Chicago is an amazing city full of traditions. One of them, as well known, is never putting ketchup on your Chicago Dog unless, of course, you're 10 years old or younger.
Heinz. The Pennsylvania-based condiment company, which merged with Chicago-based Kraft in 2015, tried to convince people to try its new “Chicago Dog Sauce” for National Hot Dog Day, to help ketchup-loving Chicagoans save face. A new condiment that looks like ketchup tastes like ketchup, and, it turns out to be ketchup. It's an insult to Chicagoans.
While Heinz claims to respect this time-honored Chicago tradition, the brand is hoping that Chicagoans will reconsider their anti-ketchup stance. Heinz's new "Chicago Dog Sauce, was a limited-time marketing ploy that disguises the company's regular ketchup with a new label.
Grilled, instead of raw onions, may be optional, but the famous Fluky's "Depression Sandwich," an all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, top with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, neon green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt is a masterpiece. Don't put cheap red lipstick on the Mona Lisa. By the way, Fluky's "Garden on a Bun" was the depression sandwich without the hot dog.
This Heinz TV commercial showed gobsmacked Chicagoans purportedly trying the ketchup Chicago Dog Sauce and, to the great betrayal of their forefathers, liking it.
Heinz Unveils Chicago Dog Sauce
for National Hot Dog Day.
One person tweeted: "Never in a million years will you find such a condiment on my hot dog. Nice try Heinz, but it’s a huge NO for me."
Ketchup is for french fries and for the enjoyment of children in Chicago.
Obviously, the entire thing was intended to be in good fun. Heinz even set up a website where people could order "limited edition 14oz glass bottles of Heinz Chicago Dog Sauce" featuring the Chicago Dog Sauce label designed just for this ad campaign.
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
I did some work for Heinz in Pittsburgh in 2010. In a discussion with someone in the Marketing department I was told how much they wanted to get in Wrigley Field. When I told them we don’t use ketchup on hot dogs it was obvious from their expression they were clueless
ReplyDeleteWrigley Field has ketchup at the stands, along with mustard, onions, and relish for people to put what they want on their hot dogs and hamburgers.
DeleteKetchup is for kids and bland food, not Vienna beef. Having a ketchup option is allowed. Using it on a hotdog is a disgrace to this fine city. Using ketchup at all is pouring sugar on perfectly good food. I suggest pepper, citrus or salt.
DeleteCynthia, and Citrus doesn't add sugar? The fresh tomatos add the sugar the hot dog needs, so no need for ketchup. Your 'disgrace' comment is just plain ignorant since you don't speak for the city of Chicago.
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