It’s not the Fourth of July until someone fires up the grill!
Every Independence Day, Americans go absolutely crazy for hot dogs. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, the hot dog is basically a national treasure—omnipresent, universally loved, and served with a side of freedom.
Hot dogs aren’t just a snack; they’re a summertime staple and a Fourth of July icon. Whether you're at a backyard BBQ, a baseball game, or standing in line at a street cart, odds are a hot dog isn’t far away.
But just how deep does America’s love for the humble hot dog go? Let’s break it down by the numbers.
That’s how many hot dogs baseball fans devour each year at ballparks. So long, peanuts and Cracker Jacks; meet your meaty MVP.
The number of hot dogs consumed in Los Angeles—more than any other city in the world. Hollywood may have the stars, but clearly, L.A. has the appetite.
That’s how many hot dogs Americans eat on Independence Day alone. That’s nearly one dog for every person in the U.S.!
That’s the number of hot dogs Americans consume during “hot dog season,” which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. That boils down to 800 hot dogs every second.
It's safe to say somewhere, a grill is always sizzling.
That’s how much Americans spend on hot dogs and sausages in supermarkets every year.
And that doesn’t even include ballparks, street carts, or backyard BBQs.
If the Fourth of July (or hot dogs) had a championship event, it would be the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
40,000 people attend the Nathan’s contest every year—more than the max capacity of seven MLB stadiums, including Fenway Park and Petco Park!
Every year, spectators brave sun, rain, and sweat to watch people do the unthinkable: devour as many hot dogs (and buns!) as possible in just 10 minutes.
The reigning king? Joey Chestnut, who set the world record with 76 hot dogs and buns. That’s more in one sitting than the average American eats in an entire year. Chestnut has taken the Mustard Belt home 16 times!
At Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, we serve up even more jaw-dropping feats... no condiments required!
After you’ve had your fill of franks, swing by one of our attractions and explore the world of the weird, wild, and wonderful. Visit Ripley's Believe It or Not! Today !
