Half-smoke
 Chili half-smoke at Ben's Chili Bowl |
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| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Washington, D.C. |
| Details | |
| Course | Main course |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredient(s) | Pork, beef |
A half-smoke is a "local sausage delicacy"[1] found in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding region. Similar to a hot dog, but usually larger, spicier, and with more coarsely-ground meat, the sausage is often half-pork and half-beef, smoked, and served with a bevy of herbs, onion, and chili sauce.
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[edit] Ingredients and preparation
Though the etymology of "half-smoke" possibly comes from the original half-pork, half-beef composition, the ingredients and smoked method of preparation,[original research?] vary by brand and some brands even make more than one kind. A half-smoke can be 50% pork, 50% beef or 100% beef or anywhere in between; it can be steamed instead of smoked.[2] Another possible explanation is that the texture and flavor is half way between smoked sausage and a regular hotdog. Yet another explanation is that it refers to many cooks cutting the sausage in half when grilling. In any case, the products sold under the name generally have a genuine or artificial smoke flavoring and coarser texture than a regular hotdog and are the key features that distinguish. [3]
[edit] History
The "original" half-smoke is considered to be the sausage distributed by D.C.'s Briggs and Co. meatpackers, originating in around 1950, though Raymond Briggs started selling his half-smokes circa 1930. Eventually Briggs was sold to another meat distributor, where, by some accounts, the quality of the meat eroded.[3]
[edit] Venues
Numerous hot dog carts in Washington, D.C. sell steamed half-smokes, with those on Constitution Avenue catering to tourists and those on Pennsylvania Avenue serving federal employees and many other hot dog carts throughout the downtown area. Half-smokes are the "official dog" of the Washington Nationals.[4] The most prominent location is often cited as Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington's U Street neighborhood, which gained widespread exposure when visited by President Barack Obama in 2009.[1]
Another popular location for half-smokes is the Weenie Beenie in South Arlington located near the W&OD trail. Founded in 1950, it pre-dates Ben's Chili Bowl and is the inspiration behind the Foo Fighters song "Weenie Beenie".
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ a b Carr, David (2009-01-16). "A Monument to Munchies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
- ^ "Look No Further! The Thrilling End Of The Grueling Search For A Washington Dish". The Washington Post. 2000-10-08. p. W26. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
- ^ a b Jamieson, Dave (2007-01-26). "The Missing Link". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
- ^ http://www.seriouseats.com/2008/04/the-new-nationals-dog-washington-dcs-half-smoke.html
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