Seattle Hot Dog

Hot dogs featuring Seattle's distinctive taste

A Seattle Dog, otherwise known as a Seattle-style hot dog, is essentially a hot dog nestled in a bun. The unique twist comes from the generous dollop of cream cheese atop it. These hot dogs are popular in Seattle. You can often find them at food carts, especially outside stadiums on game days. Additionally, they are a favored late-night indulgence in the vicinity of the city’s musical performance venues.

The backstory of the Seattle-style hot dog reveals its intriguing beginnings.

The Seattle-style hot dog started in 1989. It was created by Hadley Long, a vegetarian vendor from Ohio. The idea started in the Pioneer Square area. Long ran a bagel cart between the Central Saloon and J&M Cafe and Cardroom. Initially, Long's menu included solely vegetarian bagels and their toppings. However, due to growing demand, she later incorporated hot dogs into her offerings. For the buns, Long opted for bialy-style buns sourced from Bagel Deli on Capitol Hill. She would spread cream cheese on both sides of the bun before adding the hot dog. She called this tasty treat "Hadley's Bagel Dogs."

With the rise of the grunge music movement in the 1990s, Seattle Dogs gained traction in bars and live music venues. In 1999, The Stranger published a positive review of the hot dog stand outside The Showbox. This was one of the first mentions of cream cheese hot dogs in local media.

In present times, Seattle-style hot dogs are frequently available at bars and street vendors during nighttime. Hot dog sales soared during big sporting events. A vendor told Seattle Weekly that sales reached a record high during the Seattle Mariners' great 116-46 season in 2001. This led to large crowds gathering outside Safeco Field.

In 2009, a cart began selling Seattle-style hot dogs outside Comcast Arena in Everett, Washington. In 2010, The Hit it Here Cafe at Safeco Field started serving Seattle Dogs. Safeco Field is the home of the Seattle Mariners.

The Deep Dive bar, located at the Amazon Spheres, is helmed by the renowned Seattle chef Renee Erickson. They feature a gourmet hot dog priced at $18 that includes whipped cream cheese, pickled jalapeños, pickled red onions, and pink salmon roe caviar. This unique Seattle Dog has not only received accolades but has also won a James Beard Award.

Crafting the Seattle-Style Hot Dog

When it comes to making the signature Seattle-style hot dog, there are specific procedures to follow.

• Usually, the meat is cooked on a griddle and not a hot dog roller. The hoagie roll or bun is often toasted for extra texture.
• Cream cheese stands as a vital element of the Seattle-style hot dog. Vendors often utilize specialized sauce dispensers for the effortless application of the rich cream cheese topping. As per the owner of Dante's Inferno Dogs, he was the first to popularize this particular serving method.

As outlined by Serious Eats, grilled onions are a widely appreciated enhancement to Seattle-style hot dogs. Other frequently-used toppings include jalapeños, assorted peppers, sauerkraut or grilled cabbage, and scallions. Mustard, whether it be the classic American yellow or a spicier brown version, is a commonly favored condiment. Barbecue sauce and Sriracha are also popular choices, while ketchup is less frequently used.

If you are hosting a neighborhood cookout or want to wind down a night of drinking Seattle craft beer, try the Seattle Dog. It will impress and delight you with every bite.