Montanans Allegedly Love Hamdogs. We Had to Look it Up.

We frequently receive article ideas from various groups that offer to provide stats on random things in Montana, based on Google Analytics. Simply put, they compile data based on what search terms people are using in each state and we can turn that information into something like "Is Baby Ruth the Most Popular Halloween Candy in Montana?"

Just because we're searching, doesn't make it popular.

I got one of those emails today about hotdogs. Yes, hotdogs... the lowly frankfurter made with random, ground-up, "leftover" body parts of chickens, pigs, and cows. I know they're kind of gross if you think about how hotdogs are made, but I actually enjoy an occasional hotdog. It's my go-to snack at Metra events (why do theirs always taste so much better?!) and I'll throw them on the grill throughout the year at home.

Do they really think we eat hotdogs with ham?

Coventry Direct analyzed 90 popular varieties of hotdog topping styles in each state and came to the conclusion that Montanans like to eat hamdogs. I'm sorry, but I've never heard of anyone in the Treasure State doing this. Nor have I ever witnessed hotdogs with ham at any backyard barbeque, restaurant, or other events. But wait... hamdogs are not what you think they might be.

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What is a hamdog?

According to Macmillan Dictionary, a hamdog isn't a hotdog topped with cold cuts. They describe the item as an odd, food-hybrid creation,

A Hamdog is, surprise, surprise, a hybrid of two of our best loved meaty fast foods, hamburgers and hotdogs. It consists of a conventional burger patty of minced [ground] beef, which has been sliced down the middle into two equal semi-circles, thereby leaving just the right space to accommodate a juicy pink frankfurter sausage.

Meh. I'll pass on hamdogs. Would you give them a try? Let me know how they are.