Review: Notre Dame Hot Dog
Author: Smokin DB | Filed under: Food Reviews, Location: South Bend, IN, On The Road
Notre Dame Stadium
University of Notre Dame Campus (God’s Country)
Yep, I’m reviewing a hot dog from a game at Notre Dame. I have to give credit to my wife who suggested that I do so. If you think about it, for those of us who attending sporting events, eating at those events can complete the experience. My dad has been a Notre Dame season ticket holder since 1964 and I went there for Grad School. There is just no way that I could attend a game and not eat a hot dog. If I missed the hot dog my experience, not to mention my stomach, would be somewhat empty.
It is not lost on professional and amateur teams that the food served at the venue can enrich the experience of the fan and not coincidentally create a tremendous revenue stream. Some teams stick to the basics and focus on executing them well. Others offer a veritable food bazaar with local ethnic options or wild combinations. Whether it be the Polish at U.S. Cellular Field, the 5-way Chili at Great American Ballpark or the simple dog at Notre Dame, as usual, I’m always ready to eat.
What I had: Do I even have to say?
Before Notre Dame Stadium was renovated in 1997 the hot dogs were cooked in each concession stand. There was huge copper kettle boiling like mad filled to the brim with, you guessed it, hot dogs. The dogs were slapped on a fresh bun, wrapped in a foil-lined paper wrapper and piled high in steam bins waiting for me and tens of thousands of others to devour. The weight of the dogs would crush the steamy buns and they would sometimes get a little mushy but still be delicious. I don’t know the brand of the dog but I’m guessing that it’s a Vienna from Chicago. Now the dogs are cooked elsewhere, a commissary on campus I think, and then delivered to each stand. Still wrapped in foil, they continue to steam and the bun is tissue paper soft. The condiment bar consists of yellow French’s Mustard, Heinz Ketchup and bins of diced onion and bottled pickle relish.
At Notre Dame nothing and I mean NOTHING is without tradition and ritual even eating friggin’ hot dog. I buy two prior to going to my seat, load them with mustard and onion and shove them in my pocket. I’m typically too fired-up to eat them so I take in the pageantry, the national anthem and probably most of the first quarter before I pull out the first. The bun is soft, steamy and crushed a bit from my pocket of course. The dog itself is everything a dog should be; a snappy skin breaking way to a juicy, slightly spicy and peppery interior. Perfection does not have to arrive on Royal Daulton China. Sometimes it comes in a paper lined foil wrapper.
Would I Buy It Again? Do I have to say it? Of course I would.
-Smokin DB
Tags: Food, Hot Dog, notre dame
Ah, Notre Dame traditions and my family. In 2007, after growing up a Navy football fan, I applied to school in South Bend. They rejected me. 3 of the last 4 years Navy has beaten them. Curse? I’ll leave that for you to decide.
I didn’t get a hot dog the only time I was in South Bend for a game (2007) but got some kettle corn. It was dang good.
I feel this way about the tenderloin sandwiches at the track. Something about them makes the experience complete, though it’s clearly not a great tenderloin sandwich. I’m guessing beer may have something to do with it.
Feel the same way about the IMS tenderloin. I think it has more to do with memories of going to the track during the month of May than it does the actual quality of the tenderloins.
No doubt that the location affects the perception and dare I say the taste of the food.
Adam ND isn’t cursed, they have just sucked at football for too long.
Thanks for reading and commenting all.