Happy National Hot Dog Day

SWAMPSCOTT – The exact origin of the hot dog may be a little fuzzy, but its place as an American cultural icon is crystal clear.Its status as a part of the national zeitgeist was cemented in 1974 by advertiser James W. Hartzell and his ad, “Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet.”And what would July 4 be without Nathan’s hot-dog-eating contest on Coney Island, with the winner receiving the Mustard Belt?Today, the wiener is the winner as we celebrate National Hot Dog Day.What started more than 100 years ago with a German immigrant selling grilled hot sausages in a roll evolved into a symbol of Americana, right there with one of the nation’s other cultural identities: baseball. The link between the two dates back to the 19th century.Wieners will be in abundance today, with condiments such as relish, ketchup, mustard and anything else you could possibly imagine. But for Popo’s in Swampscott, however, this is nothing out of the ordinary.Located on Humphrey Street, just past the Swampscott/Lynn line, Popo’s is known for its creative style of hot dogs. Patrons coming from and going to the beach can stop in and enjoy a wide variety of gourmet hot dogs. Suffice it to say that with more than a dozen styles of hot dogs in the menu, Popo’s will be ready for National Hot Dog Day.”The Boston dog or the New York dog are probably our most popular items,” said manager Stephen Cecere.The Boston dog is topped with baked beans, caramelized onions and bacon bits, while the New York dog has Grey Poupon, sweet red pepper relish, chopped onion, sauerkraut and celery salt.Also unique is the BLT hot dog accompanied by a side of either homemade cole slaw or chili. The BLT dog is served with bacon bits, diced plum tomatoes, shredded lettuce and mayonnaise.”I got the all beef-kosher hot dog, and I’m not even really a hot dog person,” said Mary Tucker, a customer who enjoyed a Popo’s hot dog Wednesday. “This is the best hot dog around for a cheap price.””My favorite is probably either the BLT dog or the taco dog,” said Popo’s employee Annie Norton.”The California dog is my favorite on the menu,” said employee Ally Rotger. The dog contains diced plum tomatoes, English cucumbers, diced radishes, sliced green onions, Hidden Valley ranch dressing and shredded lettuce.If choosing from more than a dozen styles of hot dogs is troubling to you, then good luck selecting an ice cream flavor from Kell’s Kreme for desert, which is also at the same location.