Opening Day of Major League Baseball season signals both warmer weather ahead and the launch of outdoor cooking season! In our household we celebrate this unofficial all-American holiday by flipping on the AM radio, tuning in a Saturday afternoon ballgame, and throwing down a World Series Championship feast of Bacon-wrapped and Grilled Chicago-style Stadium Dogs!
Now, full disclosure, I’ve professed my lifelong loyalties to our hometown Detroit Tigers. In fact, my earliest childhood memories in are watching the ’84 World Series with my grandfather. But, truth of the matter is that Chicago and Wrigley Field are host to the very best stadium dogs in the world, and it’s not close. It feels sacrilegious to even murmur these words in my own head, let alone write them for the internet to consume and debate for eternity. None the less, I have a sense of duty to ensuring Live Fire Republic keeps things in fair play and absent any and all fake or foul news.:)
My personal loyalties aside, hotdogs are to baseball, what peanut butter is to jelly – they’re a pastime all their own, as longstanding as the game itself, and no baseball game or outdoor cookout is complete without them. End of story.
LIVE FIRE REPUBLIC’S TOTALLY-BIASED TOP 10 BASEBALL STADIUM DOGS
Today every baseball stadium across the country features a lineup of signature dogs that grow more insane by the year. Having been to nearly every baseball stadium in the country, here’s my totally-biased Top 10 list of hotdogs featured by major league baseball teams across the country:
- Chicago-style Dog from Wrigley Field | Chicago, IL
- Coney Dog from Comerica Park | Detroit, MI
- The Big Kid Dog from Kauffman Stadium | Kansas City, KS (distant 3rd place)
- Dodger Dog from Dodger Stadium | Los Angeles, CA
- Crab Mac and Cheese Dog from Camden Yards | Baltimore, MD
- Seattle Dog from Safeco Field | Seattle, WA
- Miami Mex dog from Marlins Park | Miami, FL
- Philly Cheesesteak Dog from Citizens Bank Park | Philadelphia, PA
- The Boomstick from Arlington’s Global Life Field | Arlington, TX
- Carne Asada Dog at Petco Park | San Diego, CA
- Every other stadium dog
- Every other hot dog made any where outside of a baseball stadium
- Any hot dog made by the Houston Astros and Minute Made Park
The Chicago-style dog from Wrigley Field takes the top spot for its unique, flavor-bomb combination of mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, and celery salt. The Coney Dog from Comerica Park is a close second, with its chili, shredded cheddar cheese, mustard, and onions. If you’ve not done so before, both are totally totally worth recreating at home!
This said, whether you’re a die-hard fan of the classics or prefer experimenting with your own toppings, we can all use a bit of inspiration for new ways to prepare some of our favorite backyard staples. And, what better way than by brining together two American pastimes – baseball and outdoor cooking! Now, gather up a pile of good buddies and cheap brewskies, light up a full chimney of charcoal, and have a bit of fun grilling stadium-themed dogs in your own backyard.
KEY INGREDIENTS USED IN CHICAGO STYLE BACON WRAPPED HOT DOGS
Poppy Seed Bun
Bun’s soft crunch holds toppings, adds nutty flavor that complements hot dog without getting soggy.
Yellow Mustard
This tangy condiment adds a spicy kick to hot dogs, balancing the sweetness of other toppings.
Dayglow Green Sweet Relish
Sweet crunch and vibrant color elevate hot dog’s taste and look.
Diced Onions
A pungent and flavorful addition that adds a bit of crunch and a savory, umami flavor to the hot dog.
Tomato Wedges
Tomato wedges balance the hot dog’s richness, adding refreshing acidity for a juicy, bright flavor.
Pickle Spear
A tart and crunchy pickle spear adds a tangy contrast to the other toppings, bringing a burst of flavor to every bite.
Sport Peppers (or pepperoncini peppers)
Spicy peppers balance sweet relish, adding complexity to flavor.
Celery Salt
a signature ingredient, subtly enhances umami and adds a vegetal note to Chicago-style hot dogs.
Bacon
Well, it’s bacon. What more do I really need to say?
FAQs: GRILLING THE PERFECT BACON WRAPPED HOT DOG
How long do I grill the hot dogs for?
Grill the hot dogs for 5-7 minutes, flipping them frequently for even cooking.
How do I prevent the dogs from sticking to the grill?
Brush the grill grates with oil and scrub before grilling.
What’s the best way to get a nice char without burning the dogs?
Use the reverse-sear method in the recipe below.
What toppings should I use for the perfect hot dog?
The possibilities are endless! The only rule is be creative to top your dogs with what you love most!
Should I boil the hot dogs before grilling them?
No way! Baby kittens cry when this happens. And, no one likes that.
BEST BEVERAGE PAIRINGS FOR CHICAGO STYLE BACON-WRAPPED HOT DOGS
Beer:
Modelo Especial
A refreshing, light-bodied lager with a crisp finish that pairs perfectly with grilled hot dogs.
Shiner Bock
A dark, full-flavored beer with notes of caramel and toasted malt that complements the grilled hot dogs.
Coors Light
Simply, it’s the beer meant to chill. And, that’s what backyard barbecues are all about.
Cocktail:
All-American Classic
A beer cocktail of lemonade, vodka, and a light lager, garnished with a lemon wedge and fresh mint.
Home Run Hitter
A spicy and savory cocktail made with tequila, tomato juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, garnished with a celery stick and bacon-wrapped jalapeño popper.
Summer Slammer
A sweet and fruity cocktail made with white wine, peach schnapps, and lemon-lime soda, garnished with a skewer of fresh berries and a slice of grilled peach.
Wine:
Gruet Blanc de Noirs
A light and bubbly sparkling wine with notes of cherry and raspberry.
Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel
A full-bodied red wine with rich flavors of blackberry and vanilla.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
A crisp and refreshing white wine with notes of green apple and citrus.
Join the Fire
If this is your kind of cook—real charcoal, real technique, real flavor—join us: subscribe to the Live Fire Republic newsletter for first access to new recipes and fire-tested guides, follow along on social for live cooks and pit-side insight in real time, and come see it all in person at our events where the smoke hangs in the air and the craft comes alive—because the best meals aren’t just cooked outside, they’re built outside, together, over fire.
Equipment
- Charcoal Grill
- Kingsford Original Blue Bag Charcoal
- Woodchips optional
Ingredients
- 12 Certified Piedmontese All-American Grassfed Beef Hotdogs
- 12 strips hardwood smoked bacon
- 12 poppyseed hotdog buns
- Whole grain dijon mustard
- 3-4 roma tomato sliced
- 1 white onion finely diced
- Dayglow green sweet relish
- Sport peppers or pepperoncini peppers
- Celery salt and fresh ground peppercorn to taste
- Splash or two of hot sauce
Instructions
- To start, light a full chimney of charcoal briquettes and once just ashed over empty onto one half of the grill floor, creating a 2-zone grilling surface.
- Wrap a dozen all-beef hotdogs in hardwood smoked bacon, then reverse-seared to savory, crisp, and snappy perfection.Note: By starting the dogs over the indirect heat, the fat from the bacon will render without flare-ups, and finishing over the direct heat will help build an amazing char and crust!!
- Meanwhile, butter and toast poppyseed buns directly over the coals and toast until just golden brown.
- Then put these big league dogs together by dressing in a whole grain dijon mustard, garnished with tomato slices, diced white onion, dayglow green relish, pepperoncini peppers, season to taste, and finish with a splash of hot sauce.
- Serve family-style with two handfuls of ice cold and golden lagers.
