The following is a reprint of an article that first appeared in Hot Dog Cart News back in 2009.

Wow, we’ve been around a long time! That’s one reason we have all the best readers. Thank you all for making 2011 a great year.

It’s a perennial classic penned by our own HDCN reader, the one, the only, Pocono Hot Dog (Chef J. Gaigon). Enjoy!

“Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the streets, were carts upon carts, selling Country smoked meats,
I stopped in Chicago to sample their wares, but when I asked them for ketchup, I got nothing but Stares, Just Hot Vienna Sausage Loaded with fun, Sport Peppers and Tomato
ON A POPPYSEED BUN??
On to Baltimore City that Inner Harbor Town, at J. Gagions Cart I plunked two fifty down, For his Chesapeake Dog my taste buds were achin, 100% beef with Old Bay and Smoked Bacon, The slaw that he served was not on the side, but right on the dog, between the buns it did ride.
On to New York to see what they Know, but first, just two stops in the Grand Mountains Pocono,
The Worlds Largest Chili Dog was the Point of their Sign, and the eyes in my stomach were much bigger than mine,
I feasted for hours before I went on my way, for I had Lunch and Dinner and Breakfast the next Day.
Headed East through the Water Gap, with My stomach a fill, We stopped by the Roadside of all places, Buttzville
With Fresh Buttermilk I toasted my My server Big Bonnie, and wolfed down a Classic from the Hot Dogger Named Johnny .
On Dasher and Prancer Lets take off in this rig,
we are headed to Broadway in the Apple so big,
Where Hundreds of carts serve no Regrets, just Traditional Weiners with the name of Sabrett,
You can get em with Chile and Onions and Kraut, but I favor the specials the Vendors put out, Some favor the Chile
of Coney Island Fame, Like Nathans Famous, but what’s in a name. Some Like Mustard and Ketchup and Relish instead,
I chose the Latter with Onions of Red.
I head now to the Border, Be in Canada by Night, But not before sampling HOTS of red and white.
MERRY Christmas to all
…..and to all a good BITE….