Non-beef or pork hot dog bar options

[countthestars]

My H came up with a hot dog bar for DD's birthday and I remembered that CloudBee did the same for her son's birthday. I found the post link but was wondering if you guys could help me think of what to do for the people who don't eat beef or pork.

I have about 4 people who don't eat hot dogs (no beef or pork) and three people who are pregnant and may not want to eat Nitrates. 

Would you do chicken sausage? Turkey dogs? A tray of grilled chicken and make sure these people get food early just in case the chicken is a big hit?

[darkling_glory]

They make veggie hot dogs that are very tasty. I like the smart life brand.

[Deleted]

I think some kind of turkey or chicken sausage would be good. I find Costco usually has a good selection.

[Deleted]

You can get nitrate free hot dogs. I find them at my crunchy community operated grocery store, but I bet Whole Foods has them, or any other natural food type stores. You can also get veggie dogs, or chicken dogs, or whatever.

[h]

I have a pretty easy time finding nitrate free hotdogs these days. My regular grocery store has the Oscar Myer nitrate free products, and they come in turkey and chicken versions. I would just get those.

[Deleted]

I would go with grilled chicken or chicken/turkey sausages and plenty of vegetarian-friendly side dishes. Not everyone likes veggie-dogs or veggie burgers (even vegetarians), and meat-eaters who just avoid meat or pork might find them off-putting. IME, preparing something "special" for people with dietary restrictions without asking them their preference first can really put them on the spot to eat something they don't like because you went out of your way and prepared it just for them. It's pretty easy to say something like "We'll have hot dogs for the kids, and some grilled chicken for anyone who doesn't eat hot-dogs. Is this okay?" Most people would either say yes it's fine, or offer to bring something of their choice to throw on the grill.

[perkyderky]

I'm about 99% sure that all of Applegate Farms hot dogs are Nitrite and Nitrate free.  While I much prefer a beef (it's humanely raised beef) dog, I'm know they also sell Turkey dogs, and I'm pretty sure they also sell chicken dogs.  Offerings a completely different option like grilled chicken will only make your life more difficult.  I might do half beef dogs, and half chicken or turkey dogs and be done with it.

I know I've seen the beef dogs at most of my grocery stores, but for the wider options, you might have to go to a specialty grocery store or health food store.  In my area, a pack of 8 dogs runs about $5  HTH

[raangoli]

May 28, 2014 8:23:07 GMT -5 perkyderky said:

I'm about 99% sure that all of Applegate Farms hot dogs are Nitrite and Nitrate free.  While I much prefer a beef (it's humanely raised beef) dog, I'm know they also sell Turkey dogs, and I'm pretty sure they also sell chicken dogs.  Offerings a completely different option like grilled chicken will only make your life more difficult.  I might do half beef dogs, and half chicken or turkey dogs and be done with it.

I know I've seen the beef dogs at most of my grocery stores, but for the wider options, you might have to go to a specialty grocery store or health food store.  In my area, a pack of 8 dogs runs about $5  HTH

I was going to suggest the Applegate farms as well, but that only really helps some folks and not the vegetarians. PPs had some other good suggestions to round out the food choices for the day. 

[Deleted]

Just want to point out that any hot dog brand claiming to be nitrate free is probably using celery to cure their meat--Applegate definitely is. In fact, almost all of a persons nitrate intake comes from vegetables like lettuce, celery and beets.

[countthestars]

May 28, 2014 9:04:10 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

Just want to point out that any hot dog brand claiming to be nitrate free is probably using celery to cure their meat--Applegate definitely is. In fact, almost all of a persons nitrate intake comes from vegetables like lettuce, celery and beets.

Thanks! I don't even know if the pregnants care about nitrates but I know that it's one of the things some doctors steer you away from when pregnant.

[magdala]

DH is a vegetarian. For cook-outs, I slice eggplant into rounds, marinate in balsamic vinegar, and grill them. I serve on hamburger buns with cheese and burger type fixings (cheeses, lettuce, tomato, mustard etc).

[countthestars]

Thanks everyone! All of our guests eat turkey and chicken so I'm not to worried about a strictly vegetarian option. It sounds like I can probably go with turkey dogs or chicken sausage but will check in with my guests who don't eat beef and pork.

[pamela]

I get the turkey premium Oscar Mayer hot dogs.

[msmerymac]

Black bean burgers?

For those who eat meat, chicken breast might be a nice alternative.

[jennistarr1]

so if I went to a party that had a hot dog bar and a tray of grilled chicken, I would have both...thinking of it as another entree, not "oh, this must be for people who can't eat hot dogs".  That said, I see no reason not to have another solid options there...maybe mac n cheese...so something you expect everyone to eat but people who don't eat hotdogs might have more of

[Deleted]

Morning Star veggie hot dogs are great! I'm not even a vegetarian but I prefer them to regular hot dogs.