July is peak hot dog season. Between the Fourth of July and National Hot Dog Day (a.k.a. July 16), grills across the U.S. are loaded with franks—but which states are scarfing down the most, and what do they pile on top?
According to a new survey of over 2,000 Americans by CanadaCasino, Montana takes the title of the most hot dog–obsessed state in the country. The average Montanan puts away 17 hot dogs a month, which adds up to more than 200 per year. That’s nearly triple the national average of seven per month.
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Wyoming comes in second, clocking in at 13 hot dogs a month per person. Delaware grabs the third spot with 11 monthly dogs per person. And while the national average across all states adds up to about 4,712 hot dogs over a lifetime, Montanans are pushing 10,000—enough to reach the height of 16 Statues of Liberty if you stacked those dogs end to end.
Meanwhile, not every state is riding the hot dog wave. North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah are the most dog-reluctant, with fewer than two hot dogs eaten per person per month.
So how are people topping all these hot dogs? Ketchup reigns supreme, favored by 53-percent of Americans and taking the number one spot in 23 states including California, Ohio and Pennsylvania. It’s followed closely by yellow mustard (48-percent) and onions (45-percent). Cheese comes in hot at 43-percent, while chili sauce brings the heat for 27-percent—unsurprisingly a big player in Texas-style dogs.
Not everyone is on board with spicy toppings, though. Only 9-percent go for chili peppers, 6-percent choose Tabasco and just 5-percent reach for Sriracha. It turns out most Americans like their dogs mild, if not plain, as 4-percent skip the toppings entirely.
From backyard barbecues to ballpark stands, the hot dog still holds its place as a true American staple. And in places like Montana and Wyoming, it’s practically a food group. Whether you’re Team Ketchup or Team Mustard, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this grill-side classic.
The U.S. states that consume the most hot dogs
- Montana
- Wyoming
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Maine
- Tennessee
- Louisiana
- Arkansas
- Washington
- Arizona