DOWNTOWN — Yes, Heinz knows a true Chicago dog doesn't include ketchup.
But — wink, wink, nudge, nudge — would you like to try some of its special Chicago Dog Sauce? (Please ignore that the sauce looks, smells and tastes just like ketchup ... and that they have the same recipe.)
Heinz is rolling out the Chicago Dog Sauce for National Hot Dog Day on Wednesday. The condiment giant got city-dwellers to try a Chicago-style hot dog with the sauce, and a video shows Chicagoans glob on the sauce, bite in and ... enjoy it.
Watch the video:
Of course, that's when Heinz revealed its ruse: Chicago Dog Sauce is ketchup.
"It works on a Chicago dog with all the other toppings on there," one man admits in the video.
"Don't tell my dad about this," another says while stuffing more of the ketchup-covered dog into his mouth.
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Heinz "respects [Chicago's] time-honored tradition" of eschewing ketchup, but it is hoping residents will rethink their stance, according to a news release.
"We know that there will be a passionate response to this product introduction, but are confident that many who try the new Chicago Dog Sauce will agree" the sauce complements Chicago dogs, Heinz wrote.
The sauce is available online for $5 for a limited time.
WHAT SAY YOU: Chicago Dog Sauce (aka ketchup) on hot dogs? https://t.co/jvQote7Y00
— DNAinfo Chicago (@DNAinfoCHI) July 18, 2017