The hot dog has become unaffordable to regular Venezuelans, learn more

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The “guaidog”, a hot dog named after opposition leader Juan Guaidó.

The hot dog has become unaffordable to regular Venezuelans, learn more. CGTN’s Caracas journalists Rhonny Zamora, Juan Carlos Lamas, Andreina Fermin and Alice Anderson in Washington D.C report.

An upscale Venezuelan restaurant, Casa Bistró, is celebrating the hot dog.

“In Venezuela, hot dogs are very common. They can be found in every street corner, I mean everywhere,” said Casa Bistro manager Adán Abenante. “But in our hot dogs, people can find flavors from all over the world. We wanted to create a culinary fusion”.

Casa Bistró’s chefs mix traditional ingredients used in Venezuelan hot dogs with Asian and European flavors.

Politics are a part of the recipe for success.

One hotdog is even named after opposition leader Juan Guaidó.

“The Guaidog is one of the most famous ones. It’s a hot dog created to honor the President of Venezuela’s National Assembly,” Chef Ronald Carpio said. “We use a white bread, a fish sausage, mojito criollo, sweet potato chips and green mayonnaise”.

While customers love the hog dogs, they cost $5-$6 each — too expensive for most Venezuelans.

At hotdog stands, they’re about 58 cents. With minimum wage in Venezuela $5 a month, even eating a street-stand hotdog has become a luxury for many.

“During weekends my family and I used to eat hotdogs and burgers, not anymore due to the country’s current situation, once in a while and when the money is enough is that we can buy at least one hot dog,” said Caracas resident Francelis Becerra.

Hot dog stand vendor Manuel Palacios said he’s definitely seen a difference difference in sales.

“Years before, people used to eat from three to four hot dogs, but nowadays they can barely pay for one or two hot dogs,” Palacios said.