Season's Eatings

I've always been told that you really don't want to know what is in a hot dog...but apparently some people have decided that the standard hot dog ingredients just aren't enough. The solution? Add reindeer meat.

Chicago Sun-Times:

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose -- and a coat of mustard and grilled onions.

That's the gist of a menu special being offered through December at fRedhots and Fries, a hot dog stand in Glenview -- a reindeer hot dog dressed the way Alaskans like it, in a poppyseed bun the way Chicagoans like it.

...The reindeer dog, which costs $8, is made by Indian Valley Meats of Indian, Alaska.

It's actually a blend of reindeer meat, beef and pork. Because reindeer meat is so lean, it needs fat to add flavor. An all-reindeer hot dog would just taste like "rubber," said Cathy Drum, whose family owns Indian Valley Meats.

I'm guessing the reindeer dog has limited appeal. That said, if it ends up at Miller Park, I'd say the reindeer dog has to be the early favorite in the sausage race.