A corn dog (also spelled corndog and also known by several other names) is a hot dog on a stick that has been coated in a thick layer of cornmeal batter and deep fried. It originated in the United States and is commonly found in American cuisine.

Corn dog
Place of originUnited States
Created byDisputed (in current form, circa late 1930s – early 1940s)
Main ingredientsWiener, cornmeal batter
Variations100+
Food energy
(per serving)
263 kcal (1101 kJ)

Name variations

In Canada, corn dogs are often called "Pogos" after the popular brand produced by Conagra.[1][2]

In Australia, where they have become a popular food at agricultural shows and carnivals, they are known as either "Pluto pups", "Dagwood dogs", "dippy dogs" or (historically) "pronto pups".[3] The name "Pluto pup" likely derives from the Disney character Pluto, who is a dog.[3] "Dagwood dog" is derived from the name of a character from the American comic strip Blondie, which was created in 1930. In the comic strip, Dagwood, Blondie's husband, has a dog named Daisy.[3] Historically, the name "pronto pup" was originally used as a brand name in the United States in 1941, although this name had become obsolete as early as 1949 and was replaced by the name "Pluto pup".[3] Some have suggested that Pluto pups are made in factories, while Dagwood dogs are prepared on site.[3]

In France, the term beignet de saucisse is used, which literally translates to "sausage donut".[4]

In Japanese, the most common name for them is "American dog" (アメリカンドッグ, amerikan doggu).[5]

In New Zealand, the name "hot dog" or "mini hot dog" is often used.[6]

History

 
Corn dogs, with cross-section

Newly arrived German immigrants in Texas, who were sausage-makers finding resistance to the sausages they used to make, have been credited with introducing the corn dog to the United States, though the serving stick came later.[7] A US patent filed in 1927, granted in 1929, for a Combined Dipping, Cooking, and Article Holding Apparatus, describes corn dogs, among other fried food impaled on a stick; it reads in part:[8][9]

I have discovered that articles of food such, for instance, as wieners, boiled ham, hard boiled eggs, cheese, sliced peaches, pineapples, bananas and like fruit, and cherries, dates, figs, strawberries, etc., when impaled on sticks and dipped in batter, which includes in its ingredients a self rising flour, and then deep fried in a vegetable oil at a temperature of about 390 °F [200 °C], the resultant food product on a stick for a handle is a clean, wholesome and tasty refreshment.

A "Krusty Korn Dog" baker machine appeared in the 1926 Albert Pick-Barth wholesale catalog of hotel and restaurant supplies.[10] The 'korn dogs' were baked in a corn batter and resembled ears of corn when cooked.[11]

A number of current corn dog vendors claim responsibility 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 State Fair of Texas sometime between 1938 and 1942.[11] Pronto Pup of Rockaway Beach, Oregon, claims to have invented the corn dog in 1939.[11][12] Cozy Dog Drive-in, in Springfield, Illinois, claims to have been the first to serve corn dogs on sticks, on June 16, 1946.[13] Also in 1946, Dave Barham opened the first location of Hot Dog on a Stick at Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, California.[14]

Preparation

Corn dogs are often served as street food or as fast food. For the best and freshest preparation, some vendors or restaurateurs dip and fry their corn dogs just before serving.[15] Some corn dog purveyors sell pre-made frozen corn dogs, which are then thawed and fried again, or browned in an oven.

Corn dogs can also be found at almost any supermarket and convenience store in North America as frozen foods as well as served hot and ready to eat. Pre-made frozen corn dogs can also be heated in a microwave oven, but the cornbread coating will lack texture.[16][17]

Variations

One cheesy variation is prepared either with melted cheese between the hot dog and the breading or by using a cheese-filled hot dog.

Another version is the "cornbrat" (or "corn brat"), which is a corn dog made with bratwurst instead of a wiener or hot dog.[18][19]

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.[20] In contrast to their larger counterparts, corn puppies are normally served stickless as finger food.

A breakfast version of the corn dog features a breakfast sausage in place of the hot dog, and pancake batter in place of the cornmeal. This variation is commonly called a "pancake on a stick". It was formerly served by the drive-in restaurant Sonic,[21] but it is now made by companies such as Jimmy Dean.[22]

Both vegetarian corn dogs and corn dog nuggets[clarification needed] are made as meatless alternatives by many of the same companies that produce vegetarian hot dogs.[23]

By country

Argentina

 
Panchukers in Argentina

In Argentina, a panchuker (or panchuque, pancho chino) is a hot snack that can be bought near some train stations and in some places of heavy pedestrian transit. They are more popular in the inner country cities. A panchuker consists of a sausage covered with a waffle-like pastry, and has a stick in it (like a corn dog) so that it can be easily consumed. Some versions contain cheese, and sauces may be served to accompany them. Some variations may be found in Uruguay and other South American countries. Generally, panchukers are offered as a low-price fast food and can only be seen at certain places of the inner country—like the cities of La Plata, Villa Albertina, and Cipoletti —and, in Buenos Aires, they can be found in Barrio Chino and Belgrano. They are particularly popular in certain regions in the Northwest, such as the province of Tucumán.[24]

Australia

In Australia, a hot dog sausage on a stick, deep-fried in batter, is known as a Dagwood Dog, Pluto Pup, or Dippy Dog, depending on region.[25] Variants use wheat-based or corn-based batters.[26] These are not to be confused with the 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.[27]

They are popular at agricultural shows and carnivals, such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Canada

In Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, a battered hot dog on a stick is called a "pogo" and is traditionally eaten with ordinary yellow mustard, sometimes referred to as "ballpark mustard". The rest of Canada refers to them by the non-trademarked term "corn dog".[1][28][29] It is named after the trademarked name of a Conagra frozen product available in all of the country since the 1960s but whose main market is the province of Quebec.[1]

Japan

In Japan, the equivalent food is usually called an "American dog" (アメリカンドッグ) based on the idea of where the food is believed to originate. The batter is usually made with wheat flour, and fish sausage may be used. In eastern regions of Hokkaido, a variant with granulated sugar instead of usual ketchup topping is called "French dog" (フレンチドッグ).[30]

New Zealand

A New Zealand Hot Dog is invariably a deep-fried battered saveloy or pre-cooked sausage on a stick that is then usually dipped in tomato sauce (ketchup). The saveloy or sausage used is thicker than a frankfurter, and is coated in a thinner batter layer than American corn dogs. The batter can be cornmeal based or corn flour based. The distinction is not particularly important.[31] The sausage in a bun that is called a hot dog in other countries is known as an "American Hot Dog" and is usually available at the same locations. If a further descriptor is needed to avoid confusion between the two, the New Zealand standard hot dog can be described as a hot dog on a stick.

South Africa

In South Africa, a corn dog is a popular cafe/fair food.[citation needed] A corn dog is usually called "Yankee" in the Afrikaans language. It is usually served with a sweet pink sauce made from a mixture of mayonnaise, tomato sauce and condensed milk.

South Korea

 
A French fry–encrusted corn dog, as sold at the Heunginjimun in South Korea

In South Korea, a corn dog is one of the most popular street foods. A corn dog is usually called "hot dog" in the Korean language (핫도그), creating confusion with a genuine hot dog. A French fry–encrusted corn dog, or "Kogo," has especially attracted the attention of Western visitors,[32] including vegans (using vegan hot dogs).[33]

Annual celebration

National Corndog Day is a celebration of the corn dog, tater tots, and American beer that occurs on the first Saturday of March Madness every year.[34][35]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Yakabuski, Konrad (May 8, 2008). "Ad campaign leaves a bad aftertaste". The Globe and Mail. While the brand has some leverage outside the province, Pogo sales are still disproportionately a Quebec story.
  2. ^ "Our Brands". Conagra. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Dagwood Dog vs Pronto Pup – Australian food history timeline". September 18, 1940. The Pronto Pup was a type of corn dog developed by a hot dog salesman named George Boyington who launched his invention in 1941 at the Pacific International Livestock Exposition in Portland, Oregon. He later licensed his product.
  4. ^ Gallimard Loisirs, ed. (June 28, 2019). GEOguide Californie (in French). Éditions Gallimard Loisirs. ISBN 978-2-7424-4235-5. Dans la découverte de la junk food ou des traditions so american, tentez le corndog, une monstruosité calorique consistant en un beignet de saucisse, le Reuben sandwich, du pain de seigle garni de fines tranches de bœuf fumé, [...]
  5. ^ "American Dog (アメリカンドッグ : Corn Dog)".
  6. ^ Elwin, Warren (June 25, 2023). "Eat Well – Recipe – Mini hot dogs". The New Zealand Herald.
  7. ^ Neal, Rome (October 4, 2002). "The Science Of Corn Dogs". CBS News. Retrieved January 5, 2014. Corn dogs are a food that we know from fall festivals, carnivals and tailgating. It actually got its start when German immigrants moved into Texas. Some of these new German immigrants were sausage-makers by trade, but had a hard time selling their wares in Texas. So, as a ploy, they took sausages, rolled them in a cornbread batter and fried them. The sticks came later.
  8. ^ Jenkins, Stanley S. (March 26, 1929). "Combined Dipping, Cooking, and Article Holding Apparatus". Abstract of Patent Number 1,706,491. United States Patent & Trademark Office. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  9. ^ "The Oregon Pedigree of the Corndog". Dave Knows Portland. March 1, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  10. ^ Soda Fountains & Supplies. Albert Pick & Company and L. Barth & Company, Inc. 1926.
  11. ^ a b c "Corndogs & Pronto Pups". Lynne Olver. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  12. ^ Schlueter, Roger (September 10, 2006). "Deep-fried Coke sounds ... interesting". Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.
  13. ^ "History of Cozy Dog Drive In". Ed Waldmire — Cozy Dog Drive In. Archived from the original on May 22, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  14. ^ "Hot Dog On A Stick". HDOS Enterprises. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  15. ^ Kessler, Rachel (2001). "The Social Life of Street Food — Seattle — Corn Dog". Index Newspapers. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  16. ^ "Corn dog fryer - United States Patent Number: 5431092" (PDF). 1995. Retrieved April 28, 2012.[dead link]
  17. ^ Niesenbaum, Charlie (October 24, 2007). "Month-Old Onion Rings and Frozen Corn Dogs — Adventures in Snacking". Cornell Daily Sun. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  18. ^ "Cooking Cheap - Battered Brats". cooking.mvmanila.com. August 4, 2005. Archived from the original on April 29, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  19. ^ MrsCorrie. "corn brats". recipes.sparkpeople.com. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  20. ^ BobbiJoAZ (June 25, 2008). "Corn Puppies (recipe)". Taste of Home. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  21. ^ "Sonic Breakfast Menu". dfwsonic.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  22. ^ "Original Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick". jimmydean.com. Jimmy Dean. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  23. ^ "Are they nuts? No, they're vegans The strictest vegetarians shun honey, leather and dairy products". The Buffalo News (Buffalo, NY). March 9, 1999. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. (Partial story rendition from HighBeam.com)
  24. ^ Se venden unos 8.500 panchuques por día. La Gaceta. May 3, 2005 (Spanish)
  25. ^ GegeMac (August 22, 2010). "Festival Food in Australia: Dagwood Dogs". seriouseats.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  26. ^ Adams, Alison (September 2007). "Beer Battered Pluto Pups (recipe)". Taste.com.au. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  27. ^ "Battered Sav — Recipe & Taste Test Demo". Batteredsav.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2006. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  28. ^ Bennett, Andrea (2018). Montréal (1st ed.). Berkeley, CA. ISBN 978-1-64049-314-8. OCLC 1030438212.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  29. ^ "Calgary Stampede prepares for summer event with 18,000 pound order of corn dog batter - 660 NEWS". www.660citynews.com. January 17, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  30. ^ 柴山ロミオ (October 9, 2021). "アメリカンドッグに砂糖をかけたら「フレンチドッグ」!?". tenki.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  31. ^ "Mini hot dogs". www.bite.co.nz. June 25, 2023.
  32. ^ Korea's Kogo is the ultimate French-fry-encrusted corn dog. SoraNews24. October 28, 2014
  33. ^ People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ("PETA") (May 25, 2016). "French Fry Corn Dog (Korean Street Food, 'Veganized')". peta.org. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  34. ^ "National Corndog Day". corndogday.com. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  35. ^ Ann Treistman (2014). Foodie Facts: A Food Lover's Guide to America's Favorite Dishes from Apple Pie to Corn on the Cob. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. ISBN 9781629149561.