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Best Hot Dogs for Grilling

Posted Tue, Jun 30, 2009, 12:09 pm PDT
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Tube-shaped meat in a bun is as patriotic as the fireworks and watermelon on the Fourth of July (sometimes, a little too patriotic). Practically every region across America has a specific hot dog style. But what constitutes a great hot dog? Whether with a spicy mustard or pickle relish, it should have a lot of snap. Usually that means there's a natural sheep's casing around the dog. Years ago, rabbis decided to forbid this animal casing so kosher hot dogs are skinless or stuffed into collagen casings -- unfortunately, this sacrifices a lot of flavor. 

Best Non-Kosher Hot Dog: Boar's Head Natural Casing Hot Dog
So many hot dogs are soggy, but you want them to be firm and give a little resistence. Boar's Head does just that. It's a hot dog lover's hot dog. Read the fine print on the package before to make sure you're getting the natural casing. Apparently Boar's Head also makes a "lite" version that could be a good low-cal alternative.

Best Kosher Dog: Empire National Hot Dog
Hebrew National may be better known, but Empire National is the best kosher hot dog we've found. You may have to trek out to a Jewish deli or specialty store to find them, but once you do, be prepared for a meaty, garlicky and just salty enough rod of meat. 

Best if You're in NYC: Papaya King
Unfortunately these are harder to find outside of Fairway and other New York-area stores, but if you're in town, they are truly the iconic franks. It's the hot dog that gets the job done.

Best "Healthy" Hot Dog: Let’s Be Frank Hot Dogs
If you really have to eliminate the nitrates and nitrites, this one isn't bad. The grass-fed beef oozes meat juice and has a lot of spice spunk, which is always good. 

 

Now find out Vogue's 8 Steps to Hamburger Perfection.

Average (55 Ratings): 2.5 out of 5 stars

  • 1. Posted by bcars70 on Thu, Jul 02, 2009, 12:21 pm PDT

    Don't forget the ribs!.. there is a great recipe for braised ribs on b-tchcooks.com (replace the "-" with an "i").. but i braised them for an hour and then threw em on the bbq for about 20 minutes..they were awesome! I am going to make them again for my 7/4 party this weekend... they are spicy asian bbq pork ribs called "love you long time ribs".. and they are under the "free recipe" tab on the site.. mmm mmmm good!

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  • 2. Posted by Lee R on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 10:14 am PDT

    David Berg hotdogs are the best, hands down.

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  • 3. Posted by mikeboy42 on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 10:45 am PDT

    two words..miller meats of oakland...or saags for hot dogs..showboats for hot links..boar's head does make great deli meats though

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  • 4. Posted by mqinwn on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 10:53 am PDT

    Thanks bcars70, I went to the site you mentioned, Too Cool! Had to buy the book, can't wait for it to arrive. Have a great party!

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  • 5. Posted by petersonlilly@ymail.com on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 10:54 am PDT

    I am not much for hot dogs, but when i do its a hebrew national.especially in new york.

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  • 6. Posted by wileychik on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 10:59 am PDT

    Hebrew National are great dogs but the best hot dogs are Sabritt's. Of course they're pretty much impossible to get unless you live in New York or New Jersey. They're also great grilled but better boiled in onion water like you buy from the pushcarts. Yum

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  • 7. Posted by Tracey M on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 11:00 am PDT

    Nathan's natural casing.....spicy, a little salty, snappy....great snap factor! Meaty and delicious....good texture too....not mealy or full of bone chips or gristle....truly an elevated wiener experience:-)

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  • 8. Posted by billk731 on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 11:04 am PDT

    ball park beef franks on the grill wont eat dogs any other way only on the grill

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  • 9. Posted by kathylewis52 on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 11:12 am PDT

    Without a doubt it's Sahlen's. Second place is Wardynski's. Both easily found in the Buffalo NY area. Both have natural casings and both are absolutely Yummy!

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  • 10. Posted by Seoran on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 11:32 am PDT

    if dont have a natrual casing then it ballpark beef. best natrual casing hot dog I can find is boars head but they do cost a little bit.

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  • 11. Posted by Robert E on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 11:38 am PDT

    My two choices are, in order, first is Nathan's, second is Ball Park beef hotdogs. I serve them with chili, Gulden's spicy mustard, chopped raw onions and with a sprinkle of celery salt.

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  • 12. Posted by terri on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 12:03 pm PDT

    Nathan's Hot Dogs - hands down...are the best. My daughter won't eat any other kind these days!

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  • 13. Posted by REBSR on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 12:17 pm PDT

    ball park beef is really good on the grill i'd like to try them boiled in onion water but i dont know what onion water is?what is it ? sure sounds good

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  • 14. Posted by Dame Stjernelys on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 12:20 pm PDT

    The best are the ones my mother-in-law makes. Natural casing. Kosher beef or kosher turkey :)

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  • 15. Posted by georgerray on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 12:49 pm PDT

    Sahlen's hot dogs from Buffalo NY. You get them at Ted's Hot dog. I live in Seattle now and order these things online. Natural casing goodness !!!

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  • 16. Posted by mapsguy1955 on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 12:49 pm PDT

    Vienna Beef used to make one with natural casings but I'm not sure if they still do. If you can find one, it IS great!

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  • 17. Posted by doubleddaved on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 12:53 pm PDT

    Sahlen's hot dogs

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  • 18. Posted by Tristan on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 1:13 pm PDT

    My god. hot dogs are TERRIBLE for you even if they don't taste terrible. I rarely eat them, but I go with Oscar Meyers and give it some mustard!. You betcha!

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  • 19. Posted by john92461 on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 1:13 pm PDT

    oscar myer hands down, deep fried, boiled, oven, grilled, even raw, they have the best flavor to me

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  • 20. Posted by kevin.ledoux on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 1:55 pm PDT

    sconlins ---hands down!!

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  • 21. Posted by ridgerabble on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 2:17 pm PDT

    You have not had a good hot dog until you have a Michigan Kogel's hot dog!

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  • 22. Posted by stu4seasons on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 2:29 pm PDT

    Obviously Ed's not been to Chicago where steamed Vienna hor dogs and steamed poppy seed buns reign supreme.

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  • 23. Posted by ssjfamily on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 4:01 pm PDT

    Hummels hot dog are the best New Haven Ct

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  • 24. Posted by ofglll on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 4:58 pm PDT

    Nice to see brand names--if you like national chains. Believe me, the best dogs I've had all my life (63 years) came from local family-owned butcher shops who make their own. You can usually sample a wide variety of the freshest dogs possible so you can get one you REALLY like!!

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  • 25. Posted by Jeff E on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 5:20 pm PDT

    I find this funny, hotdogs on the west coast SUCK!! and yes I'm from here, but Eisenberg Hotdogs on the grill will make you cry and say "I've finally tasted a real hotdog" oh, and I sell hotdogs for a living.......

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  • 26. Posted by dixiemom1 on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 6:34 pm PDT

    Kahns hotdogs in Cincinnati, Ohio --- or any fresh from a local butcher like in Finley Market, Cincy. No Kahns in the southwest, though. Not even cheese coneys!!! I have the relatives bring me Skyline Chili and hotdogs when they visit :)

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  • 27. Posted by dr.k on Fri, Jul 03, 2009, 7:04 pm PDT

    There are soooooo.... many ways to prepare a hotdog. For heavens sake, DON'T BOIL them!

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  • 28. Posted by Steve on Sat, Jul 04, 2009, 1:32 am PDT

    Dearborn brand hot dogs from michigan...Pretty dang good.

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  • 29. Posted by marie S on Sat, Jul 04, 2009, 4:48 am PDT

    LOVE HOT DOGS.. BUT WHERE IN THE HECK DO I FIND THE ONES YOUR TALKING ABOUT..NICE TO HEAR HOW GOOD THEY ARE , BUT WHERE IN THE HECK ARE THEY,,,, I AM FROM NY UP STATE...... AND WHY NOT BOIL THEM ?

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  • 30. Posted by Dave B on Sat, Jul 04, 2009, 4:59 am PDT

    Smith's Natural casings are the very best around

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