It’s one of my favorite days of the year: it’s National Hot Dog Day, people!

Didn’t have this one marked on your calendar? Well, I don’t blame you — but I do want to explain why it’s so important to me. Watch below:

Hot dogs are a huge part of my family’s history. My great-grandfather immigrated to the United States, got into the meatpacking business, and eventually founded the family business: Hygrade Foods. It’s a business that would go on to do all the meat for Nathan’s Hot Dogs for the first 50 years AND invent the Ball Park Frank, first sold at Tiger Stadium. 

It’s our family's piece of the American dream. And our hot dog legacy carries on every time the Slotkins get together and grill some hot dogs (or Slot-dogs, as we call them).