I know one thing: hot dogs and cheese are a match made in food heaven. The two savory items create a celebration for my taste buds, and it was one of my favorite snacks as a kid. If you agree with me, you’ll be delighted to know that the infamous cheese dog was created right here in Arkansas. Now, when I say cheese dog, I don’t mean adding cheese to a hot dog. Instead, a cheese dog is a hot dog that is stuffed with ooey gooey cheese. Believe it or not, this little-known invention in Arkansas has been around for over 65 years, and it deserves to get some shine.
Of course, you've heard about Oscar Mayer, the iconic meat producer known for its hot dogs, bologna, bacon, as well as those delicious lunchables.
And if y'all are old enough, you'll remember, "My bologna has a first name, it's O-S-C-A-R" right? And while this legendary lunch meat producer has been around for over 100 years, there is a little-known product that not many folks have tried.
That product is the cheese dog, a hot dog that is stuffed with cheese, so every single bite comes with ooey gooey goodness.
Though Oscar Mayer makes this delicious snack, the company did not invent it.
In fact, the cheese dog was invented in Arkansas in 1956 by the Finkbeiner family, owners of Finkbeiner Meatpacking Company in Little Rock.
Originally from Germany, the Finkbeiner family first moved to Chicago in the early 20th century. There, the family learned the meat packing business and then brought their talents to Arkansas to set up their own company.
The original company was established in Fourche, then moved to Little Rock, where it eventually became a multi-million-dollar operation.
Chris Finkbeiner, one of the owners of the Finkbeiner meatpacking company is said to have invented the combination. He was famously known for running for governor of Arkansas in 1958, a race he lost to Orval Faubus.
Though very little is known about the actual creation of the cheese dog, stuffing cheese inside a hot dog is a genius idea. I am sure this pup agrees. Ha!
Unfortunately, Mr. Finkbeiner tragically died in a plane crash before he could see the massive impact of his creation.
Eventually, the idea for the cheese stuffed hot dog was adopted by other meat packing companies.
Today, meat manufacturers like Oscar Mayer sell stuffed hot dogs with cheese. And perhaps you've seen cheese-filled hot dogs at a local meat shop in your town.
You may have also seen the cheese dog stuffed inside a corn dog at a fair or local event. And now that you know it was invented in Arkansas, be sure to try one.
After all, no other state can take credit for this genius idea.
Were you surprised about this little-known invention in Arkansas? Did you know about it? Or have you eaten one of these cheese dogs before? Tell us about it in the comments below. For more information about the Finkbeiner Meatpacking Company, visit the Pulaski County, Arkansas genealogy page. Be sure to read our previous article for some quirky facts about Arkansas.
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