This has been bothering me for a long time, and now it’s time to lay it on the line. I would have hoped you would all own up before now, but you just couldn’t man up, could you. So here goes:
Nathans. You?
Boar’s Head All Beef - Natural casing when they’re available.
Ted’s, although that’s a chain, not sure they make market ones.
Ballpark otherwise.
I do like Teds. Got a sack of em in the freezer but had to pick it up from an actual Teds location and bring it back to Chicago.
My favorite? Vienna Beef natural casing dogs. A great hot dog really needs that natural casing, otherwise it falls short. That “snap” is key. (Although I think Ted’s uses collagen casings, but it’s still a great dog.) ETA: actually, the Sahlen dogs Ted’s uses might be natural casing. I’ll have to check later. In either case, it’s not skinless.
Hebrew Nationals, nothing else.
If I have to eat a skinless dog, that’s the one for me.
Hebrew National. Except at a German restaurant here in Houston that serves the best tasting frank I’ve ever had. They won’t say where they get them, but I know they don’t make them on site.
Well, I’m vegetarian but if anyone’s interested my favorite vegetarian brand for this kind of thing is Smart Dogs.
I don’t really like the ones made by Morningstar Farms. Tofu Pups are o.k. But, really, I generally only buy Smart Dogs.
Thirded. I’m lucky enough to have a few hot dog/sausage places nearby that make their own, but for store-bought I always go with Hebrew National.
ETA: Fourthed, actually.
Ditto…but only the large, four hot dog to a pack size, not those other sizes.
BTW, they seem to be getting pricier and pricier…currently $4 for the four hot dogs. Last year they were $3 for the same package.
Another Hebrew National.
Though I will eat Nathans in a pinch, but with more mustard and kraut.
Forgot to mention that even the German visitors we get here in Las Vegas all agree the Hebrew National brand is up to snuff with some of the best in Germany. And as far as where your restaurant in Houston is getting theirs, there are several places in the US that make “real” German sausages and ship them frozen within the US. A bit pricey for the average home, but if you order them by the case they are probably more affordable.
CostCo’s Kirkwood brand.
I checked (and just ate one), and the Sahlen dogs I bought at Ted’s are of the collagen casing type. Still has reasonable “tooth” to it. Love these dogs. A bit milder in flavor than Vienna Beefs, (and they are a mix of pork and beef), but awesome, especially when grilled like they do at Ted’s. I like my Vienna Beefs steamed/boiled, but Sahlens grilled.
Lips and assholes!
Bright Leaf, from NC.
…and don’t forget wiener flavor!
Please tell me the name and location of this restaurant. Fellow Houstonian here and I am craving a few Neunbergers(wish hope and beg).
Capt
I also happen to like Costco’s Kirkland brand, and aside from those, my favorite are Sabrett.
My name’s not Frank.
But Nathan’s are my dog of choice.