flipRoyal Hyde Park Cookout Hot Dogs
Royal Hyde Park Cookout Hot Dogs
Why this dish? On June 11, 1939, at Springwood (Hyde Park), FDR served hot dogs to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during a picnic. His mother Sara was scandalized, but the king had seconds — and the photo went around the world.
Hot frankfurter sausages in soft buns, condiments at will: the very symbol of American conviviality, elevated to a diplomatic gesture by Roosevelt.
When Their Majesties King George and the Queen came to Hyde Park, in that summer of '39, my mother was horrified that I would serve hot dogs to a sovereign! But I held firm: nothing like an American picnic, a hot sausage in its bun, to show our English cousins the true face of this country. The King, I was told, gladly had seconds, and the photograph went around the world. Believe me, diplomacy sometimes passes better through the stomach than through chancelleries.
- •Frankfurter sausages — one per guest, at least (base)
- •Long hot dog buns — the same number (support)
- •American yellow mustard — as desired (condiment)
- •Cold beer — to accompany adults (accompanying drink)
Royal Hyde Park Cookout Hot Dogs
Hot frankfurter sausages in soft buns, condiments at will: the very symbol of American conviviality, elevated to a diplomatic gesture by Roosevelt.
Why this dish? On June 11, 1939, at Springwood (Hyde Park), FDR served hot dogs to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during a picnic. His mother Sara was scandalized, but the king had seconds — and the photo went around the world.
When Their Majesties King George and the Queen came to Hyde Park, in that summer of '39, my mother was horrified that I would serve hot dogs to a sovereign! But I held firm: nothing like an American picnic, a hot sausage in its bun, to show our English cousins the true face of this country. The King, I was told, gladly had seconds, and the photograph went around the world. Believe me, diplomacy sometimes passes better through the stomach than through chancelleries.
Ingredients (period version)
- Frankfurter sausages — one per guest, at least (base)
- Long hot dog buns — the same number (support)
- American yellow mustard — as desired (condiment)
- Cold beer — to accompany adults (accompanying drink)
Ingredients
- Frankfurter-style sausages — 6 (base)
- Hot dog buns — 6 (support)
- Mild American mustard — to taste (condiment)
- Fresh onion, thinly sliced — 1 small (topping (optional))
- Sweet pickle relish — 2 tbsp (topping (optional))
Method
- Poach the sausages in simmering water for 5–8 minutes (do not boil, or they may burst), or grill them.
- Warm the buns over the steam from the pot or a few seconds on the grill, just to soften.
- Slip each sausage into its bun.
- Top with mustard, and optionally onion and relish.
- Serve immediately, outdoors if possible, like the Hyde Park picnic.
How it was made : The hot dog, popularized in American stadiums and streets in the early 20th century, was then a decidedly working-class food — which made serving it to royalty deliciously provocative.
The contemporary twist : Serve on a board with a small flag and call the plate "The King ate two," a wink at the original menu.
Sources : Archives of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library, menu of the royal picnic of June 11, 1939
Franklin D. Roosevelt · Charactorium
