According to one recent survey, pizza is our favorite thing to eat, followed by steak. Be that as it may, the definitive American foods — those that virtually define our national cuisine, and that are indelibly associated with summer — are hot dogs and hamburgers. (Both, incidentally, are among the foods you probably didn’t know were named after places — at least if we give dogs their more formal name, frankfurters.)
How much do we like burgers and dogs? We eat an estimated 50 billion burgers and 20 billion dogs per year — about 156 and 70 per person, respectively.
Chicago likes to call itself the hot dog capital of the world, but in fact Los Angeles consumes more wieners than any other city — about 31 million pounds annually — beating out second and third place New York and Philadelphia. Chicago is number five on the list.
During peak hot dog season, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans eat a total of around 7 billion franks. According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, on the Fourth of July alone, 150 million dogs get consumed — enough to stretch between L.A. and Washington D.C. more than five times.
No comparable organization seems to track burger stats for Independence Day, but if roughly 140 million burgers are eaten per day, based on per capita consumption, and we eat two-and-a-half times as many burgers as dogs overall, that could mean that the burger tally is around 375 million burgers that day.
With the Fourth of July rapidly approaching, it’s clearly time to fire up those grills. We’ve got a lot of eating to do — even if they are among the unhealthiest foods you can put in your body.
50. Vermont
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $134
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 200 (17th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 245 (14th highest)
• Population, 2017: 623,657
49. New Hampshire
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $135
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 176 (4th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
• Population, 2017: 1,342,795
48. New Jersey
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $176
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 181 (7th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 250 (12th highest)
• Population, 2017: 9,005,644
47. Massachusetts
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $177
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 179 (5th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
• Population, 2017: 6,859,819
46. Maine
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $188
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 184 (8th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 260 (9th highest)
• Population, 2017: 1,335,907
45. Pennsylvania
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $192
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 181 (7th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 289 (3rd highest)
• Population, 2017: 12,805,537
44. Connecticut
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $197
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 195 (12th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 260 (9th highest)
• Population, 2017: 3,588,184
43. New York
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $218
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
• Population, 2017: 19,849,399
42. Rhode Island
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $218
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 200 (17th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
• Population, 2017: 1,059,639
41. Maryland
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $235
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 173 (2nd lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
• Population, 2017: 6,052,177
40. Florida
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $247
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 192 (11th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 212 (23rd lowest)
• Population, 2017: 20,984,400
39. Iowa
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $248
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
• Population, 2017: 3,145,711
38. Delaware
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $251
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 176 (4th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 250 (12th highest)
• Population, 2017: 961,939
37. Idaho
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $257
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 1,716,943
36. North Dakota
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $261
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 213 (22nd lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 183 (5th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 755,393
35. South Dakota
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $261
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 248 (9th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 869,666
34. Arizona
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $263
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
• Population, 2017: 7,016,270
33. Georgia
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $268
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 226 (20th highest)
• Population, 2017: 10,429,379
32. Utah
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $269
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 188 (8th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 3,101,833
31. California
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $272
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 264 (3rd highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
• Population, 2017: 39,536,653
30. Minnesota
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $273
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 216 (23rd lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 5,576,606
29. Washington
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $274
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 256 (5th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 188 (8th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 7,405,743
28. Virginia
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $275
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 197 (14th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 236 (18th highest)
• Population, 2017: 8,470,020
27. North Carolina
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $279
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
• Population, 2017: 10,273,419
26. Colorado
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $284
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 237 (12th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 5,607,154
25. Michigan
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $287
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 224 (20th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 245 (14th highest)
• Population, 2017: 9,962,311
24. Wisconsin
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $288
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 208 (20th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
• Population, 2017: 5,795,483
23. South Carolina
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $290
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 203 (19th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
• Population, 2017: 5,024,369
22. New Mexico
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $298
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 248 (9th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 2,088,070
21. West Virginia
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $302
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 171 (the lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 481 (the highest)
• Population, 2017: 1,815,857
20. Louisiana
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $303
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 203 (19th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 183 (5th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 4,684,333
19. Illinois
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $304
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 213 (22nd lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 317 (2nd highest)
• Population, 2017: 12,802,023
18. Alabama
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $309
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 197 (14th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 255 (11th highest)
• Population, 2017: 4,874,747
17. Ohio
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $309
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 192 (11th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 264 (8th highest)
• Population, 2017: 11,658,609
16. Nevada
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $310
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 267 (the highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 216 (25th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 2,998,039
15. Alaska
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $313
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
• Population, 2017: 739,795
14. Oregon
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $319
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 253 (6th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 188 (8th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 4,142,776
13. Indiana
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $321
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 192 (11th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 240 (16th highest)
• Population, 2017: 6,666,818
12. Montana
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $327
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 232 (14th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 178 (3rd lowest)
• Population, 2017: 1,050,493
11. Missouri
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $327
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 216 (25th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 6,113,532
10. Kansas
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $331
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 237 (12th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 2,913,123
9. Mississippi
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $332
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 200 (17th lowest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 178 (3rd lowest)
• Population, 2017: 2,984,100
8. Nebraska
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $337
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 248 (9th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 226 (20th highest)
• Population, 2017: 1,920,076
7. Wyoming
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $342
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 251 (7th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 149 (the lowest)
• Population, 2017: 579,315
6. Texas
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $344
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 264 (3rd highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 28,304,596
5. Oklahoma
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $350
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 267 (the highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 212 (23rd lowest)
• Population, 2017: 3,930,864
4. Tennessee
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $354
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 224 (20th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 231 (19th highest)
• Population, 2017: 6,715,984
3. Arkansas
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $360
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 3,004,279
2. Kentucky
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $361
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 240 (16th highest)
• Population, 2017: 4,454,189
1. Hawaii
• Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $379
• Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 251 (7th highest)
• Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 202 (17th lowest)
• Population, 2017: 1,427,538