"If you're in the first camp and aren't scared off by those slowly rotating wieners on their rollers, you still need to proceed with caution. Culinary risk taker though you may be, you don't want to sacrifice your health for a moment of salty bliss. Before you commit to that hot dog, take a look at the condiment section to make sure things are on the up and up. Are the condiments refrigerated? If not, you could be in trouble."
"Plenty of condiments can elevate a hot dog, but you want to make sure they're safe. If your gas station has tiny condiment packets of shelf-stable mustard, ketchup, and relish, that's one thing. But if you're dealing with squeeze bottles or dispensers, you need to consider how long those condiments have been sitting out, potentially next to a warm roller grill all day."
Gas-station condiment storage affects both safety and flavor of hot dogs. Ketchup and mustard can be shelf-stable at room temperature, but refrigeration improves quality and extends shelf life. Mayonnaise and relish are not safe to store at room temperature and should be refrigerated. Large squeeze bottles and pump dispensers may sit near warm equipment and remain out for extended periods, often not cleaned nightly. Single-serve sealed packets of shelf-stable condiments are safer. The longer condiments sit unrefrigerated, the less enjoyable and potentially riskier they become, so inspect storage before consuming.
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