Can A Former Hot Dog Addict Ever Really Be Vegan?

I think yes!  But my friend Tawny says no.  She says that on the inside I am still a hot dog lover and I will never really be vegan, I'm only fooling myself.  Harsh!

 My first Chicago Style Dog, March 2011.  I went vegan before I had the chance to try a meat version, but lucky for me, the Whole Foods in Lincoln Park serves veg ones!  Being from California, I like ketchup or BBQ sauce and mustard on my dog and that's it!  However, I learned real fast in Chicago that 'only children' order ketchup on their hot dogs.  Haters.  I have to admit, all this garbage on my hot dog was pretty tasty.  Hot peppers, mustard, tomato, onions and dill pickle spears.

 The Whole Foods in Lincoln Park, Chicago, is the biggest one I have ever been in (flagship store of the Midwest).  It makes the new one by my apt in the Upper Haight look like a convenience store. 

 Here is the food court in the middle of it.  Seriously.  And there is a bar.  You can shop and drink.  One of my friends exclaimed, in my presence, "Who would want to do that?!".  Umm...I would.  Something tells me it's a horrible idea, though.  I already make impulse purchases like a crazy, drunk person in natural food stores as it is. 

Vegan hot dog at SXSW 2010.  Ketchup, bbq sauce and mustard!  Just the way I want it, even if it's unsophisticated according to Chicago standards.  This pic was taken right before the condiments ended up all over my face and shoes. 

 

Same hot dog stand, next night.  I was quite disappointed this year to see they weren't serving the vegan dogs.  I mean, I hit up this stand so many times last year the guy running it recognized me.

It's true, I am a hot dog addict.  I don't think I could be vegan if there wasn't a substitute for the meat version.  Nuts, I know, but I'm trying to keep it real and be honest with you.

I did admit to Tawny a little part of me dies every year the Arcata Oyster Fest happens and I am not in attendance.  That festival used to be my Christmas.  Maybe I can patent a soy oyster!  Soy oyster shooters with cocktail sauce!  Fried soy oysters!  Smoked soy oysters!  Or....not.  The world might be a better place without that substitution.