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Congrats to Oscar whose comment (#414) was randomly selected to win the $25 gift card. Thanks to everyone who shared their ideas for the best dog toppings!

--------------------- Lawn chair dining and hot dogs were meant for each other. It’s about the easiest food you can eat with one hand and your feet propped up. Plus, it frees up the other hand for an ice-cold beverage, a beach ball or a high-five. Oh yeah, and most kids and kids-at-heart love them. (Read on for a chance to win a $25 gift card.) But things can get downright serious when it comes to topping a dog. My favorites are the classic trio: ketchup, yellow mustard and pickle relish, always in that order. But my classic is blasphemy to others. “Ketchup on a hot dog?” they gasp. “Oh, no!” Take the “Chicago Style” dog. It’s often referred to as being “dragged through the garden” because it’s loaded with toppings - mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, tomatoes, pickled peppers, a dill pickle spear and celery salt - but never, never ketchup. Then there’s the “Coney Island” dog that actually originated in the Midwest.  It’s smothered in a beanless, all-meat chili, diced yellow onion and yellow mustard. But if you’re eating a hot dog on Coney Island then it’s probably topped with mustard, sauerkraut and maybe some sweet onion sauce. If you’ve avoided hot dogs since you were a kid because you’re not sure what’s in ‘em, here are our tips on picking the top dog.

• Don’t overdo it with preservatives. We only sell “uncured” hot dogs, which means they don’t contain added synthetic sodium nitrite.
• Our hot dogs are held to the same high standards as all our other products. They’re made with meat from animals raised without antibiotics or added growth hormones. And they’re not stuffed with additives and fillers. (FYI – Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising pork, bison and poultry.)
• There really is a dog for everyone, regardless of dietary preference: beef (grass-fed and organic choices, too), pork, turkey, chicken, meatless, even a whole small zucchini!

What about the bun?

• If you’re not willing to give up the classic soft white bun, you can still get the most out of your food dollar by choosing a white bun made from untreated flour and no artificial flavors or preservatives.
• If you want to get even more nutrient value for your money, go for whole wheat or sprouted whole-grain buns. Keep in mind that “wheat” is not the same as “whole wheat.”
• You can even choose a bun that’s not a bun. Try sliced bread (look for whole wheat or sprouted whole grain here, too), whole-grain pitas or corn tortillas.

So what hot dog toppings are tops in your book? By May 26^th, enter a comment letting us know how you top your dog, and we’ll choose a random winner to receive a $25 gift card. A fun way to use some of that loot is to host a budget-friendly backyard cookout and set out an assortment of condiments for a dress-your-own hot dog bar. Use The Whole Deal value guide to plan your summer party. With over $40 in coupons, budget tips and simple warm-weather recipes you’ll be able to relax and enjoy, in your lawn chair with your feet propped up.