Hot dogs hold a special place in American food culture.
From backyard barbecues to baseball games, they’re the kind of food that brings people together and sparks debates over toppings and styles (is a hot dog really a sandwich?)
Almost every region in the United States has its own take on this beloved dish, and Denver is no exception. Here, the Rockie Dog reigns supreme — a bold, flavorful footlong hot dog loaded with local flair. So let’s dive into the world of hot dogs and figure out how Denver’s iconic Rockie Dog came to be!
The Rockie Dog & other popular hot dogs in the U.S.
The origin of the hot dog
The hot dog may now be a symbol of modern America, but its roots go as far back as ancient Roman times!
Historians believe that a cook employed by first-century AD Roman emperor Nero was among the first to experiment with making sausage, and that he was the one to discover that pig intestines worked pretty darn well as a meat-holder. How he figured that one out, we’d rather not guess, but we’re grateful all the same.
As the Roman empire spread through Europe, so did the sausage. It wasn’t until the sausage made its way to Medieval Germany that people began serving it on buns, but which town can lay claim to its conception is a mystery. People in the town of Frankfurt claim that the frankfurter was invented there first in 1484, and citizens of Vienna lay the same claim to the wienerwurst, which they believe was created earlier. There’s no way of knowing for sure.
Wherever (and whenever) the bun-and-sausage combo came from, we do know that German immigrants to New York City began selling sausages in bread rolls from push carts in the 1860s. The meal became popular for being portable, easy to cook and, most importantly, cheap! By 1893 the hot dog was a staple at baseball games, thanks to a German immigrant in St. Louis who owned the St. Louis Browns major league baseball team!
Baseball and hot dogs were a match made in heaven, so it’s no surprise that regional styles of hot dogs began popping up in cities that were known for baseball! The simplicity of the hot dog became a canvas for local cuisines and cultural influences, leading to the many unique hot dog styles we have today.
The Denver Rockie Dog
Many Major League baseball stadiums have signature hot dogs, and the Colorado Rockies are no exception!
The Rockie Dog is the signature dog served at Coors Field in Denver’s Ballpark District. It’s a foot-long monstrosity served fresh off the grill and topped with sauerkraut, grilled peppers and sautéed onions. Other regional hot dogs are served here, too, but the Rockie Dog is, by far, a favorite for fans of the Colorado Rockies.
Other regional hot dogs
New York City
Hot dogs and New York City go together like a hot dog and a hot dog bun: perfectly. The city’s signature hot dog will always come served with some steamed onions and pale yellow mustard — whether you get it in Times Square, Coney Island or Central Park!
Chicago
The Chicago dog is a great representation of the city’s diverse culture and history, featuring a diverse array of toppings that include green relish, a dill spear, celery salt, tomatoes, onions and an all-beef sausage. NEVER add ketchup.
Kansas City
The Kansas City Dog boasts a hearty twist with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese, often served on a sesame seed bun.
The Fenway Frank
The Fenway Frank, famous in Boston’s Fenway Park, is boiled or grilled and served on a New England-style split-top bun, with mustard and relish as typical toppings.
Sonoran Dog
The Sonoran Dog, hailing from the Southwest, features a bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, jalapeño sauce and mayonnaise, often tucked into a bolillo roll.
The Texas Dog
The Texas Dog varies across the state but often features chili, shredded cheese and jalapeños, reflecting the state’s bold and spicy culinary traditions.
Michigan Coney Island Dog (AKA Michigan Coney)
The Michigan Coney Island Dog isn’t from Michigan but is popular in the region. It’s a hot dog smothered in chili and topped with yellow mustard and chopped onions.
West Virginia Dog
The West Virginia Dog combines hot dogs with coleslaw, chili, mustard and onions for a creamy, tangy and savory bite.
New Jersey Dog
The New Jersey Dog, or Italian Dog, is stuffed into pizza bread and topped with peppers, onions and fried potatoes, a hearty mix that’s uniquely Jersey.
Philadelphia Dog
The Philadelphia Dog is a unique one — an all-beef hot dog paired with a fish cake in a bun. Hmmmmmmm…
Cleveland Polish Boy
The Cleveland Polish Boy takes a kielbasa sausage and tops it with French fries, barbecue sauce and coleslaw for a mix of smoky, tangy and creamy textures.
Cincinnati Coney
The Cincinnati Coney builds on the city’s famous chili culture, featuring a hot dog loaded with Cincinnati-style chili and finely shredded cheese.
Washington, D.C.
The Washington, D.C., Half-Smoke is a local favorite — a coarsely-ground half pork, half beef sausage topped with chili, onions and mustard.
Seattle
The Seattle Dog is a unique creation with cream cheese as a base topping, often paired with grilled onions, jalapeños and Sriracha.
Alaska
The Alaska Reindeer Dog features a gamey reindeer sausage usually topped with caramelized onions in a steamed bun
Birmingham Special Dog
The Birmingham Special Dog, a Southern classic, features yellow mustard, sauerkraut and onion, all smothered in a spiced ground beef sauce.
Wherever you get your hot dogs, be sure to give our very own Denver Rockie Dog a try next time you’re around Coors Field. If you live in our luxury Denver apartments, then you’re right next door!
Enjoy!
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Featured photo by Samuel Ramos on Unsplash
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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