Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs

Comedian Loftus (writer and host of the limited-run podcasts Ghost Church and My Year in Mensa) takes listeners on a wild ride, crisscrossing the country in a hilarious and eye-opening quest to root out the essence of the American hot dog. Narrating her own book with raucous delight, Loftus describes her adventures with her cat, dog, and then-boyfriend during the summer of 2021. Throughout her journey, which sometimes required her to consume upwards of four hot dogs a day, Loftus sampled Spaghetti-O hot dogs in Albuquerque, a deep-fried bologna dog in Baltimore, and cheap but tasty dogs in Home Depot and Costco. Loftus seasons her account with social commentary, historical details, and personal reflections, including unsettling revelations about deep-seated sexism and racism at the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, horrifying descriptions of the meatpacking industry, and musings on COVID, capitalism, baseball, and more. Loftus’s lively, joyful narration allows listeners to feel her outrage, curiosity, and wonder. While her raunchy humor may not suit all tastes, her enthusiastic delivery is infectious.