Jarret Kerr and Joachim Boyle, the co-founders of Hot Dog Day Afternoon, recently proved their hot dog-making prowess on “Good Morning America.” Plus they joined us with three killer hot dog recipes that will knock your socks off! The small restaurant, located in South Slope, Brooklyn, has garnered attention for its unique take on classic American hot dogs.
Joachim, an Illinois native from Oak Park, has more than 15 years of experience in the restaurant business. His personal path has led him from busser to general manager of some of Brooklyn’s best eateries. He’s spent hours and hours studying the craft to get that Chicago dog just right. This longtime favorite pet project always steals the show at his event Hot Dog Day Afternoon. To the surprise of many, including one of the co-founders, Jarret Kerr, who jokingly confessed, “I’ve never been to Chicago.” His intolerance for subpar hot dogs is equally evident. So, with a twinkle in his smirk, he proudly proclaims, “I’ve never met a hot dog I didn’t like!”
During their television appearance, Kerr and Boyle showcased three delicious hot dogs: the Chicago dog, the all-beef chili cheese dog, and the classic New York dog. Each recipe shows how their quality commitment emphasizes using the best ingredients and respecting authentic preparation methods.
The Chicago dog has a pretty classic foundation—a natural casing Vienna beef hot dog cozy in a soft poppy seed potato roll. It is topped with yellow mustard, bright green sweet pickle relish, chopped white onions, sliced tomato, a dill pickle spear, sport peppers, and a sprinkle of celery salt. Boyle, who spent years perfecting the recipe’s flavors, stressed the need for authenticity in this recipe.
The all-beef chili cheese dog is packed with flavor! It features a house-made beef chili, redolent with deep aromatics from ancho and New Mexico chilis. As Kerr described it, that chili bubbles down to magic, blooming into a gorgeous broth. It’s made with a combination of pureed chipotle pepper, garlic, onion and ground beef. This luxe topping duo definitely adds the big KC flavor to make any guest’s hot dog moment the best ever.
The iconic New York street dog features a mouthwatering smear of caramelized onions. These sugar onions add the ideal touch of sweetness to each mouthful. This cardinal addition underscores the pioneering duo’s mastery of flavor construction.
Kerr and Boyle hooked the crowd up with pro tips for whipping up their signature hot dogs at home. They recommended data-based cooking techniques to steam, grill, boil and microwave your way to the hot dog of your dreams.
“For extra char, butterfly your dog (split down the middle lengthwise) and place on the grill for maximum grilling surface area,” – they (Jarret Kerr and Joachim Boyle).
They recommended a small cooking weight/pressed for assistance. This will force the dog down onto the grill and give it that beautiful extra crispy bite!
“When all else fails, simply boiling the dogs works too,” – they (Jarret Kerr and Joachim Boyle).
If you’re looking for an unconventional steaming technique, consider using a rice cooker. Fill it with at least three cups of water and steam away the $#!% oozing hot dog until their plump-juicy perfection!
“If you have a simple rice cooker, you fill the hull with about three cups of water and let it steam,” – they (Jarret Kerr and Joachim Boyle).
