What says ‘hello summer’ better than a hot-off-the-grill hot dog? How about a whole hot dog bar! Delight your party guests with hot dogs and a huge spread of toppings so they can customize their dog. Whether you stay totally traditional or get crazy with your ingredients, this is a great way to please the crowd – adults and kids alike.
THE BAR
Choose a space or table that is long and relatively narrow, allowing you to spread out your ingredients, and for guests to move around and choose what they’d like. A folding banquet table is perfect, but you can just as easily use two saw horses and a piece of wood to create a space.
Next choose a cloth or runner to put over your table. Red, white and blue is perfect for a Memorial Day or a 4th of July party, but sunny yellow and cool blue also make a great summer theme. Don’t forget to buy your paper plates, bowls, napkins and cups to match.
THE HOT DOGS
Stock up on your favorite brand of traditional hot dog to please the purists in the group, but also consider adding some variety.
Turkey dogs are a great option for those looking for a leaner meal. Veggie or tofu dogs are perfect for the vegetarians in the group, and most grocery stores now carry a variety of brands from which to choose. If you want to get exotic, look for some alternative meats like bison, venison and even wild boar.
Of course, don’t forget the buns! You can also go beyond the traditional here, with baguettes, tortillas, pita, etc.
THE TOPPINGS
This is your chance to get creative. Cover all the basics, then add a variety of interesting ingredients for your guests to try. Below are some suggestions, but really anything goes here. If you have a personal favorite combination, you can even make a suggestion card or sign to encourage guests to try it for themselves!
Sauces
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Sriracha
- Mayonnaise
- Salsa
- Pico de Gallo
- Nacho cheese
- Sour cream
Veggies & Herbs
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Caramelized onions
- Cilantro
- Pineapple
- Jalapenos
- Scallions
Salads, Slaws & Others
- Shredded cheese
- Relish
- Pickle chips
- Sauerkraut
- Cole slaw
- Potato salad
- Potato chips
THE PARTY
Set up your bar space with tablecloth or runner, set out the ingredients with serving utensils, and keep paper plates, napkins, etc. handy. Then you can plan to man the grill and make grilled-to-order dogs, or pre-grill a batch and keep them warm in the oven until serving. Enjoy!