If you love a good hot dog and live in the New Orleans area, then you're in for a treat! On National Hot Dog Day, Dat Dog at 5030 Freret St. will be hosting its 7th annual National Hot Dog Day Celebration. This celebration, taking place on Wednesday, July 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., will feature a Top Chef-style competition to choose Dat Dog's next "Son of a Saint 'Dog."
This year's winning Son of a Saint dog will be featured on the menu at all of Dat Dog's locations until the next dog is chosen next year. The sale of each Son of a Saint dog directly benefits the Son of a Saint organization, founded by Bivan "Sonny" Lee, III, which supports fatherless boys in the New Orleans area by providing them with mentors and opportunities.
Three finalists will be chosen to compete at the National Hot Dog Day Celebration. These three lucky finalists will present their gourmet dog to a panel of celebrity judges, including Urban South Brew Master Alex Flores, two-time James Beard Award Winning Chef Alon Shaya, and Host of WGNO's Good Morning New Orleans Tamica Lee. Other hot dog lovers are encouraged to come out and watch the winning dog be chosen while Master of Ceremonies, WVUE/FOX 8 Anchor Rob Krieger, keeps the crowd entertained.
Urban South Brewery, another partner of the Son of a Saint organization, will also be in attendance at the event. Urban South will be providing a keg of its current limited edition "Building Lives" beer, the proceeds of which usually go to benefitting Son of Saint. During the National Hot Dog Day Celebration, complimentary cups of the current Building Lives beer, a fruited sour brewed with guava and banana, will be available to attendees 21 and over while supplies last.
"Our partnership with Dat Dog has been tremendous and this year's continued partnership is more needed than ever," Lee said. "We are thrilled to continue this event in our usual tradition, welcoming all our friends, partners and supporters in person at Dat Dog's Freret Street location."
For more information about the event, visit Dat Dog's Facebook
page.