Introduction to the Ketchup Debate
CHICAGO — Former President Barack Obama has stepped back into the public spotlight in recent weeks, weighing in on everything from the Democratic Party’s strategy and the dangers of complacency in the face of President Donald Trump’s return to the White House to the future of American democracy.
Obama’s Stance on Ketchup
In a recent appearance on Michelle Obama’s podcast IMO, the Chicagoan and former leader of the free world shared another deeply held belief that echoes the unwritten rules of his hometown’s culinary code: “In my opinion, you should not eat ketchup after the age of 8.”
“Nothing against kids having ketchup,” Barack Obama said. “Ketchup on their burgers, ketchup for their fries and even — which is hard for me to watch — ketchup on hot dogs. But at a certain point, you gotta kind of outgrow it.”
Family Opinions on Ketchup
The former president’s stance is not shared by the rest of his family, a point his wife, the former first lady, made clear.
“We at IMO have nothing against ketchup,” Michelle Obama said. “Nobody in our family is following his lead.”
The Chicago Hot Dog Tradition
In Chicago, putting ketchup on a hot dog is more than just a culinary pet peeve — it’s considered sacrilege and can lead to public shame and ridicule at hot dog stands.
A freshly-made Chicago dog at George’s Hot Dogs in Bucktown Credit: Quinn Myers/Block Club Chicago
A proper “dragged through the garden” Chicago-style dog is topped with mustard, neon-green relish, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, a pickle spear and celery salt. Ketchup, with its sugary, overpowering flavor profile, is purposefully omitted.
History Behind the Ketchup Aversion
Vienna Beef executive Bob Schwartz felt so strongly about the controversial condiment, he titled his hot dog history book “Never Put Ketchup on a Hot Dog.”
WTTW’s Geoffrey Baer reported another theory about ketchup-free hot dogs: Early ballpark vendors stocked only mustard because sweet ketchup attracted flies.
But Chicago’s ketchup aversion isn’t just about taste. It’s rooted in the city’s working-class pride and food history, some food experts say.
Chef Steve Chiappetti, a South Side native and executive chef at State and Lake Tavern, told NBC5 the tradition goes back to the stockyards era. During the Depression, lower-quality meats were often masked with ketchup to cover up the flavor. Not using ketchup became a source of pride, Chiappetti said.
“It used to be prideful that we don’t serve ketchup,” Chiappetti said. “Meaning our hot dogs were better than everyone else’s.”
Heinz’s Response to the Ketchup Debate
In 2024 — in a playful jab at Chicago’s anti-ketchup stance — Heinz launched a campaign installing “Smack for Heinz” ketchup-dispensing billboards outside iconic hot dog stands that refuse to serve the condiment, like the Wieners Circle.
The stunt gave a nod to the city’s long-running, tongue-in-cheek disdain for ketchup on hot dogs.
Conclusion
While Barack Obama’s stance on ketchup might seem dramatic, it’s on brand for a Chicagoan and proof that you can take Barack Obama out of Chicago, but you can’t take Chicago out of Barack Obama.
“I think I might be a little draconian in my attitude,” he said. “I’m coming in here hot.”
FAQs
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:
Q: What is Barack Obama’s stance on ketchup?
A: Barack Obama believes that adults should not eat ketchup, and that it’s something that should be outgrown after the age of 8.
Q: Is the rest of the Obama family in agreement with Barack’s stance on ketchup?
A: No, the rest of the Obama family, including Michelle Obama, does not share Barack’s views on ketchup.
Q: Why do Chicagoans tend to avoid putting ketchup on their hot dogs?
A: Chicagoans tend to avoid putting ketchup on their hot dogs due to a combination of factors, including the city’s working-class pride, food history, and the belief that ketchup overpowers the other flavors of the hot dog.
Q: Has any company responded to the ketchup debate in Chicago?
A: Yes, Heinz launched a campaign installing “Smack for Heinz” ketchup-dispensing billboards outside iconic hot dog stands that refuse to serve the condiment, in a playful jab at Chicago’s anti-ketchup stance.
