the West Virginia hot dog

if you are from West Virginia and know the true nature of a West Virginia hotdog, you may pick up a tip, if you are not from WV, you will be exposed to a culinary delight.

at iBuggy, we’ve captured a version of a true West Virginia Hot Dog and the madness around my method.  I’ve had a mustache for 35 of my years of my life and you adapt in some basic things over the years by having the caterpillar on your face – simple things you have to deal with that other clean facers don’t have to deal with 🙂

The Toppings: onions, mustard, chili and sweet southern coleslaw – The ORDER of of the toppings as listed (very important)

West Virginia Hot Dog making and assembly at your own risk….

Step 1:  Top Sliced Hot Dog Buns ONLY (you can fit more stuff in them), HOWEVER, you must hollow them out some, to make room for the condiments, because in the end really its about the condiments – you can take a very very average hot dog and turn it into Magic with the right condiment combination.

Step 2:  Lightly toast the bun with the hollowed side up – just lightly to crisp up the inside just a tad. This helps from the liquids to not permeate through the bread to the bottom and make a hand mess

Step 3:  Diced onions on bottom first. This creates a foundation barrier and they all stay together and don’t fall off everywhere protecting the soft bead underneath

Step 4:  Mustard of your choosing – basic Yellow is mine. Mustard on top of the Onions helps seal some of the cracks and crevices but also helps keep the onions together

Step 5:  Chili – No Beans – Canned Hormel chili is amazingly perfect Hot Dog clili. Not for chili eating, but hot dog chili, really doesn’t get any better

Step 6:  HomeMade Creamy Cole slaw (on the sweeter side) – Spread the bun out (make it wider) just a tad then cover the entire top with a nice layer of Cole Slaw

Step 7:  Simply lay your doggie on top, and take a bite that will be amazing. Dog on Top, Dog on Top – you’ll thank me later 🙂

so why coleslaw as the last topping? That helps seal in the Chili from dripping out everywhere. …. I know the order will create debates on non-traditional, how it looks, etc….. But at the end of the day, its not about how it looks, its about how it tastes and how it stays together – AND MORE IMPORTANTLY for me – my mustache thanks me.

So why isn’t it listed how to cook a hot dog properly?  Well, it really doesn’t matter, its all about the toppings and how you assemble them.  Feel free to use a dirty water dog, grilled dog, boiled or fried dog – it won’t really matter.  But, as shown, this is a grilled Nathan’s dog.

Enjoy the Step By Step Photos