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SPAM is officially thinking outside the can — and hitting the grill.
The legendary canned meat has been reimagined as the “SPAM DOG,” a grill-ready link designed to bring that classic salty-savory punch to the hot dog bun, bringing together two American culinary traditions into one fun snack.
Debuting at the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago, the new hot dog promises the “savory, salty and slightly sweet flavor” that SPAM die-hards crave.
Made for food service and stadium roller grills, these dogs are currently available at select restaurants, stadiums, and convenience stores. You can hunt them down at Rutters in the Northeast, CHS Field in Minnesota, and select ABC stores and 7-Eleven outposts across Hawaii.
More vendors will launch the dog throughout the summer, according to SPAM’s announcement. They are not yet available in retail grocery stores
Hormel recommends the SPAM Dog when served hot and crispy straight from the roller. It works with classic hotdog toppings like ketchup, mustard, and relish or adventurous toppings like kimchi, chipotle mayo, or a tropical pineapple salsa.
The announcement follows a “Spam comeback” driven by cost-conscious shoppers. Hormel reported record sales in nine of the last 10 years, as consumers rediscover the staple. First introduced in Austin, Minn., in 1937, Spam gained fame during the Great Depression for its affordability and shelf durability. Today, Spam products are sold in 44 countries.
The SPAM dog consists almost entirely of original SPAM, with only safflower oil added to enhance its performance on the grill. Commenters on a CBS News Minnesota Facebook post reacted with enthusiasm to the nostalgic staple’s new form.
“As a child, I did not like Spam; it took me many years to acquire the taste for it. Now I love it; I would definitely try a Spam dog,” commented one user.
“Absolutely, bring it on! I’ve eaten every SPAM there is. It’s very versatile,” said another, mentioning their collection of SPAM cookbooks from the official museum in Minnesota.
Fans admitted to using SPAM in everything from their “pizza burger recipe” to “sliced thin and fried for a sandwich”, “diced in stir-fry,” or in place of ham or bacon on a breakfast biscuit.
The SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota, continues to celebrate this cultural icon, featuring World War II exhibits that highlight its history as a staple for American troops and its prevailing place in the kitchen.
One food reviewer said that despite the revolting look of the link, if you enjoy SPAM, you’ll like these hot dogs.
“If you care for the salty, WTF taste of SPAM, as I do, you will probably enjoy the SPAM Hot Dogs,” although the flavor isn’t as strong as the traditional canned meat. The reviewer did note that the Hot Dog contains almost 25 percent of your daily recommended saturated fat, “which means this s–t is not good for you.”
