I consider myself a bit of a hot dog expert. After years of study*, I'm just about convinced that they get no better than Hebrew Nationals. I've tried every one of them in the store, from Oscar Meyer to Ball Park (all sizes) to Nathan's to Lucky Dogs and even some strange Mexican brand that settled about as well as eating a Urinal Biscuit sandwich. Hebrew Nationals are the clear winner at this point, with their Knockwurst being the absolute best of breed. Am I missing any particularly good ones? * As an example...when I was living in Jersey, my first solo trip to NYC gave me a weird opportunity...the chance to eat as many dirty water dogs as I wanted since I wasn't with anyone. Well, by late afternoon, I think I had eaten a total of 10 to 12 dogs from carts between Central Park and the Financial District. I actually felt like I was going to die a very slow death. I didn't, obviously, though I think I was mildly retarded for a few days. Also, I have extensive experience with Lucky Dogs, though I don't remember the details of too many of them. The clearest recollection I have is thanks to friends telling me about it. As a value-focused drunk, I ordered two -- with all toppings. Apparently, within 3 steps, I had lost both dogs and was left with buns full of condiments. And the story goes that I didn't notice that and repeatedly commented about how good those dogs were. I guess they have good condiments.
Baldwin County, across the bay from Mobile randomly has a couple of German influenced cities smothered between the French, Spanish, and British influences...particularly Elberta. German hot dogs (and sausage) are the best to me, and they are monstrous. Though they are probably just American hot dogs but they claim them to be their own.
I buy only Hebrew National Beef hot dogs. And if the bull is euthanized under a Rabbi's supervision, all the better.:thumb:
All of the top brands are pretty good and all of the cheapo's are pretty bad. I've been eating the turkey hot dogs from Louis Rich lately with 2/3 third fewer calories. It tastes just as good as the pork and chicken hot dogs and only slightly less tasty than the all-beef kind. Kind of pricey, though.
Cheap hot dogs are generally made from lips and asholes which in turn make Hebrew National Beef hot dogs the very best available. The Hebs do have standards you know.
HN is the best, but there was a kind of a "50s" throwback rest situated between Richards Ford and Bon Marche on Fla Blvd but on the other side if the street. They had a great menu, but I can't remember the name.They had hot dogs that had sausage skins so they,d "pop" when ya bit into them...damn those things were good. They also offered a PB&J on Texas toast...had sliced strawberries...man I loved that place. Probably not there anymore though. And I have "no" idea at all who made the dogs dammit! :tigereye::tigereye::tigereye::tigereye::tigereye:
