13 Ways You Have Been Eating Hot Dogs All Wrong

Don’t let your dog run around naked! Dress not your bun, but your dog with sauces first. Then, AND ONLY THEN, you should pile-on all the messy goodness that is and will forever be your dry condiments (shredded cheese, onions, and relish).

Sun dried tomato, basil, or fancy-schmancy buns are totally overkill. Don’t overwhelm the hot dog with pretentious bread. Let the zen of the hot dog wash over sesame seed, poppy seed, and plain buns.

Don’t use cloth napkins while eating hot dogs. Only paper napkins for this top dog

Step aside, fork and knife, this is finger food territory. Hot dogs are meant (and even encouraged) to be eaten with your hands.

Leave mom’s hand-wash-only-for-guests-good-china in the basement. Everyday plate-ware is deemed absolutely acceptable and even paper plates are A-ok for this cook-out treat.

We aren't asking you to channel your inner Hot Dog Eating Champion, but don't do a hot dog the injustice of taking measly, incremental bites. A conventional hot dog should NOT take more than 5 bites to finish. We acknowledge that a foot-long hot dog is a mighty feat for anyone to undertake, so in this circumstance, 7 bites are acceptable.

Hot dogs and buns tag-team it until the very end of their very short 5 (or 7) bite life. Don't separate this duo by abandoning bits of bun on your plate. Eat the whole entre in its totality

Hot dogs don’t need to be beatified by springs of fresh herbs so forget the photo-finish parsley and leave your inner Julia Child at home.

Waste not, Want not. Feel free to lick any condiments away from your hands after the hot dog is gone

Feel free to bring beer, soda, lemonade, or iced tea to a hot dog barbecue. But don’t venture into wine country—that’s just unnecessary hullabaloo.

Hot dogs are a straight-forward, down to earth, unpretentious breed. After a barbecue, thank you cards are unnecessary