NEW YORK – Is a hot dog a sandwich? More than half of Americans (53%) think so. A recent survey of 2,000 Americans explores our cookout food and condiment preferences.
When it comes to constructing a hot dog, 75 percent of those surveyed say they put their condiments on the bun first before adding the hot dog. One in three from that group agree it’s less of a mess when doing it this way.
Your BBQ preferences say a lot about your personality
Americans overwhelmingly prefer ketchup (63%) over mustard (27%), as a condiment. However, being an adventurous eater is a more prevalent trait among mustard lovers, rather than ketchup enthusiasts (42% vs 34%).
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of organic meat maker Applegate, the study also finds those who prefer hot dogs over burgers are more likely to identify themselves as picky eaters (34% vs 29%), single-taskers (24% vs 19%), and extroverts (24% vs 19%).
However, three in four Americans still opt for burgers over hot dogs. When it comes to their personalities, more than half of burger fans (52%) think they have an open mind and are responsible, compared to 46 percent of hot dog fans. More burger lovers also believe they are kinder than hot dog enthusiasts (57% vs 52%). Burger fans also think they get more laughs, as 47 percent consider themselves funny, compared to 42 percent of hot dog lovers.
While people look forward to the sizzle and crunch of their favorite summer foods, they’re not quite as eager for a “grilling” themselves.
Not while I’m eating, please
The hot topics Americans are dreading the most at family events include money (32%), politics (31%), and religion (23%). However, one debate had unexpected results, as respondents are happy to settle the age-old question of how to define a sandwich.
Seven in 10 are in agreement that a sandwich is “any food between two pieces of bread.” Eight in 10 Americans believe burgers also meet sandwich criteria.
“There are many debates surrounding summer food favorites, but one thing that shouldn’t be up for debate is the quality of the ingredients that go into those foods and how they are sourced,” says Nicole Glenn, Vice President of Brand Strategy & Innovation for Applegate, in a statement.
Most Americans also share a common food problem — they don’t eat enough veggies. However, vegetables don’t have to just sit on the side of your plate. Sixty percent of the poll think vegetables are an acceptable hot dog topping.
United by their buns, more than two-thirds of hot dog and burger enthusiasts add lettuce to their favorite foods, with 58 percent topping things off with pickles.
“Among the similarities we discovered between hot dog lovers and burger lovers was that more than two-thirds said they’re making an effort to be more environmentally responsible with their daily life choices and purchases,” Glenn adds. “Believe it or not, not all hot dogs and burgers have the same environmental impact. Becoming more familiar with how your food is sourced and produced can help you when making choices.”
