The history of the Seattle dog
The common belief is that this unique blend of ingredients originated in 1988, the year when Nirvana, the grunge pioneers from Washington, relocated to Seattle. Around the same time, Hadley Longe, an Ohio native, also made his way to Seattle and began working at a bagel shop in Pioneer Square. He received the owner's approval to launch a hot dog cart, which he did in 1989. This turned out to be a smart move, as Pioneer Square is close to the city's stadiums and had a vibrant nightlife.
Longe shared with Seattle Weekly that he merged his passion for bagels with the popularity of hot dogs by substituting the traditional bun with a bialy stick—essentially bagel dough shaped into a bun and baked instead of boiled. Given the bagel connection, adding cream cheese was a logical choice.
Of course, there are rival origin tales. A bagel vendor named Otmane Bezzaz opened J&M Cafe in Pioneer Square and claims he created the cream cheese and hot dog combination in 1993. Soon after, multiple vendors emerged, particularly around concert venues, solidifying the dish's popularity. Joe Bernstein, who launched Joe's Grilled Gourmet Dogs in 1998, asserts he was among the first to label it a Seattle dog (though it was still referred to as a cream cheese dog in print in 1999). The exact timeline of when grilled onions became part of the dish is unclear, but many enthusiasts insist that a true Seattle dog must include them.
Making a Seattle dog at home
Nowadays, numerous vendors can whip up a delicious Seattle dog, but one standout is Dirty Dog, a Black-owned food cart that often visits the Capitol Hill area and various festivals. A unique feature is that they can prepare any of their specialty dogs in the Seattle style, complete with cream cheese and onions among other toppings. However, it's quite simple to create your own version at home.
Start by selecting the best hot dog available, one that can hold its own on a hot grill. You might want to try slightly larger, juicier options like Nathan's Bun Length franks, or fully embrace the Pacific Northwest theme with Fletcher's Seattle Mariners all-beef franks. For the buns, there's no need to opt for a bialy stick; instead, consider poppy or sesame seed buns for added flavor. Be sure to grill both the buns and the hot dogs (butterflying the dogs before grilling ensures even cooking).
Next, it's time for the toppings. Slice the onions into long strips rather than chopping them finely; they can be caramelized if you prefer. There's no need to get fancy with the cream cheese—classic Philadelphia cream cheese works perfectly, but whipped cream cheese is also a great option. Aim for your cream cheese to be cool, but not too cold, so it spreads easily on either side of the bun. Want to make it even more authentic? Use a Prince Castle Sauce Dispenser or a Wilton Dessert Decorator Pro to apply the cream cheese neatly and quickly.
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