Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
The 2008 event is scheduled for July 4, 2008 at 12 p.m. EDT. It will be televised live on ESPN.
George and Richard Shea, the two brothers who run the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s on Coney Island, are considering changing the duration of the competition from 12 minutes to 10 minutes, and some competitive eaters are finding the new rule hard to swallow. George Shea told the Brooklyn Paper that the change is being weighed after an investigation into the traditional time limit unearthed a 1986 Times article that clocks the contest at 10 minutes.

Therefore all qualifying rounds will last just 10 minutes this year, and the ultimate July 4th battle will likely be shortened to that time as well. The change has outraged reigning champ Joey Chestnut, who didn't edge out six-time champ Takeru Kobayashi until the last few minutes of last year’s contest. Chesnut calls the change “ridiculous.”

The Hot Dog Kids

What could be more patriotic than the Nathan's 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest? The annual hot dog eating competition held at Nathan's Famous original and best-known restaurant on Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. The competition is held each year on the 4th of July and is regarded world-wide as the most famous hot dog eating contest. The popularity of the Nathan's 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest has exploded to the point where now it's televised live on ESPN and draws millions of viewers.

There have been two main competitors at the Nathan's 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, one is America's own Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., who took the 2007 title back home by eating 66 hot dogs (that's hot dogs and buns) under 12 minutes for a new world record, beating his long-time adversary Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi from Japan. Takeru Kobayashi has taken the title seven straight times - from 2000 until losing in 2007 to Chestnut. But in 2008, at the online sportsbook BodogSports, Joey Chestnut is the favorite to win the Nathan's 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, listed with odds 4/5. The San José State University student entered the competitive eating scene in 2005 with a break-out performance in the deep-fried asparagus eating championship, in which he beat high-ranked eater Rich LeFevre by eating 6.3 pounds of asparagus in 11.5 minutes. That same year, during Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, Chestnut downed 52 hot dogs and buns, placing second behind Takeru Kobayashi.

The Hot Dog Kids

We're Back!



Hey just want to let you all know that we are back! We're so sorry that we have been out-of-touch for awhile. Hot Dog Girl and myself (Hot Dog Boy) have had some health things going on for the last couple of months. Seems that either she has been ill and in the hospital or I have. Whew! Guess we just haven't been eating enough hot dogs! You know what they say, " A hotdog a day keeps the doctor away"! Sooo.....being as July is National Hot Dog month and that this is none other than 4th of July we aim to get started right away! Viva La Hot Dogs!!

Now, on a serious note...We would just like to take a moment to say how proud we are to be Americans and to live in America where we are able to live in Freedom. We also recognize that Freedom isn't FREE and want to say Thanks to all those brave ones that have gone before us, those who fought and died and continue to do so everyday in order that we may enjoy our families, our celebrations our homes, friends and families and everything else we hold so dear. We live in Peace and we Thank you all so so much! We wish you all a very Happy, Safe and Dog Gone Great, 4th of July.... Now go Eat a Hot Dog!!

The Hot Dog Kids

NEW Hot Dog Grill Cooker

NEW perfectly grilled hot dogs
***** they won’t roll around or burn! *****

Never worry about burnt hot dogs again! This stainless steel rack cooks them from the inside out, and prevents them from rolling around the grill and into the coals. When grill season’s over, use in the oven.

Cook hot dogs, brats and sausages with less worry of burning them—and no turning! This ingenious rack transfers heat into the stainless steel tines, cooking food from the inside out. Holds up to six “dogs” at a time, and leaves more space on the grill for other foods. Also use to cook kabobs, shrimp, scallops and potatoes. Hooks under the grate for stability. Oven and dishwasher safe.
Source/Photo: www.solutions.com
the Hot Dog Kids

HOT DOG RECIPE of the WEEK

OUR BUNS ARE HOT FOR YOU

A hot dog bun is a type of bun shaped specifically to contain a hot dog. There are two basic types: top loading, which is popular in New England, and side loading, preferred in the West, Midwest and South United States.
The advantages to a top loader are that it holds the hot dog securely and fits nicely into little three sided paper boxes. Top loaders are generally baked side by side and torn apart as needed, leaving a flat side surface for grilling.
Side loaders tend to be doughier so are more likely to successfully sop up all the juices from chili or sauerkraut without falling apart.

Hot Dog Bun Recipe

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Baking Time: 10 Minutes
Ready in: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 egg

Directions:
1. In a small saucepan, heat milk, water and butter until very warm, 120 degrees F (50 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 3/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Mix milk mixture into flour mixture, and then mix in egg. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
3. Cover & let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1 hour). Punch down.
4. Shape each piece into a 6x4 inch rectangle. Starting with the longer side, roll up tightly, and pinch edges and ends to seal. Cover, and let rise about 20 to 25 minutes. These buns are pretty big and will make 14 to 16 hot dog buns. Place on a greased baking sheet.
5. Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

NOTE: Brush the tops of the hot dog buns with an egg white/water mixture before & half way through baking to get a nice brown, shiny top.

Source: allrecipes.com

The Hot Dog Kids

NEW (Mini) WEINERMOBILE

Hey, Looks like Oscar Meyer is downsizing as well!

Well at least one new Weinermobile is! The Wienermobile, with 72 years in service and a design more memorable than any other. At 27 feet in length, the legendary Hot Dog is also one of the bigger vehicles on the road, but that's all changed with the introduction of the MINI Cooper Wienermobile. At only 15 feet in length, it is a compact tribute to one of America's favorite foods (the Hot Dog). Oscar Mayer unveiled the Mini Wienermobile as part of a promotion celebrating the company's 125 years in business, though the company didn't say whether the MINI Cooper would remain in the Wienermobile fleet. While it wouldn't be right for the MINI Cooper to replace the original Wienermobile altogether as the official transportation for the world's biggest hot dog, we think it's certainly capable enough to join the fleet. Check out the video below.

It was invented in 1936 by Oscar's nephew, Carl G. Mayer. Oscar Mayer & Co. embraced new vehicles to advertise their product with the introduction of Oscar Mayer's trademark Wienermobile. The distinctive vehicles were very popular and are still used by Oscar Mayer today. Drivers of the Wienermobiles often hand out Wienerwhistles, toy replicas of the Wienermobile that double as whistles.The Wienermobile has been a success for Oscar Mayer, proving to be a unique means of advertising and marketing.





Source/Photos: New York Times via AutoblogGreen
the Hot Dog Kids

ICE CREAM HOT DOG

Ice Cream Hot Dog

In the United States, white-bread is treated as a grain, and used for making ‘wholesome’ sandwiches for children’s lunches. In Thailand, white-bread is treated as a dessert, like in the photo below "ice cream sandwich"- served with a hot dog, coconut and chocolate ice cream in a hot dog bun.
Source/Photo: My Bangkok - Land of Daily

the Hot Dog Kids

HOT DOG OF THE WEEK

Top Dog is the Top Dog in the SF Bay area and a craving for good Hot Dog. Top Dog is the place, they have six different locations (Berkeley, Oakland and San Jose) with twelve different frankfurters (Hot Dogs). A New York Style frankfurter, a la knackwurst German frankfurter, Bockwurst (german), Kielbasa (polish), Cooked Bratwurst (german) Genuine Old World Taste, Linguiça (portugese), Linguiça (portugese), Hot Link (louisiana), Bird Dog Turkey, Lemon Chicken, Smoked Chicken Apple, The Wienie (veggie). Top Dog opened the first location in Berkeley, CA in 1966 near the campus of UC Berkeley. Check the local store for hours.

Source/Photos: http://www.topdoghotdogs.com
Photos: http://www.yelp.com/biz/top-dog-4-oakland

the Hot Dog Kids

GREAT WALL OF WEENIES COMING SOON!

The great wall of weenies is coming soon, so if your a hot dog lover like we are, e-mail us with photos of you or your friends eating hot dogs your favorite hot dogs and/or hot dog places etc. The Funner, Funnier, and Funkier the better, but keep it Clean ok? and we may just post them on the Great Wall of Weenies on our blog. Send them to: hotdogkids@gmail.com

DOG (DAWG) OF THE WEEK

Olde Tyme Drafts & Dawgs

Famous Hot Dawgs and Cold Draft Beer

Originated by Dion Boeke, Olde Tyme Drafts & Dawgs is a fun-based concept restaurant that focuses on the simple good things in life. Cold beer, great dawgs and great times together with friends in a comfortable inviting atmosphere.
Offering towering tubes of ice cold draught beer, a wide variety of tasty brand name dawgs (check out the menu), and a unique assortment of European inspired games of chance and skill, Olde Tyme is a favorite place to grab a quick lunch, spend a lingering happy hour, and hone your gaming skills on unique amusements and games not found anywhere else. Home of the "HOT DAWG HALL OF FAME", we encourage you to get your name on the wall just by eating 8 or more of their classic house dawgs. Eat 20 dawgs in two hours, you become a plaque-holder on their Hall of Fame, you get a FREE T-shirt, and they pay for the DAWGS! This is the best deal in town!

Open from 11AM to 2AM, 7 days a week, 2479 South Broadway, Denver, CO

Chicago Dawg .........................Mexcian Dawg .........................Chili Dawg

Source/Photos: Olde Tyme Drafts & Dawgs
the Hot Dog Kids