DOWNTOWN — In some spots around town, putting ketchup on a hot dog is bound to get you a dirty look. Some people might even grumble that you're a heathen.
After all, what Chicagoan puts ketchup on a hot dog? A true Chicago-style dog is topped only with mustard, neon-green relish, onions, tomatoes, sports peppers, a pickle and celery sat.
Except ... maybe a lot of Chicagoans are eating ketchup.
DNAinfo did a (very unofficial) poll on Twitter, asking Chicagoans if they'd eat ketchup on hot dogs. More than 1,300 people voted.
The results: A little more than half of respondents (52 percent) said ketchup on a dog was disgusting.
But 48 percent said they'd do it — and most thought people should get over the condiment hate.
WHAT SAY YOU: Chicago Dog Sauce (aka ketchup) on hot dogs? https://t.co/jvQote7Y00
— DNAinfo Chicago (@DNAinfoCHI) July 18, 2017
Vienna Beef, the longtime manufacturers of Chicago's favorite encased meat, frowns upon that kind of behavior.
"We're all for ketchup — up to the age of decision," said Tom McGlade, a spokesman and vice president for Vienna Beef.
Vienna Beef, which is approaching its 125th year in business, thinks you should knock off that ketchup-y kid stuff after you're 17.
"The history of the Chicago-style hot dog never included that. Tomatoes are already on the hot dog, which is a more natural form of that vegetable, anyway," McGlade said. "Just the combination of sweet and salty, cold and hot [on a Chicago dog], we believe it's the perfect combination — and ketchup is not one of the ingredients we put on them."
Vienna Beef is not alone in their disdain for the red stuff. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council advises that people stop using ketchup on their wieners after the age of 18.
"We all have to grow up sometime," a woman says in the council's video on hot dog etiquette. "And besides, legend has it that within the city limits of Chicago you could be arrested for such an offense."
Here's what people had to say on the touchy issue this National Hot Dog Day:
Sorry Heinz, but @Superdawg already perfected the "Chicago dawg" decades ago.
— Scott Waldyn (@ScottWaldyn) July 19, 2017
lord of the nope: the fellowship of the nope: the nope towers
— Esther (@EsIsTerrified) July 19, 2017
As a Chicagoan that only likes ketchup on hot dogs, thank you.
— Maribel J. (@theirongroot) July 19, 2017
Boo !
— Bill Jones (@Unknowna22) July 18, 2017
Hiss !
Yellow or brown
mustard only !
Yes. Get over it.
— Sue Patience Ryan (@wenhamhome) July 18, 2017
We got a cupla too-tree problems with this one. pic.twitter.com/rbdYAa5OSD
— Hebrew National (@HebrewNational) July 19, 2017
Sorry @HeinzKetchup_US - this just won't work here. You're only going to upset the beast more.
— HCWAGeek (@HCWAGeek) July 18, 2017
My hot dog, my condiments
— Jennifer Fabulous! (@WhiteSoxJJ216) July 19, 2017
Your dog, your condiments #TeamKetchup
I was born and raised in the #Pittsburgh area. @HeinzKetchup_US is the only ketchup worthy of the name. Still won't put it on a Chicago dog.
— Reuben L. Lillie (@reubenlillie) July 18, 2017
Ketchup is for french fries and 5 year olds in Chicago. Go away @HeinzKetchup_US.
— Chris in Chitown (@AuburnTigersZRJ) July 18, 2017
You got a lot of damn nerve trying to hoist that crap on our Chicago hot dogs. #HotGarbage #Columbusing
— Holliloki (@HolliLoki) July 18, 2017
NEVER. No respectable #chicagoan eats a hot dog with ketchup.
— Cina Pelayo (@cinapelayo) July 18, 2017
It started as a house rule from my mother, NEVER on a hot dog. I love Ketchup but the guilt would have been too sinful. There were rules.
— That Italian Chick (@That_Italiana) July 19, 2017
Unacceptable! Mustard only. And neon green relish. #whatsonyourdog #chicagolife
— Holly Hughes (@hollyjhughes) July 18, 2017
Nope nope nope. Mom's from Chicago and says no way to Ketchup. Not on burgers, dogs, or fries.
— Lily Doodle® (@MissLilyDoodle) July 18, 2017
Nice try Heinz. Maybe you should try a blend of mustard, onion, relish, & celery salt and call THAT Chicago dog sauce! We can add the rest!
— Jennifer Monroe (@jmon10222) July 18, 2017
