The map above shows the places in the US where it’s acceptable for adults to put ketchup on a hot dog and Chicago.
Although really, It’s mostly tradition rather than a belief that ketchup is objectively bad.
The classic Chicago-style hot dog developed in the early 20th century and became especially associated with inexpensive street food during the Great Depression.
The standard version is an all-beef frank in a poppy-seed bun topped with yellow mustard, chopped onion, sweet green relish, tomato, a pickle spear, sport peppers and celery salt, often described as being “dragged through the garden.”
Ketchup is traditionally left off for a few reasons.
First, the hot dog already has sweetness from the relish and acidity from the tomato and pickle, so ketchup can be seen as overpowering the balance.
Second, once the Chicago dog became a recognizable local food, “no ketchup” turned into part of the identity and ritual.
Some famous Chicago hot-dog stands simply won’t serve it, which has helped turn the rule into a running joke.
There’s also a bit of food snobbery involved: ketchup is sometimes stereotyped as a children’s condiment, while mustard is regarded as the “proper” topping for an all-beef frank.
So it’s less “Chicagoans hate ketchup” and more:
“You can put ketchup on a hot dog… just don’t call it a Chicago dog.” or “You can put ketchup on a hot dog… if you’re a child”
What do you think Chicago hot-dogs vs regular All Americans hot dogs?
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