corn dog

Corn Dog

Corn dog on stick
Origin
Alternate name(s)	Pogo, dagwood dog, pluto pup, corny dog
Place of origin	Dallas, Texas, United States
Creator(s)	Multiple countries
Dish details
Serving temperature	Hot
Main ingredient(s)	Hot dog Cornmeal batter
Variations	Multiple

The corn dog, pogo, dagwood dog, pluto pup or corny dog is a hot dog coated in cornbread batter and deep fried in hot oil, although some are baked. Almost all corn dogs are served on wooden sticks, though some early versions were stickless.

History

There is some debate as to the exact origins of the corn dog. An article in The New York Times made reference to "corn dog" stands as early as 1947.^[1] In 300 Years of Kitchen Collectibles, author Linda Campbell Franklin states that a "Krusty Korn Dog baker" machine appeared in the 1929 Albert Pick-L. Barth wholesale catalog of hotel and restaurant supplies. The 'korn dogs' were baked in a corn batter and resembled ears of corn when cooked.^[2]

“Corny Dogs” as sold at the Texas State Fair in 2008

A number of current corn dog vendors lay claim that credit for the invention and/or popularization of the corn dog. Carl and Neil Fletcher lay such a claim, having introduced their "Corny Dogs" at the Texas State Fair sometime between 1938 and 1942.^[2] The Pronto Pup vendors at the Minnesota State Fair claim to have invented the corn dog in 1941.^[2][3] Cozy Dog Drive-in, in Springfield, Illinois, claims to have been the first to serve corn dogs on sticks, in 1946.^[4] Also in 1946, Dave Barham opened the first location of Hot Dog on a Stick at Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, California.^[5]

Preparation

Corn dog (cross section)

Corn dogs are often served as street food or as fast food. Some vendors or restaurateurs dip and fry their dogs just before serving.^[6] Corn dogs can also be found at almost any supermarket in North America as frozen food that can be heated and served. Some corn dog purveyors sell these premade frozen corn dogs which have been thawed and then fried again or browned in an oven. Premade frozen corn dogs can also be microwaved, but the cornbread coating will lack texture.^[7][8][9] Corn dogs are eaten plain or served with ketchup, mustard, relish and/or mayonnaise.

Sample batter recipe

Ingredients include cornmeal, flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, buttermilk, eggs and water. For ordinary corn dogs, use a hotdog or wiener. To prepare cornbrats, use boiled wursts that are fully cooked; insert stick and coat each wurst by rolling it in the batter. Hold on to stick. Leftover batter may be kept a few days in the refrigerator.^[10]

Variations

Both vegetarian corn dogs and corn dog nuggets are made as meatless alternatives by many of the same companies that produce veggie dogs.

A breakfast version of the corn dog consists of a breakfast sausage deep-fried in a pancake batter.

In Australia, a hot dog sausage on a stick, deep fried in batter, is known as a Dagwood Dog or Pluto Pup/Pop or Dippy Dog, depending on region. Variants exist that use wheat-based or corn-based batters.^[11] These are not to be confused with the British and Australian battered sav, a Saveloy deep fried in a wheat flour based batter, as used for fish and chips, which generally does not contain cornmeal.^[12] In New Zealand and South Korea, a similar battered sausage on a stick is called a "hot dog", whereas a "frankfurter" sausage in a long bun is referred to as an "American hot dog". Also in Australia it is often more popular to dip them into a tub of tomato sauce, rather than squirt it on from a bottle and many vans selling them at shows or sports events have a tub of tomato sauce for this purpose.

In Japan, corn dogs are found at many supermarkets and convenience stores as American Dogs (katakana:アメリカンドッグ) for their American origin.

In Canada, corn dogs may be referred to as "pogo sticks", or "pogos", after a popular brand name.

Another version comes with either melted cheese in-between the hot dog and the breading or the hot dog is replaced with a cheese-filled hot dog.

Yet another version is the cornbrat (or corn brat), which is a corn dog made with bratwurst instead of a wiener or hot dog.^[13] Hot dogs can also so be covered in potato and fried and served on a stick like a corn dog. In effect, the cornbread component is replaced with hash brown.^{[citation needed]}

Small corn dogs, known as "corn puppies," "mini corn dogs," or "corn dog nuggets," are a variation served in some restaurants, generally on the children's menu or at fast food establishments. A serving includes multiple pieces, usually 10.^[14] In contrast to their larger counterparts, corn puppies are normally served stickless as finger food.

Holiday

The corn dog has its own holiday. National Corndog Day is a celebration of basketball, the corn dog, Tater Tots, and American beer that occurs in March of every year on the first Saturday of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.^[15] In 2009, parties celebrating National Corndog Day will occur at over 300 locations in all 50 states of the United States, including the District of Columbia.^[15]

See also

• Bagel dog
• Battered sausage
• Bratwurst
• Hot dog
• Hot dog variations
• Saveloy
• Panchuker
• Pigs in a blanket
• State fair
• Bangers
• Corn Puppies

References

v • d • e Hot dogs Hot dog variations  · Bagel dog  · Chicago-style hot dog  · Completo  · Coney Island hot dog  · Corn dog  · Danger dog  · Dodger Dog  · Half-smoke  · Hot wiener  · Italian hot dog  · Ketwurst  · Michigan hot dog  · Montreal hot dog  · Ripper (hot dog)  · Texas hot dog  · Vegetarian hot dog  · White hot