No, this isn't an alternative to the Food Network, or the Guy Fieri channel as it seems to be these days.

We had hot dogs for lunch today on the Banh Mi dough based rolls I've been making. They soften up a little overnight.

My wife wondered if there was a better way to slice them so they weren't as sloppy to eat, with the toppings falling out. The normal method for hot dog buns is to slice along the side but they do sell hot dog buns in the store that are sliced vertically from the top.

What we came up with is what I call a hot dog channel. We cut two grooves in the buns from the top, about 3/4 of the way into the bun, with a bread knife then used a smaller knife (a serrated steak knife) to cut out a U-shaped channel for the dog and toppings. I kept it simple for today, just mustard and some of the relish I made last night, but there would have been space for other toppings. Diane had hers with pork and beans, sort of beanie-wienie in a buttered bun (she normally has beanie-wienie with a slice of bread anyway.)

Diane cut hers from the side, I cut mine from the top.

The wedge that was removed was very tasty with a little peanut butter on it.

Pictures follow.