What is the Best Brand of Hot Dog to use on a Hot Dog Cart?
Hey Slingers,
There are soooo many brands of hot dogs available nowadays with more newcomers entering the market every day.
Many of these hot dog brands are regional with loyal customers who won’t eat anything else.
Other brands have managed to transcend geographic boundaries and are popular nation-wide.
Let me know your favorite brand of hot dogs in the comments section below. Let’s see how big of a list we can come up with!
This will be a great resource for hot dog cart vendors everywhere. I would love to know about brands that I have never heard of before.
Please comment even if your brand has already been mentioned. This will allow us to see what brands are most popular.
And while you are commenting, tell me why you chose the brand that you did. Is it superior taste, texture, price, snap, etc.?
Thanks!
-Steve
Hebrew National. Most popular brand in THIS town. Choice varies so much in CT that 10 miles down the road it’s Sabretts.
Those are good!
I USE COSTCO BRAND 1/4 # DINNER FRANKS.1/4# POLISH AND THE 6″ REGULAR SEEMS THE POLISH IS THE BEST SELLER HAS BETTER FLAVOR I ALSO SELL TAMALES AND CORN ON THE COB AND NACHOS
That’s a nice mix of products.
I use a 4 to 1 Nathan’s all beef dog from Sams club at the Big Dog house also s regular sams bakers choice beef hot dog my cust. Love them both
Those are popular here (St Louis) too.
I use two different brands; Sam’s Club 100% beef hotdogs and Nathan’s Polish Sausage 100% beef.
We use Nathan 8/1 beef hot dog and Azar sausages.
Does Sam’s Club carry the Nathan’s 100% beef Polish?
Chet
Dawgie Style Hot dog
Jacksonville, Florida
Karen Old Thyme. We’re in New England. It seems to be the “got to have brand”.
Kayem not Karen my phone changed it.
How many times that happens with phone changing words ?? And for some reason can never catch it til its sent š Made me feel like my phone isnt only one “possessed” š
LOL
Hey Steve!
Here in Sacramento, California I use a regional brand hot dog. Miller’s Brand!!! They rival most of the top national brands in quality, flavor & snap! Many New Yorker’s and Chicago customers have complimented my franks and sausages as only THEY can!!
??Dapper D
??Dapper Demand Hot Dog Stand
Sacramento, California
I use Miller’s as well. Great hot dog!
Millers – that’s the dog they serve at the Giants games, right?
In my area of New England natural casing is the rule. So to be different I sold Nathan’s all beef skinless franks and everyone LOVED them. Even my Insurance agent that is a die hard gotta have snap hot dog guy loves them. The problem is the price has risen 60 cents a pound in 2 years, so I may be going to Old Neighborhood NC dogs for this season. I have my first private gig of the season next Tuesday and I am going to try them out!
Chris
I love a snappy dog!
We are using Eisenberg out of Chicago!! Great dog! We previously were Vienna which was also a great dog but when we tried side by side the Eisenberg just had a superior taste!
Interesting. I served Vienna for years.
Hello fellow slingers!
This is a juicy topic, let me first start by saying that I’ve been in the food service industry going on 30 years recently I have decided to start a hotdog cart called the hotdog chef for purposes of extra income.
I have found two things to measure true first is that as a general rule people pulling up to a hotdog cart aren’t very specifically concerns about the type or name brand of hot dog that you use more than they are about the quality of the dog .
As a restaurant tour/entrepreneur I have a tendency to lean towards high-quality not necessarily namebrand hot dogs that have a wonderful tastes both raw and cooked as well as a perfect snap . I used two different brands depending on the venue that I’m serving at the time . For my every day hotdogs I lean towards The foot longs from GFS and for my larger bulk events Eileen towards gwaltney brand all beef. My reasons are sound in that the quality and flavor consistency of both product brands has never failed me and the cost value analysis for profit margins is incredible on both . Hope that helps somebody it sure does me .
Rick
” The hot dog chef “
Great comment Rick! I agree that name brand is less of a concern than the flavor, especially when loaded up with condiments. Texture is always important.
Hebrew National
I am in Washington State, so the 100% Beef Gluten Free MARINERS..they have an extra long dog available as well….and also for KOSHER and GLUTEN FREE I like HEBREW NATIONAL.
Gluten free is becoming a big deal lately.
Folks in Ohio love Nathans I buy the quarter pounders from Sams Club you can’t get these in any store unless you buy a box. Nathans has that snap. I grew up in Brooklyn with Nathans and Hebrew National, but nothing beats Nathans.I tell customers you can almost hear the ocean when they take a bite.
Hi Dane! – Another vote for Nathan’s.
I have done my own taste test with some good and some bad. first of all I do not eat chicken hot dogs ahhhgg! The hot dogs I have tried were Sabarret, Nathans, Boars head, parks sausages
1. Sabarret were good but they tended to shrivel up when I grilled them
2. Nathans were good and they stayed plump after grilling
3. Boars head were excellent but to expensive
4. The parks sausages were awesome but are not considered hot dogs.
My choice are Nathans as a standard hot dog sold for $1.00-$2.00 per dog
and Boars Head as a gourmet hot dog sold for $3.00-$4.00 per dog
oh and hot sabarett hot dogs for $2.00-$3.00 per dog
You sell “grilled dogs” off a cart?
Never heard of that till now..
My perferred is Sabarret “Stands the test of time”
L.I. N.Y.
Grilling is a regional thing. Big in the south. Yankees seem to like steamed dogs better.
Oh, sorry I forgot to mention I’m from New York City so these are the regional dogs eaten here
The best regular dog is Casper’s which can only be found in California. It has just the right snap and the taste and texture are great. The best beef dog is Nathan’s because of the taste.
I did some online marketing work recently for a Caspers hot dogs promoter. They look tasty!
Sabrett
Having sold my stand-in trailer & returning to a cart, my wife & I have tasted every major dog on the market. From experience with my customers, I wanted an all beef dog, even though they’re more expensive. And they cook well in a fryer if that becomes an option. I’ve decided on Eisenberg, a Chicago dog similar to Vienna, but a few cents less in price per dog, and they have a very unique taste. I plan to use them as a Chicago hot dog, and also will use their brats w/ grilled peppers & onions. They are available as a 5 to 1 case of 50. Big dog, good taste, for less than a dollar each. They are available from a local Indianapolis supplier. BTY, they’re served at Wrigley Field in Chicago!! They’re big in Indy too.
Another Eisenberg fan. Go Cubs!
Hi Papa Smurf,
I just recieved some 5 to 1 Eisenberg hot dogs, skinless, two days ago from a supplier here in Northern Indiana. I agree, they are a fantastic tasting dog. high quality. I am not sure what the price is on them yet. ( I would love to try the 8 to 1 natural casing dog) to try and make Chicago dogs. Have they been a good seller? How is the company to work with?
Thanks
Nathans I buy them at Sam’s little pricey but I sell them because they are a bigger dog. People seem to love them good flavor. Good size.
Nathans again!
Nathan has been the brand that works best for me. Vendor was great, they were close by. And, with my way of fixing them, they tasted the best. Customer feed back was very good.
And again.
I’m still working on the licensing, but I have heard that Vienna Beef 1/4 lb hot dogs work best. Any thoughts? I have not started yet, hopefully this month or sometime in May.
Great product. A bit pricey but in certain geographic areas you will have an edge by serving the local favorite. In Chicago that means Vienna.
We use Costco Brand All Beef Hot Dogs. Great taste. great texture, good price and they hold well. Customer’s rave about them. Also get our buns from there too – Rosen Buns. They hold up well too and open without splitting.
Rosen Buns are awesome. They steam perfectly!
Nathans
Vienna Beef Hot Dogs are made from the fresh cut trimmings of bone in briskets used for corn beef, the fresh cut trimmings from navels used for pastrami, and fresh domestic bull meat. All very top choice and high quality.
No mystery meat.
Yep.
In Buffalo NY area the favorite is Sahlen’s. Everybody loves and eats them. Great on the grill.
That one is new to me.
My favorite brand here in Northern California is Evergood, out of San Francisco. They have a whole line of dogs and sausages, but I stick with the 6″ and 8″ cased dogs (8:1 and 6:1) with their Polish Sausage (4:1) for the big events. A good back-up is Taylor’s out of Southern Oregon.
I have been talking with Linda Ball at Evergood. She sent me some samples and I must say I am VERY impressed with their product. Their Hot Links are really good!
Hi! I opened my business about 3mo ago and have been selling Kirkland and my customers love them! I really wanted Nathans but had a hard time getting them as I am in a rural area. So my plan B worked! I don’t feel the need to change since people say my hot dogs are the best in town! lol Having a blast slingin’ dogs!
Jeanne
Jeanne’s Hot Dogs
Pahrump,Nv
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Congrats on your success!
The hot dog that is real popular in my area is first Miller Brand, and is the dog that they sell at the Oakland A’s, The Raiders, the Sacramento Kings, the Stockton Ports. The other brand is Alpine, they are both family owned until Alpine got bought out by foreign investors. When they did the new group changed a lot of the way they are made. As a result the San Francisco Giants kicked them to the curb. So Miller Hot Dogs remain the best. Chappy
Another Millers slinger. hey Chappy!
Here on the shoreline of Connecticut the most popular hot dog the local brand Hummels is the one my customers prefer over all else.
Hummels. I need to check them out.
Hi Steve,
At der Frankfurter Cart, I’m using Oscar Mayer all-beef hotdogs, Nathan’s all-beef skinless hotdogs AND Nathan’s sausages (for those that want a non-beef hotdog for whatever reason, I also do a OM all-chicken, steamed to order)
Mike Q.
Steamed chicken – yum!
Find out what the big brand in your area here in Massachusetts Kayem is king They have a food service grade hot dog that stands up.
Another Kayem vote!
I have sold dogs in both the east coast (N.J. & N.Y.) and the Midwest (IA. & IL.) The best dog for me is Thumann’s All Beef natural casing pushcart frankfuter available in all sizes. Thumann’s has jobbers in most states. Try them once and your hooked
Happy Slinging to all
Ciao … Sal
Natural casing is awesome. Snappy and juicy!
I use Vienna 9 x 1 natural casing. They sell well and many tourists seek me out for a “Chicago Hot Dog Experience.” I also use Sam’s club Bakers & Chefs for those wanting a “tamer” dog.
Chicago = Vienna
This is great I can’t find any Brand that I know here in Cleveland Tn. I’m going to start in 2 weeks and I hope if anybody can help me out I will owe you big time. Ray
Any quality all beef dog will be fine Ray. Good luck!
been selling nathans 4/1 from sams club last five years price is sell for is $3.50 and that is a plain dog. never have had a person say was to pricey.
i boil and the things plump up so big they fill the bun i have people ask how do they have room for condiments!!
“sell em all”
Way to go Jerry!
ALL AMERICAN DOGS based in Bakersfield, Calif.
I use Hebrew National 1/4 lb All Beef Franks.
Loved by EVERYONE !
I like Hebrew National although I’ve never tried the QPs.
Hebrew National. I might be hurting my margins but I want to do quality.
I am using all Vienna 9:1 with natural casings for my regular and Chicago Dawgs, Vienna Brats and Polish. I am selling right on the beach in Treasure Island, Florida @ the Treasure Island Ocean Club resort. I couldn’t be happier!! $6 for a Chicago, $6 for Brats, $5 for polish, and $3 for regular dawgs with “no scrimping on the fixin’s”. The locals are calling me “the hot dawg Picasso”. I build each dawg personally, and have the following toppings available:
ketchup, yellow mustard, deli mustard, mayo, sriratcha, locally grown onions and tomatoes purchased at the local farmers market chopped fresh each morning, jalapeƱos, Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce, hot sauerkraut, pickle spears, and coleslaw. I’m told by customers each day we have the best hot dogs they have ever had. Sell em all!!!!
I love it. Hot Dogs. Beaches. Great profit margins. Way to go Chris!!!
We use a local favorite from Martin Rossol out of New Britain, Ct.
It’s a very tasty natural casing dog. Has a great snap when you bite it.
We also use their kellydogs (kielbasa) Also very good.
Been serving them for 30 years & everyone loves them.
Frankly I think they are the best !!
Arrrrrr har har !!!
1St Mate Jim.
I have heard of Martin Rossol. Very local. Very cool.
Well initially I was using Best’s Kosher. It was truly an amazing dog. I was getting them at Gordon’s food service. They were bought out by Sara Lee, and shortly thereafter sara Lee discontinued them, unfortunately. It seems like everytime I get a dog that I really like something happens on the supply end. I really liked Nathans and were buying them at my local Sam’s club and…bang! all of the sudden they quit carrying them. Now, in Ft. Wayne area at least, it seems like everybody and his brother have GFS generics. Even my favorite hot dog stand seems to be going down hill. I have toyed with the idea of actually breaking all the rules one day and going to a natural casing dog. Skinless is the only thing you can get here. I’m ot runnin g now, but that idea always seems to be in the back of my head and it won’t go away.
Try it and let me know how you do!
In Nebraska, The Beef State, it’s Fairbury brand ( Wimmers ). Served at all sporting events. Taste and size.
My sister just moved to Omaha. I’ll have to try Wimmers next time I’m up there. Go Huskers!
Just starting out; but, my favorite is from Real Sausage in Chicago IL 8 to 1
Real Sausage? Another one for me to look into.
Here in Arkansas I sell Oscar Mayer Premium Beef Dogs & Ball Park Beef Franks. My customers love them!
Another vote for OM!
Here in New York the way to go is Sabrett Natural Casing All Beef Dogs !!! My Dad Always Said “Once You Open That Yellow and Blue Umbrella” The people come Running !!! And Thats a Fact Here !!! But Now They are up to 4.99 per lb. Holy Moly I just saw Prime Rib on sale for that much !!! LOL I get mine at Restaurant Depot they have the best prices for everything !!! So Check me out @ WeenieWagonMike.com !!! Thats The Beautiful Website Steve Totally Built for Me !!! So Once Again Just Like A Sabrett Hot Dog ! Im on A Roll !!! “Hot Dog Mike”
HOT DOG MIKE IN THE HOUSE!!!
Here in Southern MA Pearl Hot dogs are the best hands down. I prefer Nathans over Kayem they seem to hold up the best no matter how you cook them. Old neighborhood are really good for the money
That’s my dog hot dog cart
Mike
Pearl? Must check them out too.
I sell all kinds of styles of hot dogs and I’ve used several but I am a Vienna beef kinda guy. I sell the 8/1’s, 6/1’s, 4/1’s and I also sell the 5/1 hot polish. I’ve used Sam’s brand, Bakers and Chefs 8/1 but I found their quality had changed because they used a different Meat packing plant. Now, whenever I’m in a pinch and I don’t have any Vienna 8/1s I use Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand all beef dogs and they are pretty dang good. My customers love my dogs and I love slinging!
Go Hawks!
Hello there!
We use GFS brand 100% beef hot dogs. They are so good, and many people in the north prefer a beef dog.
My personal favorite is a “Koegel’s” a Michigan brand. ?However, we watch our food costs. Those are my favorite because they snap when you bit into them. Yum!
Koegels are great!
I used Best Brand and was completely satisfied with them. Then Wham!, No more. I tried National Hebrew which are closest to the flavor but, they are more than a dollar a pound higher in cost than Nathan’s. Here in north east Florida most of the slingers use either Nathan’s or Sabrett’s. I just did a festival and ran out of Nathan’s. I had to Substitute with some of my wife’s Ball Park bun length yuk dogs, and believe it or not, I was told buy quite a few customers that they preferred the Ball Parks. Go figure. I think that the general public really doesn’t care what dog you sell as long as they get a generous portion of the toppings they like. Most can’t taste the dog very much buried under all that chili, slaw, peppers, tomatoes, Etc. anyway. Best policy is to survey your customers and what makes them happy will sure make you happy. Who cares if you’re serving “BAR S”.
I’ve had to toss some Ball Parks into the water myself when I ran out of my regular brand. Never had to resort to Bar S though, lol!
You are right though Leon, if the customer likes them who am I to differ?
Are there any members north of the border š would love to hear input from any Cannucks :-). I’m just in the process of getting all my ducks in a row to start slinging this summer! Pretty excited !!!!!
Lola’s Heavenly Dawgs
British Columbia
How are things in the Great White North?
Hebrew national
HN!
My choice is Hebrew National !
The choice of skate parks!
We serve only Sabrett “Dirty Water” dogs, NYC style.
The dirty water original.
great information. Just getting my car finished hopefully we’ll be up and running in May. had planned on using Sam’s choice but may try Nathan’s instead.
Try them both and let the customers tell you what they prefer. Customers love taste testing. It gets them involved!
Here in Pittsburgh for 3 years I have used only Sabrett 8-1 and they are well liked.
Sabrett is big on the East Coast and Florida too.
North of the border- am in Alberta-
Used Bigger Mitchells all Beef from
Wholesale Club & Polish Sausage from Costco- but this year they dont make the bigger Mitchells ( only small ones), so i need to find a reasonable all beef in alberta. Any suggestions from anybody??
Hey Darcy! Any suggestions?
I’m in Minneapolis area, Papa’s Hot Dogs, have used Ambassadors 8-1 for the last 2 yrs, sell for $3, natural casing, and Johnsville brats, really nice brat.
Hi everyone š
In response to Steve & Val. Im still pounding pavement searching out suppliers. I know locally we have an amazing wholesale bakery Specialty Bakery which supplies a concession van at Canadian Tire for Buns. I still have to approach 2 local butchers,and heading to Vancouver to check on beef suppliers in a couple weeks. Will keep you posted š
FYI woke up to 4″ snow and sunshine this morning.( we are at 4000′ ) by this afternoon sun still shining and grass is green. Gotta love it š
I realize everyone has a different liking when it comes to food. Most people like “all beef” hot dogs and are stuck in old ways. However, I serve Kunzler Grill Franks. They are a regional hot dog made in Lancaster, PA. They are pork and beef mixture with different spices that gives a different taste that my customers just die for. They keep coming to my cart for the dogs and the experience. It’s a place where you can have good food, good friends, and good time.
We are headed to Lancaster, PA for Memorial Day 2016. Where can I purchase the Kunzler Grill Franks that you use? Do you sell in Lancaster and where or what area is your cart? We’re from MN and Ambassador, Old Fashioned, course ground, skin-on hotdogs are my absolute favorite. We are in AZ now and the run of the mill hotdogs do not cut it.
Thank you for the information.
John
Thanx Darcy- will keep watching for your reply. Greatly appreciated !!
I’m here in San Diego and have been using a Hoffy 6/1 6 inch beef frank and doing a duel cooking method where I grill them initially and hold them in a water bath that has been flavored with onion powder, garlic powder black pepper and Liquid smoke. People seem to like them but they are missing that snap. I want that snap
Hi Michael, only natural casing dogs have the snap you are looking for. A skinless dog just doesn’t snap when you bite it. That’s not to say that skinless dogs are bad. I sell skinless myself.
Not one mention of Detroit coney dogs? Best chili dog anywhere!
Do the two competing chains National and American make their own dogs or get it from one of the sources mentioned?
I’m thinking of introducing Atlanta to them on my cart I’ll be starting in the spring!
Think these ‘ol southern boys and girls will try something new?
Most everyone will try something new. Go for it.
My Wife and I love a good Hot Dog. We discovered Eisenberg Hot Dogs about a year and a half ago and absolutely love them. We started with the 1/4 lb dogs and just recently bought a 10 lb box of 1/5 lb dogs. The 1/5 lb dogs allow a little more room for condiments, (no ketchup) ! We like to pair them up with Martin’s long potato rolls. The combo is a bit pricey but worth every penny.
Larry what supplier do you use to get your Eisenbergs? How many Hot Dogs do you get in a 10 lb box. I need to find a supplier where I can get them.
Living in Chicago you would think there is no other brand of hotdog besides Vienna Beef. In fact most people here if they don’t see a Vienna logo on the side of the cart or on the store window they will just move on til they find one (which isn’t hard to do since 95% of all Chicago hotdogs are Vienna). If you boil or steam your dogs so they have that snap when you bite into them, then Vienna is a good choice, but if you’re going to grill them so that the top splits open, then the natural casing Vienna’s aren’t necessary. I did my own blind tasting of 8 different brands that I could find here in Chicago and taste tested them side by side. I had a buddy cut them all up and number them so that I didn’t know which one I was tasting until after I rated them all and found out that Nathan’s and Hebrew National ranked higher than my beloived Vienna when grilled. 4th place was Chicago Red Hot brand, 5th was Oscar Meyer all beef weiner, 6th was a brand I never heard of called Chefline, and 7th was Scott Peterson. All of the top 7 were decent. The only brand I didn’t care for was Ballpark which was airy and not as flavorful as the others.
Just about any quality all beef dog will taste good. But like you said, certain regions have strong brand loyalty. I agree with you about the Ball Park Franks. They are weird. They come apart in the water if you hold them too long.
Just starting out – buying a stand here in jax fl. Besides costco anyone know any local place. The guy who has it now sells skinless, which I don’t like, and his soda is that chex, which I don’t like, any advise-
Try a local meat processor or larger butcher shop. Some of them make their own all beef hot dogs. Good luck!
Where can I find a meat market or somewhere they sell Eisenberg Polish Sausage. I heard Whittingham Meats in Alsip sells them, but I am not sure about that. If anyone can help I would appreciate.
Google it. The goog knows everything, lol.
Doing my research
Famous Frankie’s in Chicago land, nothing but Vienna.
I don’t run a hot dog cart but am surprised no one mentioned Pearl’s in Boston? They are the best in New England, way better than Kayems
Sam’s club members mark hold up best on my cart here in Philly as opposed to Dietz and Watson
A lot of my students use Sam’s club hot dogs on their carts with good results. Thanks for commenting Debby!
Great info._.Thanks so much. Purchased a cart today .Will be slinging soon.
Congrats!
Koegels
Miillers
Caspers
I have tried them all until I came across Ballpark premium hotdog.
They have no unhealthy garbage in them and there a larger hotdog which really fits the buns you get your moneys with in this hotdog
Very good flavor like hot dogs should taste like and not salty I swear every hotdog brand I have bought was so salty I had to drink water like crazy the rest of the night.
So I give Ballpark Premium Beef hotdog a thumbs up and an A+
Thanks Sandie!
well dogs are at best regional for brands for the most part, Nathans and Hebrew National seem to be the most common nation wide, (well Oscar Meyer too but they absolutely suck!!!!!0 Vienna all beef the best if you live in the Midwest, Chicago, with Nathans as a second choice. Sabbretts in New York but Dietz & Watson make a comparable dog with (I think better flavor and quality than Sabretts) If you are running your cart at events in Central Florida Then it’s Nathans and Sabretts, but I go for the Dietz and Watsons for customers that want that snap with their dog. Why no Vienna? Well you can’t get them in Florida except from a purveyor and I can’t place an order big enough. And Vienna got bought by Red Hots some years ago. (2 I think). So for the those in Florida a good dog at a cart is usually Nathens or Sabretts from the better carts, the carts that do not have a value it taste (not complaining) they serve anything they can buy cheap
Petit jean hot dogs. Petit jean meats morolton Arkansas. No other hotdog tastes like it. Simply the best….
Thanks Rob!
I don’t see any dates on this site (mobile view) so forgive me if this is way old but I’m a New Englander and it’s gotta be either Kayem or Old Neighborhood.
ON has become my favorite since discovering them for myself, but Kayem has always been good to me and is a great brand. They’re pretty much identical hogs either way.
One thing about Kayem:
They set up sample booths at local fairs sometimes….don’t get too excited though, sometimes they’re just that – sample booths. Meaning you only get a 1/4 hot dog in a bun. Lmao I never understood it because the people I know ALL KNOW AND LOVE KAYEM!
I’m from NY and grew up eating and loving Sabrett but we can’t get them here in Texas. What hot dog comes closest to the taste and “pop” of a Sabrett?
Boston Here! I serve Pearl clubs best flavor very meaty and huge is an understatement!
I’m not a fan of all beef dogs. I think they are harshly spiced and coarsely ground.
It’s been increasingly difficult to find pork/beef/veal dogs that have no poultry in them.
I’ve been keeping a list. It’s regional. There are no national brands.
Hofmann Syracuse (Co-packed in Wisconsin)
Hartmann Canandaigua, (Rochester)
Sahlen Buffalo
Helmholdās Troy NY
Wardynski Buffalo
Zweigle Rochester
Glazier’s Potsdam NY
Smithās Erie PA
Hummel Bros. New Haven CT
Grote and Weigel Bloomfield CT
Thumann New Jersey
Dietz and Watson Philadelphia
Saugy Rhode Island
Kayem Chelsea MA
Schonland’s Kayem Chelsea MA
Essem (Kayem) Boston MA
Shields Portsmouth/Kennebunk
Jordan, Schonland, Kirschner Portland ME (all now Kayem)
Koegel Flint
National Detroit
Greenfield Village Dearborn (Special for Ford)
Dearborn Dearborn
Kowalski Detroit
Winter’s Eastpointe MI
Vollwerth Hancock MI
Sheboygan Sausage Co./American Foods Group Green Bay/Mitchell SD/Sharonville OH
Bright Leaf Smithfield NC
Cloverdale Mandan ND
Wimmerās/Fairbury Nebraska
Schwab Oklahoma City OK
Farmer John’s Dodger Dog LA (Hormel)
Wow, that’s a great list. Thanks for sharing it Tom!
I agree with Tom Schwieger about many of these all beef dogs, but feel comparing all beef to beef/pork dogs is like comparing apples to oranges. They are just different, and it really depends what you are in the mood for or what the local market is in the mood for.
For me, the best hot dog I have ever had is the Deutschmacher, which apparently was bought out by Kayem along with a bunch of other products. The texture, bite, size and especially flavor is unparalleled, especially boiled/steamed. Kayem does make a really nice dog, but their deli type dogs are far superior to their packaged dogs you buy at the store (same with the Deutschmacher). The Dearborn 1904 is also very good as well for a beef/pork dog.
On the grill for a straight beef dog I like Hebrew Nationals, but it can be too powerful for many old time New England hot dog aficionados. If money is no matter, I’d recommend the Duck Inn Dog, which is made of beef and duck fat and just won the best hot dog in the world.
As far as preparation, I’ve found boiling the dogs in about 6 parts water to 1 part beer with some fresh smashed garlic cloves and caraway seed just adds tremendous depth and flavor, then finishing it off by hitting them on the grill to give it some caramelization and grill marks. If you are doing them in mass, prepare the dogs first then just finish them off when the customer is ready. This method can make up for what an inferior dog is lacking and and the smell will be bringing people in by droves. There is a place around me that does their dogs this way and they have been in business 100 years for a reason.
Thanks for the well thought out comment. Good stuff Roger!
Rosen hot dog buns. Made in downtown Chicago great poppy seed buns for Chicago dogs. I deliver bulk flower there very clean place strick cleanliness unloading requirements! I’m also looking at eisenberg’s seeing as it was an eisenberg that helped create viennas.
Right on Glenn. Rosen’s are great for steaming. They get nice and soft without getting soggy.
Koegel’s brand hot dogs! Taste great, good texture, and they snap when you bite them! Not sure how far from Michigan they are available, but to me, better then Nathen’s!
Nice! Thanks for the review Carl.
I have NOT seen one mention of the hot dogs I grew up onā¦and DEARLY LOVED!!!! I grew up in Shreveport, LA and we lived right down the street from a Brookshires. So every Saturday morning weād walk down for a few groceriesā¦mainly my 2 itemsā¦a āSugar Cakeā (which I can no longer find either!!!) It was a 5ā x 5ā x 9ā rectangular 7 layer cake with yellow cake & and a really sweet chocolate icing that had sugar crystals all in it (hence the name, I suppose!) After getting the cake in the bakery, I would head straight to the butchers meat counter for 5-6ā long string of what they called WILSON WEENIES!!! They were bright RED in color and all strung together in natural casing! They were not in a manufacturers packaging. They were on a styrofoam tray with plastic wrap stretching around them which I thought meant they were bought in bulk. But I know for a fact they were called WILSON WEENIES! They looked almost identical to the Maine āsnappiesā, but I donāt know if theyāre the same because Iāve never been to Maine! Ohā¦and once we boiled them for about 10 mins. weād take them out and the water in the pan would be red!!! Alsoā¦these are hot dogs, NOT hot links! They have wonderful flavor, but are not hot in any way! PLEASE HELP! Does anyone know what happened to either of these items? Iām so sorry, because Iām now 53 and this was back when I was like 10! Itās really kind of funny too, because I canāt tell you how many times my Mother used the Saturday trips to Brookshires as a way to keep me in line during the week!!!! You can even text me if you have any answers at 214 two50 two072 Thanks in advance for any help!!!
I plan on couple years when I retire to buy HotDog cart I think about it everyday. Counting the days!
As far as hotdog taste and being hotdog lover I tried them all. For me hands down Miller dogs have hem all beat taste is amazing, grilled or steamed they snap. Very plump and large way your supposed eat (sell) a
hot dog. My cart will be Miller hound bound
I have heard a lot of good things about Miller dogs. Good luck Jed and let me know how I can help you.
-Steve
I will Steve I appreciate that, when the time comes I will be bugging the dog out of you. Purchasing your books etc.
Jed
Had a burger shack in the small town of Willow Creek Ca.(northeastern Humboldt County). Our go to dog was “EVERGOOD OLD FASHION” all beef snap dogs !!! We had 8″ 6 to 1 – We served a chili dog open face with mustard , chili , chedder cheese , onions, tomatoes, olives, and jalapenos “AWSOME” – eaten with knife Fork !!! Moved to AZ.and cant find em anywhere !
Sounds delish John!
I use Cloverdale Meat on my cart.
I have used their All meat dogs and All beef dogs.
Personally I prefer the All meat-they have better flavor and not so greasy. I also sell their Polish brand as well. Per our health department requirements we have to boil dogs first and then we grill them. Customers love them.
Awesome Shari! Thanks for sharing that info. Always good to hear what’s working!
I’m just getting started slinging dogs and really appreciate all the feedback on the different hot dog brands. In fact, we just did a taste test tonight on 4 different hot dog brands and 3 brands of sausages. I have always liked Hebrew National but was impressed with Nathan’s too:)