If there’s a chili cheese dog discussion going on, it’s probably dominated by Dairy Queen and Sonic, but a third chain has defined their entire brand around the concept. Based in California, Wienerschnitzel was founded on hot dogs. And that’s why the chili sauce on their chili cheese dog is the strongest of all.
A chain built around hot dogs
Wienerschnitzel is famously billed as the world’s largest hot dog chain. As opposed to competitors who focus on burgers first, hot dogs are all that Wienerschnitzel does. And that specialization influences the restaurant’s ingredients, sourcing and preparation of the chili cheese dog.
Origins in Wilmington, California
As for the franchise chain, it was founded by John Galardi, who opened the first stand in Wilmington, California in 1961 under the name Der Wienerschnitzel. The name was simplified without the “Der” in 2011 as the chain celebrated 50 years.
The name that means nothing
The company’s own CEO has admitted that the name is actually wrong, as the word is for a veal cutlet rather than a hot dog. One of Glen Bell, the Taco Bell founder’s, saw the word in a cookbook, and recommended it, as told to NBC Los Angeles. The company has not let that to get in the way of the brand.
Chilis are the essential ingredient
According to the leader of Wienerschnitzel, the hot dog and chili are the two staples of the menu. The company states that its chili is a “proprietary recipe, and the original recipe is still a secret. Chili is on dogs, on burgers and on fries. That means it is the whole theme of the menu.
The chili dog as a best seller
The executive told Nation’s Restaurant News that chili dogs were the chain’s top seller. He added that any item with chili on it moves well. So, a chili cheese dog is just the top seller covered in cheese.
The original dog versus the premium options
Chili Cheese Dog The chili dog is offered on the World Famous Original, a Premium Beef dog and a Polish sausage; the price moves up as the dog size increases. Two bases offer customers the choice of the usual size proportions and a more substantial, larger dog.
Chili and cheese in proportion
Much fast food chili dogs come up short on balance, with too much chili making the bun soggy. One reviewer who ate at a Wienerschnitzel said the ratios were spot on, with enough chili to get the flavor but not so much that you couldn’t hold it in your hand. Just imagine a sauce that never gets to eat the dog.
The Junkyard Dog
For those who want more, the Junkyard Dog is a chili cheese dog with some additional toppings. It was tested with an earlier version of it with cheese, onions, mustard and fries on it, and has now gone on to be one of the chain’s most well-known specialty dogs. It’s perfect if you want a loaded dog but don’t want to leave the chain.
Chili cheese fries as the natural pairing
Chili Cheese Fries Been on the menu for a long time and the same chili as the dogs. Order with everything to keep the flavor of the chili the same. There are also bacon ranch and buffalo bacon versions on the menu to try.
An indicator of reliability
Company literature from 2011 stated Wienerschnitzel sold more than 120 million hot dogs annually. The quantity counts because a dish so straightforward needs to be churned out reliably. For a chain selling at that rate, the chili cheese dog needs to be spot-on every time, and the bun-dog-chili-cheese combo works at any outlet.
Where Wienerschnitzel stands today
The chain is wholly franchised and has a strong hold in the western United States. It reported 351 locations in 10 states and Guam in 2011. When you are passing through California or the neighboring states if you don’t live within its footprint it is worth a detour.
