@EastBluffCynic :
People from Chicago are just odd

I will put ketchup in my meat loaf and fried potatoes, but never on a hot dog! In my house, a hot dog gets pickle, relish, onion and mustard.

@ProfessorPlum :
I don't like any of the "my way is not only better but the only way" hostile arguments about regional foods from every area of the country (from NYC food snobs to Texas BBQ, etc)I think variety is necessary to living the highest quality life, so I enjoy many foods prepared in different ways.

They are not "JUST" hot dogs. 🌭

I love hot dogs! I personally like them with mustard and onion and sometimes chili is a good add on! I've always been a mustard eater (tenderloins and hamburgers), so I really can't image eating them with catsup.

I don't get the hate either. Eat your dogs how you like em. A Chicago dog ran through the garden is hard to beat. But so is a chilli dog with onion that's been wrapped in foil so the bun is all steamy. Or throw a dog on the grill and slather it in ketchup and pickle relish. Whatever blows yer hair back.

You know what else people get super hung-up about? Chili: beans or no beans? I like both kinds of chili, but there are some people out there who are adamant that there's only one right way to make chili.

I'm noticing no one here is putting Ranch dressing on their hot dog.
Crazy as it seems, I grew up eating ketchup on hot dogs in a German family (no bun, just white bread), but mom always bought them at Rocke's in Morton and they weren't your skinny 2 oz. or less hot dogs. Not the size of a Brat, but bigger and longer than your normal Oscar Mayer.
Decades later, I worked at GFS. They carried Best Kosher All Beef Franks. They seemed to have a bit of Polish Sausage flavor to it. Best dang hot dog ever. Didn't need any toppings. The Sara Lee bought them out and discontinued the line.
Now I tend to eat them with mustard and onions and sauerkraut if it is available.

@PeoriaChronicle : Depending on what folklore you believe....
Supposedly chili was derived from re-hydrating dried spiced beef chunks during long cattle drives from the SW to other parts of the country. Eventually, beans were added to feed the slave labor workers or prisoners because beans were cheaper. Tomato product was added after chili was domesticated and fresh ground or chunks of beef were used.
Ah, but alas, there are many other theories such as it came from Spain. Paprika as we know it today, is different than it used to be. Today it is mainly one pepper/chile that is used in the production. In the 1800s, there were regional differences and a blend of different chiles. These blends were eventually called chili powder and used to season more heavy flavored foods such as beef, pork, and lamb instead of dishes like paella. I don't know if there were ever beans in Spanish "Chili".
Another is a modification of tradition Hungarian Goulash (not the Americanized version that is ground beef and macaroni nonsense). Chunks of beef rubbed with lots of paprika and pepper (and sometimes caraway seed), browned (usually in bacon fat) with some onion and maybe carrot, liquid added (take your pick: water, stock, wine) and cooked until beef is tender and liquid reduced. Once again, bean-less.
I think no matter which theory one believes, beans were almost always an after thought.
My chili preference follows the Hungarian Goulash/Spain version. Chunks of beef heavily rubbed with a blend of different Chile Powders, browned with some onion and garlic, maybe some bell pepper, beef stock, tomato paste, more chili powder, and cook until beef starts to shred. Sometimes beans, sometimes not.

Back to the subject of hot dogs,,,,

@EastBluffCynic :
I made Chicago dogs for dinner last night..delicious.

@CCubs :
Ketchup on 2 pieces of bologna?

Now growing up in East Peoria this is what a chili dog looked like.

@tntrecycling : I would rather starve.

@tntrecycling : To me, that's a Coney Dog. A chilli dog has chilli (with beans) on it. Wonder Dog has both on their menu. They call a Coney Dog, "Wonder Dog".