NATIONWIDE — Few other foods produce visions of amusement parks, baseball stadiums and summer fun quite like the hot dog. So it’s no surprise National Hot Dog Day is celebrated on July 18.

Although the origin of where the hot dog originated, Frankfurt, Germany, is commonly given the credit, the term “hot dog” is also a mystery. One version of the term says the word was coined in 1901 at the New York Polo Grounds. Vendors were selling hot dogs from portable hot water tanks, shouting "They're red hot! Get your dachshund sausages while they're red hot!" A New York Journal sports cartoonist observed the scene and drew a cartoon of barking dachshund sausages nestled warmly in rolls. Not sure how to spell "dachshund" he simply wrote "hot dog!"

To celebrate, several chains are giving customers deals on hot dogs:

7-Eleven: Any Big Bite hot dog is $1 throughout the day.

 Hopdoddy Burger Bar: The Austin-based restaurant is offering The Great Hambino, which combines a beef patty with a hot dog, for $5 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday during happy hour.

 

 

Love's Travel Stops: Get a free hot dog or roller grill item with the coupon below from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.

 

 

Sonic Drive-In: Chili Cheese and All American Hot Dogs are $1 at participating locations Wednesday with a coupon you get by texting DOG to 876642. Corn dogs also are 99 cents during happy hour from 2 to 4 p.m. daily. 

 

 

Wienerschnitzel: Get five Original Chili Dogs for $5 at participating locations Wednesday. Also find coupons at www.wienerschnitzel.com/specials.