The History of Hot Dogs at Baseball Games
The tradition of eating hot dogs at baseball games dates back to the late 1800s. It has become an iconic part of the game, and it is hard to imagine a game without them. But who started selling hot dogs at the ballpark?
Frankfurt and Coney Island Hot Dogs
The hot dog is believed to have originated in Germany in the late 1800s. It is a combination of two different types of sausage called the Frankfurt and the Coney Island. The Frankfurt is a pork sausage and was popular in Germany. The Coney Island is a beef-pork mix and was popular in the United States.
Charles Feltman
Charles Feltman is credited with bringing the hot dog to the United States. Feltman was a German immigrant who moved to Coney Island in 1871. He started selling hot dogs from a pushcart on the boardwalk and eventually opened up a large restaurant that served hot dogs.
Harry Stevens
Harry Stevens is credited with bringing the hot dog to the baseball park. Stevens was a food vendor who worked for Feltman. He was the one who first started selling hot dogs at the ballpark. He was hired by the Cleveland Spiders baseball team in 1893 to provide food to the fans. He sold hot dogs, pretzels and other snacks from a concession stand.
The First Hot Dog Stand in a Ballpark
The first hot dog stand in a ballpark was opened by Stevens in 1896 at the Baltimore Orioles stadium. This was the first time that hot dogs were sold in a baseball stadium. Stevens was able to get permission to sell hot dogs in the stadium by offering a free hot dog to each fan that entered the ballpark.
The Hot Dog Becomes a Staple at Baseball Games
The hot dog quickly became a popular snack at baseball games. Fans loved the combination of the two different types of sausage and the fact that they could get a free hot dog when they entered the stadium. Hot dogs became a staple at baseball games and it wasn’t long before other teams started to follow suit.
The Hot Dog Becomes a Tradition
Hot dogs became such a popular snack at baseball games that it became a tradition. Fans started to bring their own hot dogs to the stadium and vendors started selling them at a cheaper price. Hot dogs became a staple of the game and an iconic part of the baseball experience.
The Hot Dog Becomes Big Business
The popularity of hot dogs at baseball games has led to a big business. Hot dog stands are now located in almost every major league ballpark. Hot dogs are served in various forms such as the classic frankfurter, the chili dog, and the loaded dog. Vendors also sell other snacks such as popcorn, peanuts, and ice cream.
The Hot Dog Today
Today, the hot dog is still an iconic part of the baseball experience. Fans can be seen eating hot dogs in the stands and vendors can be seen selling them in the aisles. The hot dog has been a part of baseball for over a hundred years and it doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon.
Conclusion
Hot dogs have been a part of baseball games since the late 1800s. It is believed that Charles Feltman brought the hot dog to the United States and Harry Stevens was the one who first started selling them at the ballpark. Since then, the hot dog has become an iconic part of the game and a beloved tradition for fans.
FAQs
- Who started selling hot dogs at baseball games? Harry Stevens is credited with bringing the hot dog to the ballpark and selling them for the first time in 1896.
- When did hot dogs become popular at baseball games? Hot dogs became popular at baseball games in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Who brought the hot dog to the United States? Charles Feltman is credited with bringing the hot dog to the United States.
- What other snacks are sold at baseball games? Vendors at baseball games also sell snacks such as popcorn, peanuts, and ice cream.