Recipes and Tips

Baseball Franks

What goes better with baseball than a good frank? Our answer is nothing, however if you want to add a little variety and excitement around your ball game, try one of these great recipes.
We teamed up with professional Grill Master Brendan Burek of New England BBQ and Catering.


Fenway Franks

  • Steamed Kayem Fenway Beef Franks
  • Relish
  • Spicy Brown Mustard
  • Onion
  • New England Style, Top Split bun

Like the Red Sox, the Fenway Frank is a hometown staple, and a game wouldn't be the same without one of these franks in your hand. As with many parts of the park, the Fenway Frank got a facelift in 2009; as Kayem became the new source of the franks. These signature blended franks are meaty, juicy with a touch of smoke and garlic. Just like the park itself, this flavor doesn't need to me covered up. While a list of basic topping is available, diehards will skip them altogether; maybe allowing a slight touch of mustard to these beef franks and steamed New England Style split top roll.

 

Chicago Style

  • Beef Natural Casing Franks required
    (Kayem Old Tyme Natural Casing Franks are perfect for this)
  • Yellow mustard
  • Diced sweet onions
  • Green relish
  • Dill pickle spear
  • Tomato slice
  • Sport peppers
  • Celery salt
  • Steamed Poppy Seed bun

The Chicago dog shares a single element with our hometown favorite. It's a steamed beef frank, that's where the similarities end. First of all for a Chicago dog you start with a natural casing frank, and in our opinion none work better than a Kayem Old Tyme beef frank. It also has 7 toppings, and this doesn't count the roll or the hot dog itself. To the experts, this frank's toppings are not up for debate, they are specific, even down to the order in which they are applied. The idea being that with each bite you get a small taste of each topping. So the order? Start with a poppy seed bun, natural casing beef frank inside. 1) Yellow mustard 2) Bright neon green relish 3) Chopped sweet onions 4) Two tomato wedges 5) Pickle spear 6) Two sport peppers 7) Dash of celery salt.

 

New York Style

  • Boiled Beef Franks
  • Deli mustard
  • Sauerkraut
  • Steamed bun
  • Onion sauce
  • Mustard

The famous New York Street Dog, also referred to as a dirty water dog, is the classic New York Street food. Available all over the city, from Manhattan to the shadow of Yankee Stadium these dogs are classics. Vendors store them in a warm water bath until service, at which point they are topped with a slathering of toppings. Besides the most classic additions, such as mustard and sauerkraut, many opt also add a sweet tomato/onion based sauce that was invented by Alan Geisler (MIT grad).

 

Dodger Dogs

  • Kayem Jumbo Pork/ Beef Dogs
  • Foot long rolls
  • Diced Onions
  • Ballpark yellow mustard
  • Pickle Relish

Dodger Dogs are available in two varieties at the stadium, steamed or grilled. The grilled version is considered the authentic version of the hot dog. The dog itself is a Pork/ Beef blend and has been around in some version since about 1958. The dogs are grilled, while the buns are steamed; usually topped with mustard and diced onions. Pickle relish is optional.

 

Cincinnati Cheese Coney

  • Beef & Pork Kayem Old Tyme Natural; Casing Farnks Franks
  • Cinncinati Chilli
  • Mustard
  • Chopped Onions
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese

While the origin name is up for debate, its inventors are not. Created at the Empress Restaurant by Greek brothers, this dog was a combination of their home country and the German roots of many of their customers (Greek food wasn't selling so well). The chili used is typically beef, with heavy cinnamon, allspice and cumin. The franks are grilled, the bun is steamed,topped with chili, mustard and chopped onions. The finishing touch is shredded cheese,lots of it, approximately an entire handful per dog.

 

Houston Most Wanted

  • Beef frank
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Beef Brisket
  • Chopped Onions
  • Pickles
  • Sub Roll

What would you expect from Texas? BBQ of course. This favorite at Astros games features a frank topped with slow smoked chopped BBQ beef brisket, BBQ sauce, finished off with chopped onions and slices of pickles.

 

Sonoran Dog

Although this dog doesn't have a strict baseball heritage, we felt it was worth mentioning. Found as a regular feature at hot dog stands in the Tuscan area, this dog has been started popping up around the country. Think of it as a chili dog on steroids. With a sub roll base, line the bun with ketchup and mustard, topped with a bacon wrapped dog, warm pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, cheese and sliced jalapenos.

 

Grilling Tip

DO use tongs. DON'T pierce the casing. When you lose the juice, you lose the flavor!

See all grilling tips

Brendan Burek, owner of New England Barbecue Catering at Fenway Park