Red hot or white hot?

For many people, nothing tastes like summer than a hot dog. In Rochester, we have the choice of two different kinds -- red and white. In fact, Rochesterians usually drop the "dog" from the name and call them "red hots" and "white hots."

Red hots are the hot dogs everyone grew up with. White hots are neither cured nor smoked, which gives them their distinctive color. My personal opinion is that white hots have a milder flavor than red hots. They have been compared to bratwurst, but as a person who has spent a lot of time in Wisconsin, I will tell you that they are nothing like brats! (To be honest, I much prefer a brat.)

Zwiegle's is generally the hot dog brand of choice in these parts, but the Wegmans store brand is also very good.

If you really want to eat a white hot like a Rochesterian, you'll get it topped with a ground beef-based hot sauce that's another local specialty. I've tried to make the sauce a couple of times but I've never achieved a version I'm happy with. When I do, I'll be sure to post it.

So if you're ever in the Rochester area, go to one of the many hot dog joints in the area, and order a white hot with hot sauce. You'll get a taste of Rochester that you can't find anywhere else.