NATIONAL CHILI DOG DAY
Fast Facts
- CELEBRATION
- Hot dog + Chili = Chili Dog
- CELEBRATED
- Celebrated each year on the last Thursday in July
- FUN FACT
- The Coney Island Hot Dog originated in Michigan, not New York
- VIBE
- Messy, nostalgic, and pure comfort-food joy
NATIONAL CHILI DOG DAY
On the last Thursday in July, hot dog lovers across the United States start topping their hot dogs with delicious chili to celebrate National Chili Dog Day.
#NationalChiliDogDay
Wrapping up National Hot Dog Month, the chili dog brings the heat. Add onions, cheese, or chili sauce for more variety. With a hot dog, the condiments are endless.
Also known as a coney dog or chili con carne, the first person to make a chili dog probably tried it around the turn of the 20th century. Even then it was likely a meat and tomato sauce, not the full-on firehouse chili we know today.
Did you know?
The Coney Island Hot Dog wasn't invented in New York—it was created by Greek and Macedonian immigrants in Michigan during the early 1900s!
-OR-
President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously hot dogs and chili to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their historic royal visit to Hyde Park in 1939.
-OR-
The longest chili dog ever built was in Zapopan, Mexico. It used 2,000 pounds of chili and measured an astonishing 1,968 feet (600 meters) long!
Even now, the chili dog gains gourmet status depending on where you go. Add the best ingredients, all-beef franks, and pretzel bun, too. Experiment with the sausage seasonings or the type of chili. For example, switch to a flavorful brat seasoned with chipotle and top it with buffalo chili. Let your imagination go wild. Of course, a traditional chili dog is always an option, too.
Chili Dog Varieties
Detroit Coney
All-beef frank, dry beanless beef chili, yellow mustard, diced yellow onions
Cincinnati Chili Cheese Dog
Hot dog topped with spiced Mediterranean chili, chopped onions, and a giant heap of shredded cheddar cheese
Texas Chili Dog
Thick Texas-style chili (no beans), pickled jalapeños, and melted jack cheese
Gourmet Dog
Chipotle bratwurst, buffalo chili, pretzel bun, and crumbled blue cheese
NATIONAL CHILI DOG DAY CELEBRATION IDEAS
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Chili dogs are a meal all on their own. Grab one at the ballpark or set up a chili dog bar. Invite friends and family to create colossal and delicious chili dogs with all their favorite toppings..
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Host a chili cookoff and supply the franks, buns, and special toppings for the judges to add to their chili dog. Crown the winner with bragging rights!
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Post on social media using #NationalChiliDogDay and encourage others to join the celebration.
NATIONAL CHILI DOG DAY HISTORY
We were unable to identify the origin of National Chili Dog Day.
