When I was a kid, I hated hot dogs. I also hated bologna.  Now, I like hot dogs but still hate  bologna.  I won’t eat just any hot dog, though.  It must be grilled and must have onions.

With grilling season in full swing and the Fourth of July cookouts upon us, millions of hot dogs will be consumed. In fact, according to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council, Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July alone!  ( I’m more surprised there is a National Sausage and Hot Dog Council)

And, what’s the difference between a hot dog, Wiener and Frank?

Here’s a little information I found at the Everything Hot Dog website:

“While the terms are used interchangeably most of the time, there are slight variations that do make them different.Depending on what part of the world or country you are from can also determine how these terms are used. While in America the “Hot Dog” is very popular, in Germany there is no such thing, only a Frankfurter or a Wiener.

To Be technical, Hot Dogs as we know them are actually either a Frank or a Wiener in a bun. A “Frankfurter” consist of all one type of meat, usually beef, but can be any meat and is more strongly seasoned than it’s counterpart. On The other hand a “Wiener” is typically a combination of meats that tends to contain pork and is blander.

Then there is Kosher Hot Dogs which are made out of kosher meats that can come only from animals that have cloven hooves and chew their cuds — farm raised cattle, sheep or goats. Most domestic poultry is also acceptable. The primary difference between Kosher and non-Kosher hot dogs is that kosher hot dogs do not contain pork. Kosher hot dogs also are made from beef or poultry that has been slaughtered according to Jewish law.

So in short, while for most people the difference is not going to be noticeable, for those of use who love hot dogs, each hot dog variation is just one more way to enjoy our favorite food.”

Apparently, I prefer Frankfurters over Wieners….

… and don’t even get me started on the buns….