Man Bites Dog: Hot Dog Culture in America (Altamira Studies in Food and Gastronomy) (Rowman & Littlefield Studies in Food and Gastronomy) - Hardcover

Kraig, Bruce; Carroll, Patty

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0759120730 ISBN 13: 9780759120730

Publisher: AltaMira Press,U.S., 2012

Synopsis

Whether you call them franks, wieners, or red hots, hot dogs are as American as apple pie-but how did these little links become icons of American culture? Man Bites Dog explores the almighty hot dog through history, culture, styles, and even the people who made them famous. Loaded with stunning color photos by Patty Carroll, descriptions of neighborhood venues and flashy pushcarts from New York to Los Angeles, and recipes for cooking up hot dog heaven at home, this book is the ultimate source-informative, fun, and tasty-on the role of hot dogs in American culture.

About this title

Product Description:

Man Bites Dog Man Bites Dog explores the meaning of the great democratic food, the hot dog, in American culture and will serve as the definitive pop culture book for the general public on the history, people, decor, and venues associated with various styles of hot dogs in this country. The gustatory, cultural, social, economic, and imaginative aspects of the hot dog phenomena are revealed in a meaty, authoritat Full description

Review:

In this cleverly titled volume, Kraig takes a look at the American hot dog phenomenon, giving the history and folklore behind the foodstuff that became 'quintessential public dining treats-long before the rise of hamburgers-sold on streets, at fairs and festivals, at picnics (weenie roasts), and in fast food venues...' Chapters on the simple pleasures of eating hot dogs and the numerous ways which they can be served pull readers back in. A fully loaded Chicago dog, for example, 'has mustard, bright green relish, chopped onions, tomato slices, pickle slices, and small sport peppers jammed onto the bun.' And currywurst, first popular in Germany, is 'covered in a sweet-hot sauce' and 'served on paper plates.' Photographer Carroll includes images of old-school hot dog stands and pushcarts, helping to illustrate this sometimes disturbing but always bright tribute to an American food classic. Publishers Weekly Man Bites Dog looks to be a much deeper dive into the current state of hot dog culture in the United States. Definitely number one on my list this year. Serious Eats Partnering with photographer Patty Carroll, the pair explore the hot dog's place in our society from the metal carts so popular in New York City and Chicago to iconic restaurants like Pink's famous Hot Dog in Los Angeles. Gazette Digging into the love and lore behind an unassuming ballpark staple, they (Bruce Kraig and Patty Carroll) offer a guided tour of immigrant culture, gastronomic history and hot doggeries coast to coast. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Among the constantly changing stack of books on my bedside table are a trio of volumes always there for their timeless inspiration. Now joining On the Road, John Adams, and the Bible is Man Bites Dog. For a wiener lover like myself, it truly is biblical-full of history, drama, and wonder. It is a joy to browse at leisure and a solid read front to back, endlessly informative as well as entertaining. This ambitious ode to the most American food of all bolsters one's faith in our nation's taste, which, however it gets politicized, industrialized, or sanitized, remains full of character and mischief. -- Michael Stern, Roadfood.com In Man Bites Dog, Bruce Kraig has taken us on a veritable Magical Mystery Meat Tour, replete with amusing arcana and delicious digressions on every page-with the possible exception of the many pages that pheature phantastic photos by Patty Carroll. Gimme one with everything. -- Gary Allen, author of Sausage: A Global History As a hot dog fanatic, I devour any reading material whatsoever having to do with the subject of hot dogs. Man Bites Dog is the best and most comprehensive book about hot dogs, their regional styles, history, and culture, and the people who serve, make, and enjoy America's favorite food. I heartily recommend this book for the casual hot dog eater as well as the hardcore hot dog aficionado. -- John Fox, hot dog expert

About this edition

• Publisher: AltaMira Press,U.S.
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0759120730
• ISBN 13: 9780759120730
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 200