Half-Smoked History

• The half-smoke dates back to the 1930s when Briggs & Company combined equal mixtures of coarsely ground beef and pork at their meatpacking plant on 11th Street SW in Washington. According to the legend, Briggs searched for a unique sausage that combined protein, fat, spices and smoke. The resulting secret recipe was named "half-smoke" due to its smoky taste and combination of half beef, half pork. The more famous versions are sold at D.C.’s Ben’s Chili Bowl and the Weenie Beenie in nearby Arlington.

Half This, Half That, All Meat

• A half-smoke that is true to its origins will be made of a mixture of high-quality pork and beef ground to a course texture. Depending upon where you go for your half-smoke in the greater D.C. area, you may find an all-beef half-smoke, instead. Either way, the meat is combined with spices and formed into a natural casing that’s then smoked. The resulting product is about twice as fat as a hot dog, resembling more of a kielbasa. Although Briggs' original spice recipe is still a mystery, one thing most people agree on is that a true half-smoke should include a hefty amount of red pepper flakes.

Serving It Up With Style

• The original Briggs half-smoke was split down the middle, grilled facedown and then flipped. The Weenie Beenie still serves it the old-fashioned way, with spicy homemade chili, onions, relish and mustard, often called "all the way." At the Top Dog Half-Smoke Challenge held in 2011, the creative cooks dreamed up variations such as a half-smoke on a crostini with chimichurri sauce, charred onions and pickled peppers, as well as a smoked pork and foie gras half-smoke, served on a salted bun with charred onion relish and cognac mustard.

Homemade Versions

• If you can get your hands on half-smoke sausages, you might try cooking up your own version of the classic. Cut the half-smokes lengthwise and grill over high heat, then add the toppings. The yellow mustard and raw onions are standard, although you can take a tip from the Top Dog Half-Smoke Challenge and let your imagination run wild. A true half-smoke isn't complete, however, without the chili sauce. Use your favorite spicy chili recipe or experiment with ground beef chuck, tomato paste and spices.