What Does It Mean To Order A Hot Dog 'Wet' At Wienerschnitzel?

Have you ever been to Wienerschnitzel? Unless you live on the East Coast or the Southwest, you're probably wondering why we're sitting here talking in German. Wienerschnitzel is, as the name "wiener" implies, a fast-food company specializing in hot dogs, although fast-food staples like burgers and fries are still available for sale.

According to the company's history, the first Wienerschitnzel opened in 1961 in Southern California, where a man by the name of John Galardi operated a single stand. Galardi wasn't a newcomer to the fast-food scene, having previously worked with Glen Bell Jr., the founder of the Taco Bell restaurant chain (via The SB Sun). It was during his work in Bell's restaurant operation that Galardi noticed that, among all of the chain's competitors, no one was selling hot dogs. Sensing an untapped market, Galardi struck it out on his own, deciding to open a restaurant that specialized in all things frankfurter.

While the restaurant doesn't actually sell schnitzel, with the name having come about as a suggestion from Galardi's wife (via Nation's Restaurant News), Galardi's original goal to sell hot dogs has made Wienerschnitzel a successful endeavor. Customers have a wide selection of hot dogs to choose from, ranging from chili dogs and cheese dogs to even more unconventional combinations like "wet hot dogs." How can you order a hot dog "wet," and most importantly, what comes on it?

Have you ever wanted a hamburger, but also found yourself wanting a chili dog? If only there was a way you could combine both meat products into one singular meal, surely the zest of the chili dog meeting the classic hamburger flavors would make for a scrumptious snack. At Wienerschnitzel, it's entirely possible that you can order such a thing, and no one will blink an eye.

According to Thrillist, a "wet hot dog" is a chili dog that's been stuffed with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. While not "on the menu," per se, you can still order it by asking for a chili dog with those select toppings. It's pretty much a hamburger inside of a chili dog, save for the beef patty. While this "wet dog" may be a secret menu item, it actually bears a notable similarity to the restaurant's veggie dogs. 

According to QSR Magazine, the chain announced in January of 2022 that it would be selling vegetarian-friendly hot dogs, one of which is called the "Backyard Veggie Dog," which is topped with ketchup, mustard, pickle spears, tomatoes, and American cheese. Although the hot dog lacks chili (for obvious reasons regarding the vegan-friendly moniker), the ingredient list is quite similar to what you could order on a "wet dog."

In case you thought that adding hamburger toppings to your chili dog would create the dog to end all dogs, you may be surprised (and we pray that you are sitting down as you read this) that you can order a chili dog stacked with everything from French fries to caramelized onions all in one bun.

According to Wienerschnitzel, the "Junkyard Dog" is a hot dog that has been loaded with a variety of toppings, such as "French Fries, world-famous Chili sauce, a slice of American cheese, French mustard, and grilled onions." This isn't even counting the types of hot dogs you can get with it, such as Polish, All-Beef, or Original, making it a rather impressive frank that stands out against your average mustard and relish combo.

But how is such a hot dog that's been loaded down with fried potatoes and grilled onions? An Immovable Feast's review of the hot dog simply explained that "it's better than it looks." The review noted that the hot dog itself was a bit too skinny and that it could have used more toppings than what was given, but all in all, the reviewer noted that it was "decent" for what it's worth. If you're a fan of hot dogs, chili, fries, and onions, it probably wouldn't hurt to get it and see for yourself if it's truly as tough as a junkyard dog.