Chili hot dog sandwich, on wheat bun
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A chili hot dog sandwich on a wheat bun is a hearty, savory handheld meal featuring a juicy sausage smothered in a rich, meaty chili sauce, nestled in a soft, whole-grain bun. The texture is a satisfying mix of tender bun, snappy sausage, and thick, chunky chili, with a flavor profile that is deeply savory, slightly spicy, and subtly sweet from the bun. It provides a substantial protein punch (10.39g per 100g) and a notable amount of fat (11.99g), making it a calorie-dense, energy-rich option.
Calorie split: 19% protein · 32% carbs · 49% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the ultimate comfort-food combination of smoky, spicy chili and a juicy, salty sausage, all held in a soft, slightly sweet bun that soaks up the flavors. It's a beloved staple at ballparks, cookouts, and diners, representing casual, satisfying American fare.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The combination can be high in sodium and saturated fat, which may concern those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. The refined carbs in the bun and sugars in the chili sauce can also cause a rapid blood-sugar spike. To counteract, opt for a low-sodium chili, choose a lean turkey or plant-based sausage, and pair with a large side salad or steamed vegetables to add volume and fiber without extra calories.
Key benefits
- High in protein for muscle maintenance and satiety.
- Whole wheat bun offers dietary fiber (2.7g) for digestive health.
- Convenient, portable source of calories and nutrients.
- Iron and B-vitamins from the meat components.
- Can be a source of prebiotic fiber from the wheat and beans in chili.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'Coney Island' hot dog, a direct ancestor of the chili dog, was not invented in Coney Island, New York, but by Greek and Macedonian immigrants in Michigan in the early 1900s.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 58.0 g |
| Energy | 219 kcal |
| Protein | 10.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 12.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 17.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 57.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.9 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 29.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 125 mg |
| Potassium, K | 269 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 541 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.7 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.12 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 13.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 2.4 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.15 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.14 mg |
| Niacin | 2.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.14 mg |
| Folate, total | 40.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 36.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 43.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 28.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.47 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 5.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 42.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 4.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 6.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 785 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 24.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.43 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.9 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.6 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.33 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.5 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.42 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.85 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.76 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 26.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Peppers, hot chili, red, raw — USDA does not publish this profile for Chili hot dog sandwich.
| Tryptophan | 0.03 g |
| Threonine | 0.07 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.07 g |
| Leucine | 0.10 g |
| Lysine | 0.09 g |
| Methionine | 0.02 g |
| Cystine | 0.04 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.06 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.04 g |
| Valine | 0.08 g |
| Arginine | 0.10 g |
| Histidine | 0.04 g |
| Alanine | 0.08 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.29 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.26 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.09 g |
| Serine | 0.08 g |
FAQ
Is a chili dog sandwich on a wheat bun healthier than on a white bun?
Yes, marginally. The whole wheat bun provides more dietary fiber (2.7g per 100g of the sandwich) and nutrients than a refined white bun, which can help with satiety and digestive health. However, the overall healthiness is still heavily influenced by the sodium and fat content of the sausage and chili.
How can I reduce the fat content of this meal?
You can use a lean turkey or chicken sausage, drain excess fat from the chili meat, or opt for a vegetarian chili made with beans and vegetables. Serving it open-faced (using only the bottom bun) or with a side of fresh vegetables instead of fries also helps balance the meal.
What drinks pair well with a chili dog?
Classic pairings include cold, crisp beers like a lager or pilsner that cut through the richness, or a sweet, fizzy root beer or cola. For a non-alcoholic option, a glass of cold milk can help soothe the spice, or iced tea provides a refreshing contrast.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.19 kcal/g · 19% calories from protein · 2.7 g fiber · 2.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.01 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.