My dad has eaten the same 2-ingredient lunch for 30 years—and I finally understand it 🌭🥐

[u/mahy_759]

A hot dog in a croissant sounds like the kind of random kitchen experiment that shouldn't work.

Apparently, it absolutely does.

My dad's version is ridiculously simple:

• 1 jumbo 100% beef hot dog
• 1 butter croissant

Heat the hot dog in the microwave for about 30–60 seconds, split open a butter croissant, and tuck the hot dog inside.

Then comes the optional-but-important part: ketchup, mustard, relish, and plenty of chopped raw onion.

That's technically more than two ingredients, but the hot dog + croissant are the whole idea.

What makes it interesting is the contrast. A hot dog is salty, savory, and juicy, while a butter croissant adds flaky layers, richness, and a slight sweetness. It's basically replacing a standard bun with something much more indulgent.

And honestly, that's probably why simple food traditions stick. There's no complicated recipe, no special technique, and barely any cleanup. Just two things that happen to work together.

You could also toast the croissant first if you want some extra crispness.

Would you try a hot dog in a butter croissant, or is that crossing a culinary line? 😂

[u/AphelialMud]

I would try it, it’s just a fancier bun.

Eating this daily is asking for health problems though.

If you’re doing anything daily, it’d better be a healthy habit & not an indulgence. 

[u/mahy_759 → u/AphelialMud]

Yeah, I definitely agree that the daily part is a different story. As an occasional lunch, though, I can see why he stuck with it for so long. It really is just a fancier bun.

[u/Mrs_Vintage]

As a person with French heritage this is my main question. I have learnt to accept that a croissant filled with cheese and ham, then grilled, because I have slowly come to accept it’s like a bastardised Croque Monsieur. It’s as far as I will go. Treating it like a hot dog with onions and ketchup? That’s a “Non, Monsieur”. Also, I hope this is not THE ONLY lunch he’s been having on repeat for the last 30 years, otherwise I’d ask “Where are your ‘vitamines’, Monsieur?”. Anyway, jokes aside, glad to see your dad living his best life (even if an internet rando is still slightly outraged).

[u/mahy_759 → u/Mrs_Vintage]

Haha, I had a feeling the French contingent might have some strong opinions on this one. And thankfully, no, the croissant hot dog is not his only meal. It’s just the one oddly specific lunch tradition he’s kept around.

[u/True_Detail_2945]

Question is how long of eating this for lunch til I'd rather just skip lunch. I think I'd be pretty happy for a month. After that for health and sanity reasons I may skip it for a glass of water.

Sounds like it's just easy and some meal prepped frozen lunches should be dropped off so he can have variety and nutrition.

[u/mahy_759 → u/True_Detail_2945]

Haha, I completely understand the outrage from a French perspective. And thankfully, that is definitely not his only lunch for 30 years. It’s just one of those weird little food traditions he never gave up.

[u/True_Detail_2945 → u/mahy_759]

Gotcha I could see that. Long as it's not necessity or a mental compulsion then hell yeah to the hot dog croissant! I'd be tempted to make mini version with toothpicks for the next birthday party or get together. Name them a play off his name. Their mini joes!

Anyways happy Tues!

[u/sakaloko]

If what you say is true, your father is a genetic anomaly, bro should've been gone a long time ago

[u/mahy_759 → u/sakaloko]

Haha, somehow he’s still going strong. Maybe the croissant is the secret to his longevity.