Party: Hot Dog Bar ?

[dreamin_disney]

Dh's Bday is in 2 month. I wanted to do a sports theme party. I don't want him on the grill for a longtime so I was thinking ....

Nachos, hot dogs/chili cheese dogs, hot links and pretzels.
Nacho cheese for nachos, chili cheese dogs and pretzels

variety box of potato chips

snacks instead of appetizers ( I usually do chips and salsa, chips and dip or veggies and dip)

regular Popcorn, peanuts, sunflower seeds.
red licorice(does that go with baseball theme ??)

Then I started looking on pinterest and came across hot dog bar with different ideas like wrapped in bacon, grilled onions and bell peppers and different style hot dogs.

Has anyone done a hot dog bar and how did you cook the hotdogs grilled, boiled, cooked in crockpot etc? Did you find it budget friendly?

I know adding bacon, shredded cheese, onion, pickles, mustard, ketchup, relish etc will add up.

should I just stick to the nachos, chili cheese/hotdogs and pretzels as main food??/ would like opinions on it


It will be just family. Dh has a huge family so not sure if he wants to invite everyone. Here are the 3 options
1. entire family around =48 adults and 8 kids

2. His mom and siblings ,grandma , uncle , 4 cousins, his Dad and step sisters, niece and nephews=26 people

3.just his mom, siblings gma and uncle=14 plus 2 kids

if he goes with option 3 then I might just make those mini Mexican tacos(kinda like the taco man) beans and rice.

fast and easy is on my mind this year-lol!

 

[stinkrbell]

Hi. We had a hot dog bar last month for a family get together. We found the idea on Pinterest as well. My mom made a bunch of hot dogs in the crock pot. I can't remember how long you cook them but everyone thought they were good and it was easy. She did buy all beef high quality (if there is such a thing lol) hot dogs. We also had baked potatoes, sour cream, shredded cheddar, butter and all the regular hot dog condiments. Some people like chili bake potatoes. I made macaroni and some people had chili Mac. I had a big bowl of fritos scoops and some people made fritos with chili, sour cream and cheese.
We also had chicken chili but of course no one had that on the hot dogs. I guess ours kind of turned in to a chili bar. If you go this route I have the best chicken chili recipe I can send you. It was really budget friendly except the chicken chili but these items usually go on sale if you plan ahead. Good luck!

 

[SEA333]

Dh's Bday is in 2 month. I wanted to do a sports theme party. I don't want him on the grill for a longtime so I was thinking ....

Nachos, hot dogs/chili cheese dogs, hot links and pretzels.
Nacho cheese for nachos, chili cheese dogs and pretzels

variety box of potato chips

snacks instead of appetizers ( I usually do chips and salsa, chips and dip or veggies and dip)

regular Popcorn, peanuts, sunflower seeds.
red licorice(does that go with baseball theme ??)

Then I started looking on pinterest and came across hot dog bar with different ideas like wrapped in bacon, grilled onions and bell peppers and different style hot dogs.

Has anyone done a hot dog bar and how did you cook the hotdogs grilled, boiled, cooked in crockpot etc? Did you find it budget friendly?

I know adding bacon, shredded cheese, onion, pickles, mustard, ketchup, relish etc will add up.

should I just stick to the nachos, chili cheese/hotdogs and pretzels as main food??/ would like opinions on it


It will be just family. Dh has a huge family so not sure if he wants to invite everyone. Here are the 3 options
1. entire family around =48 adults and 8 kids

2. His mom and siblings ,grandma , uncle , 4 cousins, his Dad and step sisters, niece and nephews=26 people

3.just his mom, siblings gma and uncle=14 plus 2 kids

if he goes with option 3 then I might just make those mini Mexican tacos(kinda like the taco man) beans and rice.

fast and easy is on my mind this year-lol!

DH and I both have huge families, and have done something similar - except we called it a "chili bar" LOL

I made a huge pot of chili in the crockpot, and set that out with another crock pot full of hot dogs in water to keep them hot. We also baked a bunch of potatos and just kept them in the hot oven until serving time. The rest of the ingredients were set on the table and guests could build their own chili dogs or just have a bowl of chili, a baked potato, or even walking tacos/nachos with the fritos - whatever they wanted!


Main items:
Hot Dogs
Chili
Baked potatos
buns

Toppings:
fritos
shredded cheddar cheese
shredded pepper jack cheese
sour cream
salsa
sliced black olives
sliced canned jalapeno peppers
chopped green onion
chopped white onion
crumbled bacon
oyster crackers
tortilla chips
mustard
ketchup
butter


Everyone LOVED this - it was a hit. I have done similar spreads for DS's friends when they spend the night (he tends to have them over in groups), and the teen boy set is in heaven with this food! LOL

 

[kymom99]

I had baked potatoes for Christmas Eve. If you are looking for something to put them in, I bought plastic banana split boats from a party supply store. Worked out great.

 

[clh2]

I think you need peanuts and cracker jacks too! (or at least a good caramel corn!)

 

[wiigirl]

I had baked potatoes for Christmas Eve. If you are looking for something to put them in, I bought plastic banana split boats from a party supply store. Worked out great.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Hi. We had a hot dog bar last month for a family get together. We found the idea on Pinterest as well. My mom made a bunch of hot dogs in the crock pot. I can't remember how long you cook them but everyone thought they were good and it was easy. She did buy all beef high quality (if there is such a thing lol) hot dogs. We also had baked potatoes, sour cream, shredded cheddar, butter and all the regular hot dog condiments. Some people like chili bake potatoes. I made macaroni and some people had chili Mac. I had a big bowl of fritos scoops and some people made fritos with chili, sour cream and cheese.
We also had chicken chili but of course no one had that on the hot dogs. I guess ours kind of turned in to a chili bar. If you go this route I have the best chicken chili recipe I can send you. It was really budget friendly except the chicken chili but these items usually go on sale if you plan ahead. Good luck!

I read on pinterest to cook the hotdogs in the crockpot on low for 4 hours , and not to add water.
Has anyone tried it this way?

DH and I both have huge families, and have done something similar - except we called it a "chili bar" LOL

I made a huge pot of chili in the crockpot, and set that out with another crock pot full of hot dogs in water to keep them hot. We also baked a bunch of potatos and just kept them in the hot oven until serving time. The rest of the ingredients were set on the table and guests could build their own chili dogs or just have a bowl of chili, a baked potato, or even walking tacos/nachos with the fritos - whatever they wanted!


Main items:
Hot Dogs
Chili
Baked potatos
buns

Toppings:
fritos
shredded cheddar cheese
shredded pepper jack cheese
sour cream
salsa
sliced black olives
sliced canned jalapeno peppers
chopped green onion
chopped white onion
crumbled bacon
oyster crackers
tortilla chips
mustard
ketchup
butter


Everyone LOVED this - it was a hit. I have done similar spreads for DS's friends when they spend the night (he tends to have them over in groups), and the teen boy set is in heaven with this food! LOL

I like the baked potato idea but not to much of a sports theme . I'll see if dh likes this idea. I know I do
I don't have a chili recipe so is there a good brand in a can that's pretty good???anyone??

BTW- if Dh goes with inviting the entire family the nacho/hot dog bar sound pretty easy

I had baked potatoes for Christmas Eve. If you are looking for something to put them in, I bought plastic banana split boats from a party supply store. Worked out great.

cute idea!!

I think you need peanuts and cracker jacks too! (or at least a good caramel corn!)

I had peanuts & popcorn on the list but I love the cracker jacks idea


Anyone- best way to cook a lot of hotdogs and that will taste great. I read cooking in crockpot and it will tastes like it was grilled or steamed cant remember

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The hotdog bar is a great idea. If you put hotdogs in a crockpot they will be steamed. Or you could cook them the day before on the grill then the day of the event put them in the crockpot to warm them up and keep them warm.


Just think the leftovers you have can be used the next day on baked potatoes!

BJ's has 30 Oscar Mayer hotdogs for less than $4.00

 

[SEA333]

I read on pinterest to cook the hotdogs in the crockpot on low for 4 hours , and not to add water.
Has anyone tried it this way?

I like the baked potato idea but not to much of a sports theme . I'll see if dh likes this idea. I know I do
I don't have a chili recipe so is there a good brand in a can that's pretty good???anyone??

BTW- if Dh goes with inviting the entire family the nacho/hot dog bar sound pretty easy

cute idea!!


I had peanuts & popcorn on the list but I love the cracker jacks idea


Anyone- best way to cook a lot of hotdogs and that will taste great. I read cooking in crockpot and it will tastes like it was grilled or steamed cant remember

OK, so chili in a crockpot is the easiest thing you will ever cook:

for a 5-7 qt crockpot (and a LOT of this is depending on preference and taste, but I will say what I do):

1 lb browned and crumbled ground beef/turkey
2-3 cans navy beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
2 14 oz cans of fire-roasted diced tomatos
3 (or more or less, depending on how much you are making) big cans of petite diced tomatos
2 packets of original chili seasoning mix (I think it is McCormick?)

Add to taste:
garlic powder
onion salt
cumin
chili powder
Franks Red Hot sauce
salt

I like my chili soupy, so I will usually add some water toward to end depending on how thick it gets once the beans start breaking down and releasing their starch. If you like it thicker, just don't add water.

This seriously takes about 10 minutes of prep time, and the majority of that time is browning the meat. I usually throw the meat in a bowl in the microwave and brown it that way, and while it is browning, I open the cans of tomatos, pour the beans into a strainer and give them a quick rinse, and thrown everything into the crock pot. I add the seasoning packets and some extra cumin and chili powder, garlic powder, onion salt, and wait for the meat to finish browning. Once it is done, I drain the grease, and take a spatula and break up the meat until it is crumbled. I throw that in the crock pot, put the lid on and go to work. When I get home, I check the thickness of the chili, adjust with water if needed, add a little salt if needed, and throw in about 1-2 tsp of Franks sauce. Stir and done!

Much better than canned chili, cheap to make a lot of it, and flavorful without being too spicy or hot. My kids eat this just about every 2 weeks LOL, and their friends even love it.

 

[HM]

Additions could be bite-sized corn dogs and pigs-in-blanket.

 

[dreamin_disney]

The hotdog bar is a great idea. If you put hotdogs in a crockpot they will be steamed. Or you could cook them the day before on the grill then the day of the event put them in the crockpot to warm them up and keep them warm.


Just think the leftovers you have can be used the next day on baked potatoes!

BJ's has 30 Oscar Mayer hotdogs for less than $4.00

Ok, never tried the crockpot for cooking hotdogs . I read about it on pinterest. So no water is needed right? Do you cook your on low for 4 hours? I'll have to test it out because I don't want yucky hotdogs-lol!

OK, so chili in a crockpot is the easiest thing you will ever cook:

for a 5-7 qt crockpot (and a LOT of this is depending on preference and taste, but I will say what I do):

1 lb browned and crumbled ground beef/turkey
2-3 cans navy beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
2 14 oz cans of fire-roasted diced tomatos
3 (or more or less, depending on how much you are making) big cans of petite diced tomatos
2 packets of original chili seasoning mix (I think it is McCormick?)

Add to taste:
garlic powder
onion salt
cumin
chili powder
Franks Red Hot sauce
salt

I like my chili soupy, so I will usually add some water toward to end depending on how thick it gets once the beans start breaking down and releasing their starch. If you like it thicker, just don't add water.

This seriously takes about 10 minutes of prep time, and the majority of that time is browning the meat. I usually throw the meat in a bowl in the microwave and brown it that way, and while it is browning, I open the cans of tomatos, pour the beans into a strainer and give them a quick rinse, and thrown everything into the crock pot. I add the seasoning packets and some extra cumin and chili powder, garlic powder, onion salt, and wait for the meat to finish browning. Once it is done, I drain the grease, and take a spatula and break up the meat until it is crumbled. I throw that in the crock pot, put the lid on and go to work. When I get home, I check the thickness of the chili, adjust with water if needed, add a little salt if needed, and throw in about 1-2 tsp of Franks sauce. Stir and done!

Much better than canned chili, cheap to make a lot of it, and flavorful without being too spicy or hot. My kids eat this just about every 2 weeks LOL, and their friends even love it.

Thank you for the recipe! I dont think I've ever tried navy beans-lol! I usually cook with pinto beans.

Additions could be bite-sized corn dogs and pigs-in-blanket.

I did see the mini corn muffin corn dogs. a small piece of hotdog stuffed in the middle of a corn muffin, looked and sounds good.


I'm making a trip to Sam's club or costco in a bit, so I'm going to start pricing everything. Dh has a rewards check from Costco so I plan on using that for the party.


Keep the ideas coming!!!

 

[stinkrbell]

You might also search chili dog chili/sauce on Pinterest. You want it to have a thicker rather than soupy consistency or it will make everything soggy.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We don't put beans in our chili for hot dogs or nachos. I would do a huge crock-pot of all meat chili. I would offer hot dogs and buns and nachos. The bar would include nacho cheese, the chili, jalapenos, relish, mustard, ketchup, onions, slaw etc. Add your nuts and pop corn and you are set. Bars are a big hit right now. We did almost exactly the above for a party and it was a huge hit!!!

 

[SEA333]

You might also search chili dog chili/sauce on Pinterest. You want it to have a thicker rather than soupy consistency or it will make everything soggy.

LOL As I said - personal preference! I hate thick chili!! And the best chili dogs are soaked in chili, and mmmm....soupy chili topped with with melting sour cream - YUMM!!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I know someone who had their husbands surprise party with hotdogs and chili from Skyline. I don't know about cost but it would keep him off the grill.

 

[SEA333]

Ok, never tried the crockpot for cooking hotdogs . I read about it on pinterest. So no water is needed right? Do you cook your on low for 4 hours? I'll have to test it out because I don't want yucky hotdogs-lol!

Thank you for the recipe! I dont think I've ever tried navy beans-lol! I usually cook with pinto beans.


I did see the mini corn muffin corn dogs. a small piece of hotdog stuffed in the middle of a corn muffin, looked and sounds good.


I'm making a trip to Sam's club or costco in a bit, so I'm going to start pricing everything. Dh has a rewards check from Costco so I plan on using that for the party.


Keep the ideas coming!!!

Haha - I've never tried pinto beans, but I think I would like those, too....I just will never use kidney beans...YUCK!!!!!!! I found navy beans or black beans to be a good substitute for the kidney beans, but I bet pinto beans would soak up all the yummy flavors of the chili really nicely.

And, I will be making chili this week now, thanks to this thread. LOL

 

[kellygirl2]

Here's the instructions for making hotdogs in the crockpot. I haven't done it but it seems pretty easy.

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2012/04/hot-dogs-for-crowd.html

She also has instructions for baked potatoes in a crockpot

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/01/crockpot-baked-potatoes_28.html

 

[dreamin_disney]

Here's the instructions for making hotdogs in the crockpot. I haven't done it but it seems pretty easy.

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2012/04/hot-dogs-for-crowd.html

She also has instructions for baked potatoes in a crockpot

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/01/crockpot-baked-potatoes_28.html

The first link is the blog I read about-lol! I'll have to check out thcrockpot baked potatoes