasoned bath (onion, bay leaf, salt). Deli mustard, sauerkraut, plain soft bun. Start the bath at 5 PM. Dogs soak 20+ min before serving.
6:45 PM
CT Style
Griddle
Frankie's relish, butter-toasted New England split-top bun Keep it simple. Let the relish do the work.
8:00 PM
🎉 Maine Red Snapper
Grill
Natural casing red dog, high heat, yellow mustard only Listen for the snap. End on a high note.