Hot Dogs, aka "Real Food"

I find it sickeningly ironic when hungry customers approach my popcorn trailer asking if all I sell is popcorn and they shake their heads in disappointment when I confirm their suspicions.

(Uh, we're called Popcornopoly for a reason.)

"So... No hot dogs then?"

"Nope, just popcorn!"

"What else besides popcorn?"

"Hot cocoa, cider, and sodas."

When I ask if they'd like to try a free sample and they reply with,

"No, I'm looking for some real food. Where can I get a hot dog?"

it drives me nuts. I want to ask what their definition of "real food" is.

Here's the ingredient list for your average hot dog:

Meat by-products and fat (pork, beef, poultry)

Sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrite

Cereal or soy fillers

Salt and garlic

The caloric ratio of an Oscar Mayer wiener is 2% carbs, 14% protein, and 84% fat.

My point is that hot dogs often have high sodium, fat and nitrite content, ingredients linked to health problems. The Cancer Project group filed a class-action lawsuit demanding warning labels on packages and at sporting events because the high amounts of sodium and nitrate are believed to cause colorectal cancer. How "real" can something be if it has to be regulated more aggressively than the public transit system in Downtown Nashville? Hot dogs have been the center of debate for years, often referred to as the product made from the "lips and assholes" of the meat industry.

So why not top yours with mustard? You'll need it.