Why 8 hot dogs/pack and 6 buns/pack?

In Friday's Chicago Tribune, there are indications of hot dog and bun parity at least between Vienna's hot dogs and Rosen's hot dog buns.

All hail Howard Eirinberg, the Henry Kissinger of the wiener world.

To the relief of harried picnic planners across the U.S., Eirinberg has ushered in an unprecedented era of cooperation between hot dog makers and bun manufacturers.

For some 100 years, hot dogs have sold in packages of eight while buns sold in packages of six or 12 -- one of life's inexplicable annoyances, leading to extra buns that turned to mold or had to be frozen. Why the discrepancy?

...

Eirinberg had had enough. He called a summit with Mark Marcucci, the president of Chicago-based Alpha Baking Co., which makes S. Rosen's buns. After hours of negotiation, the leaders hammered out what history will surely view as one of the most meaningful accords of our time.

"S. Rosen's buns will now be sold in packages of eight," Marcucci proclaimed. "And they'll come in packages of 16 at stores like Costco."

...

Thankfully, we have visionaries to ponder questions such as these, people like Eirinberg. On his office door, he has an article titled: "Things Only Found in America." No. 8 is the hot dog-bun discrepancy. He has checked that off.
...

Well, it's not really inexplicable... bakers like to do things in dozens or half dozens, butchers like to do things by weight. 8 hot dogs to a pound, 12 buns to a dozen.

But we all knew that. And the tongue in cheek nature of the entire exercise is dutifully noted.

Why do hot dogs come 10 to a pack while buns are 8 to a pack?

To a chicagoan, that seems like a silly question. I grew up with 8-to-a-pack hot dogs, and 12-to-a-pack buns.

I'd just like to point out that I've grown up with hot dogs by the dozen and the buns in packages of eight. And all points of travel in Ontario have yielded similar results.

Though that's likely just a result of Canadians trying to differentiate themselves from Americans again.

I live in Canada and we have packages of 8 and 12 hot dog buns and smaller hot dogs come in 12 packs and some of the bigger hot dogs in packages of 8.

For the places that get only the different sizes like the 12 and 8 I think it is a way to get you to buy more. Once you eat the eight hot dogs and only used 8 of the 12 hot dog buns then you want to buy another pack of hot dogs to go with the remaining 4 buns but when they are used up you need to buy more buns for the remaining hot dogs. To use up both at the same time you end up buying two 12 packs of hot dog buns and three 8 pack hot dogs.

Unless you do not care having the remainder alone or with something else.

Hi,

My preference for hot dog buns are either Rosen's with poppy seeds or unknown brand potato buns. The few times I had bakery made hot dog buns, they just were just too bready and stiff to work well with a hot dog. I have occasionally purchased bratwurst buns, though they seem to stiff.

We don't eat as much hamburgers at home, though I know I like buns with sesame seeds. Patty's Diner is maybe the only place I can think of who bakes their buns themselves that are acceptable. Like hot dog buns, I don't seem to like too much chew in my bun.

Ultimately I am seeking opinions on quality hamburger and hotdog buns either from the grocery store, bakery or if such a thing can be made at home satisfactorily. I'm thinking maybe challah dough would make a good bun.

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

Regards,

Lately, I've noticed 10-pack hotdogs. Rats!

I bought a package of Vienna Beef hotdogs of some type a week or two ago, in order to introduce my sons to pigs in blankets. I was astounded when I opened the package and realized there were SEVEN hotdogs in it. Husband and sons ate the pigs in blankets, I ate the extra crescent roll.

Hi,

I was reading about James Beard's favorite hamburger suggesting an English muffin as an alternative to a hamburger bun. It certainly does not sound like a bad idea. I just never thought about it that way.

Regards,

Trader joe's has a really nice whole-wheat English muffin - they call them "British Muffins" - which would do very nicely for a hamburger bun.

They're good as the base for Eggs Benedict, too.

Mike

Cathy2 wrote: I'm thinking maybe challah dough would make a good bun.

Cathy,

You should try the buns at Kauffman's. They may be a bit hefty for your tastes, but they are made of a challa dough varient and are quite good, though not soft and squishy like Rosens.

I've frequented a number of restaurants that served hamburgers on English muffins and I've found they do not hold up well to juicy hamburgers - they get soggy and fall apart. These have been muffins of the Thomas's type. Thicker ones would do better, but then might be too dense.

Simple solutions- 8 hotdogs in package, 6 buns = make 24 hot dogs at a time? Why is this so hard?

I always thought the extra two hot dogs were spares, meant to be snacked on as is, or given to dogs.

My dog won't eat them without buns, claims I'm "cutting corners."

Hi,

Does anyone know a source for a pretzle hamburger bun available at retail?

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Does anyone know a source for a pretzle hamburger bun available at retail?

Regards,

Not exactly what you are looking for, but Paulina Meat Market usually has pretzle sausage buns. They are huge and would probably work well for hamburgers also. Not sure when they have them in stock though.

Paulina Meat Market
3501 N. Lincoln Avenue (corner of Lincoln & Cornelia)
Chicago, IL 60657
773.248.6272
http://www.paulinameatmarket.com/

I'm pretty sure I've seen pretzel buns at Olivia's, on Wabansia near Damen. I think they're made by La Briola. However, they might be brioche. Call ahead.

Olivia's Market
2014 W Wabansia Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-4220

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Does anyone know a source for a pretzle hamburger bun available at retail?

Regards,

Labriola Baking Company makes them and they are without a doubt the most incredible hamburger bun I've ever had. The only places I've ever found them was at the Orland park and Olympia Fields farmers market @ $5 and $4 for 6.
Labriola is available at many retail outlets but because of the comparatively high cost,my guess is they are reluctant to carry them.
http://www.labriolabaking.com/locations.htm

I would call Labriola directly to see if they can accomodate you. Sunset foods is listed. I believe that they will special order products. Let us know the outcome.

Labriola Baking Company
5324 W. 123rd Place
Alsip, IL 60803
(708) 385-4884

Cathy,

Try making some ground lamb patties and eating them on English muffins with some mint leaves and yoghurt, or ajvar. You won't be disappointed. A beef burger on an English muffin is pretty good, but for some reason, a lamb burger on an English muffin is perfect.