National Hot Dog Day 2018: Where to get hot dog freebies and weiner deals Wednesday

Kelly Tyko | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Is the hot dog a sandwich? Answer Man John Boyle tries to get to the bottom of the great debate rending the nation apart: Is the hot dog a sandwich?

UPDATED: National Hot Dog Day is over and was July 18. Look for new deals on the Money page.

Mustard or ketchup?

Let's be frank, there are few debates that hot dog fans take as seriously as what's the best way to top a dog.

In time for National Hot Dog Day Wednesday, fast-food restaurants and other eateries are offering discounts and freebies on what some have called the "tube steak."

JJ’s Red Hots has released its list of the most popular hot dog toppings. For the fifth year in a row, mustard tops the list.

The Charlotte-based hot dog restaurant based its survey on more than 1 million hot dogs served during the company’s first six years.

Tomorrow = #NationalHotDogDay Stop in for $2 ALL AMERICAN (relish, onions, mustard) *all day, all locations* pic.twitter.com/lTtXu1GkEx — JJ's Red Hots (@JJsRedHots) July 17, 2018

Ketchup, the popular tomato condiment, is at the bottom of the list.

“I think the reason ketchup is so low on our list is because of the glare I give guests when they order it,” said Jonathan Luther, founder of the three-unit brand. “I’m with Dirty Harry on that particular topping. But for real, it is not as popular as it once was with so many other choices available.”

In the hit movie "Dirty Harry," Clint Eastwood as Harry Callahan spoke of what should never go on a hot dog.

"Nobody, I mean nobody, puts ketchup on a hot dog," Eastwood said.

Wednesday also is National Sour Candy Day, National Caviar Day and at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, it's Free Pizookie Day. At BJ's, with a minimum $9.95 food purchase, get a free Pizookie at participating locations.

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Do you live in a hamburger state or a hot dog state? Lines have been drawn.

Hot dog deals

Offers and participation can vary by location and unless otherwise noted these deals are only available July 18. To be on the safe side, contact your closest location.

7-Eleven: Big Bite hot dogs are $1 Wednesday at the convenience store chain.

Dog Haus: Get a free hot dog Wednesday by downloading the Dog Haus Rewards App and then registering for the program. This deal is for new app users and dine-in only, while supplies last.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar: The Great Hambino, which combines a beef patty with a hot dog, is $5 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday during happy hour.

Score a FREE Haus Dog on July 18th #NationalHotDogDay when you download our app & register! >> https://t.co/hQZl9gsts5#TheAPPsoluteWurst #DogHaus

Free Haus Dog @ participating locations, for new app users, on 7/18. Limit 1 per person. Dine in orders only. While supplies last. pic.twitter.com/aez2KfozFC — Dog Haus (@DogHausDogs) July 15, 2018

Hot Dog on a Stick: This chain is celebrating National Hot Dog Day on July 23, according to a news release. On Monday, get a free spicy stick item with any lemonade purchase.

Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries: From 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, hot dogs are 99 cents each, limit two and dine-in only, for members of the My Hwy 55 Rewards Program. To get the deal, the company says you have to download the app before Wednesday and you also will get a coupon for a free milkshake for downloading.

Kwik Trip: Through Thursday, corn dogs are $1.

Did you know it’s #NationalHotDogDay? You better ketchup…

Click the link below. The Love’s cashier scans the barcode on your mobile device. Valid July 18, 2018. Limited to 1 per Customer. No other offers apply. At select locations. While supplies last. https://t.co/80mVamWGXw pic.twitter.com/kjrbr2kXLq — Love's Travel Stops (@LovesTravelStop) July 18, 2018

Love's Travel Stops: Get a free hot dog or roller grill item with a coupon that will be posted on Love's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.

Philly Pretzel Factory: Pretzel dogs are $1 Wednesday and the first 100 people at each location get a card for a $1 pretzel dog each day in August.

Pilot Flying J: With the myPilot app Wednesday, get a coupon for a free hot dog or roller grill item.

Chili Cheese or All American? The choice is yours! Text DOG to 876642 to snag $1 Hot Dogs all day tomorrow, July 18. Limit 5. Must mention text to get deal. pic.twitter.com/trW6M2wryi — Sonic Drive-In (@sonicdrivein) July 17, 2018

Portillo’s: Through Sunday, get two Portillo’s hot dogs for $5. Not valid on jumbo hot dogs, polish sausages or Italian sausages. While supplies last.

Sonic Drive-In: The chain's Chili Cheese and All American Hot Dogs are $1 at participating locations Wednesday with a coupon you get by texting DOG to 876642. Limit five. Corn dogs also are 99 cents during Happy Hour from 2 to 4 p.m. daily.

Wienerschnitzel: Get five Original Chili Dogs for $5 at participating locations Wednesday. Also find coupons at www.wienerschnitzel.com/specials.

5 easy ways to upgrade your hot dog this July 4th Your hot dog deserves more than just a pedestrian squirt of mustard.

Survey results

According to JJ’s Red Hots, which has featured more than 350 toppings on its hot dogs since 2012, these are the top toppings in order of preference:

Mustard Chili Relish Sauerkraut Onions Cheese Bacon Tomatoes Salsa Ketchup

Kelly Tyko is a consumer columnist and retail reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Read her Bargainista tips at TCPalm.com/Bargainista, follow her on Twitter @KellyTyko and email her at kelly.tyko@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her weekly newsletter at www.tcpalm.com/featured-newsletter/bargainistabest.