A group of adults has written a rulebook for chili dogs, outlining the order in which toppings should be applied. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, a Washington-based trade association, has spent three decades defending its guide.

The Rulebook

The guide suggests that wet condiments, including chili, should be applied first, followed by chunky toppings like onions and relish, then shredded cheese, and finally dry seasonings. This order is designed to prevent toppings from sliding off the hot dog.

However, the rulebook’s guidance on chili is unclear, leaving room for debate over whether a chunky, bean-heavy chili should be considered a wet condiment or a chunky topping.

Regional Traditions

Regional hot dog traditions, such as the Cincinnati coney and the Michigan coney, have been built around similar topping orders, suggesting that the council’s rulebook may be describing existing practices rather than inventing new ones.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.