Quebec hit a home run with their wiener contribution called the Hot Poutinerie Dog du Quebec – also known as the Steamé. (Photo Courtesy Maple Leaf Foods)
Maple Leaf Foods has wrapped up Canada’s Next Top Dog, a contest that gave thousands of wiener fans from coast to coast an opportunity to vote for their favourite frank.
Not surprisingly Quebec – a province that is no stranger to excellent food, came out on top with the Hot Poutinerie Dog du Quebec – aka a twist on the famous Steamé. With ingredients including Maple Leaf® Natural Top Dogs™, hickory sticks, shredded mozzarella and gravy, it’s no surprise that Quebec’s Steamé wonder was Canada’s number one pick.
Other competitors in this hot dog showdown included The Northern Bannock, The Walking Prairie Dog, BC Wonton Dog, Ontario Street Style and the Atlantic BLT Dog.
Quebec serves up a winning hot dog
When we think of Canadian food we often think of the usual suspects. Montreal smoked meat, butter tarts, beaver tails, Nanaimo bars and Bannock.
And poutine, of course – you can’t discuss Canadian comfort food heavyweights without mentioning one of the greatest Canadian inventions of all time.
With that said, perhaps we should add wieners to that list. While not specifically Canadian – hot dogs are actually a German invention – it’s no secret that this tasty treat is a fan favourite.
Across the country, people seem to love restaurants that feature or are dedicated to hot dogs. Three new hot dog restaurants have popped up in Toronto this summer, including Tino’s in The Junction. RichDogs is a Calgary favourite. A restaurant named 905 Hotdog Pound has opened in the Seaway Mall food court in Welland. The chain Arirang Hotdog is also expanding with locations in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver.
Across the country, Canadians have their own unique way of enjoying a classic hot dog—shaped by local tastes, cultural influences, and regional traditions. This diversity is something to be celebrated. Whether it’s the way it’s prepared, the toppings that are chosen, or where it’s enjoyed, hot dogs reflect the local preferences of communities from coast to coast.
“There is something so wholesome and nostalgic about this simple dish that just sparks joy,” says Chef Samantha Lazuric, Head of Culinary, Maple Leaf Foods. “We love how each province takes such different approaches to enjoying hot dogs. They’re fun, full of flavour and so versatile.”
There are so many ways to enjoy wieners, especially during summertime. According to a survey, 78% of Canadians view hot dogs as a wonderful comfort food. (Photo Courtesy Maple Leaf Foods)
Canadians are wild for wieners
It’s no secret that wieners play a big part in our lives. My wife has always been a person who loves popcorn at the movies, I usually have a hot dog in my hands when the show begins.
Whether you are enjoying a Vancouver Canucks game, watching the Toronto Raptors, cheering on the Ottawa Redblacks or hanging out at the Calgary Stampede, chances are you are enjoying a hot dog. According to insidehalton.com the Blue Jays hold the Major League Baseball record for the most hot dogs consumed at a single game, with 84,731 “Loonie Dogs” sold on July 22, 2025, according to Inside Halton. This broke their own previous record of 76,627 set in 2023. The “Loonie Dogs” promotion, where hot dogs are sold for $1 each on Tuesday home games, is a popular event at Rogers Centre.
Not surprising because according to a recent survey by Maple Leaf Top Dogs, most Canadian hot dog lovers eat at least two in one sitting, with 25 percent eating three.
A few fun frank facts
- A staggering 78% of Canadians surveyed view hot dogs as comfort food, evoking feelings of nostalgia and easy going summer memories.
- Keanu Reeves tops the list of celebs to share one with. The beloved star received three times as many votes as Catherine O’Hara and Sidney Crosby tied for second place.
- Gen Z & Millennials love wild combos — even hot dogs with maple syrup, if you can imagine.
- Hot Dogs are a household staple with 62% of respondents eating them monthly
- And apparently TikTok is sizzling with hot dog content: purses, T-shirts, even nail art. Over 50% would post a hot dog – if it’s funny.
Canadian hot dog recipes you can try
Would you like to be a hero at your next barbecue party? Try these Maple Leaf recipes! All recipes listed serve four.
YOUR WINNER
The Hot Poutinerie Dog du Quebec – aka Steamé
INGREDIENTS
1 375g Natural Top Dogs™, Steam for 6-7 minutes until internal temp of 165 F
165gr package Maple Leaf Ready Crisp Bacon bits
4 Hotdog Buns
2 Cup Hickory sticks
2 Cups Mozzarella, shredded (Cheese curds can be used)
1 Cup Gravy, prepared
The Atlantic BLT Dog
INGREDIENTS
1 375g Natural Top Dogs™, wrapped with bacon and pan fried/flat top under medium flame for 4-5 minutes.
1 375g package of Maple Leaf Original Bacon
4 Brioche Hotdog Buns
½ Cup Iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced
2 medium tomato, Sliced
3 tbsp Ranch sauce
The Ontario Street Style Dog
INGREDIENTS
1 375g Natural Top Dogs™, grill per package instructions
½ Cup Tomato, finely diced
1 Cup Crispy onions
½ Cup roasted red pepper salsa (roasted red pepper, White onion, Cilantro, lime juice, salt)
ketchup
Mustard
Relish
The BC Wonton Dog
INGREDIENTS
1 375g Natural Top Dogs™, Air fried (3 min at 450F, glazed with gochujang sauce and air fried again for 1 min at 450 F )
4 Romaine lettuce leaves
½ Cup Wasabi Aioli
2 tbsp gochujang sauce
½ Cup fried Crispy Wontons
¼ Cup Crushed peanuts
The Walking Prairie Dog
INGREDIENTS
1 375g Natural Top Dogs™, Grill per package instructions.
4 40g Potato Chips
1 L Chili with black beans, prepared
2 Cups Cheddar cheese
Green Onion, Garnish
The Northern Bannock Dog
INGREDIENTS
1 375g Natural Top Dogs™, Oven Baked(6-7 min at 375 F)
½ Cup 250g Maple Leaf® Original Natural Smoked Ham, diced
Bannock
2 Cup Flour
1 Cup cold water
1 tsp sugar
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp baking powder
Corn- Black bean relish
1 Cup Corn, canned
1 Cup Black bean, canned
½ Cup Onion, finely chopped
¼ Cup Red pepper, finely chopped
1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp Lime juice
Salt, to taste
½ Cup ketchup
¼ Cup mustard
2 500ml Split pea soup, prepared
