We Tried 10 Hot Dog Brands and These Were the Best

A lot of my personal and professional life centers around specialty food. But can I tell you a secret? Hot dogs have always been one of my favorite things to eat. Even the cheapest hot dog at the store, when thrown on the grill and served with a bit of ketchup and mustard, is sublime and satisfying, especially during the summer. Gimme a bun or don't, it doesn't matter. 

After stocking up for a taste test, sticking mostly with beef hot dogs but including a few pork options and one turkey, I tried a bite of each plain from a grill pan on my stove, then added my usual ketchup-mustard combo to see how flavors and textures held up. 

Here's how they shook out, ranked from best to worst.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

$6.99 from Instacart

These were wonderful and easily my top pick. Quintessentially hot dog-y, but also with the most complex beefy flavor and a bit of grassiness to them. I also like that they were a bit smaller than the others.

$5.99 from Target

Many of my friends swear by Hebrew National, and they're one of the few Kosher options you can find, if that's important to you (or to one of your guests). 

I am not nearly as obsessed as some of my friends, but I have to say that these were very good — juicy, meaty, and flavorful. They almost had a baking spice flavor to them, which I really enjoyed.

$6.29 from Target

I think these ranked so highly because I was shocked (in a good way) by them. They're great! Lightly smoky, meaty, and juicy. The texture is a bit more delicate than the others, which I actually liked. That nagging voice that is normally saying "You've just consumed heart-attack-levels of processed meat" was quieter when I ate them. So I ate two.

$5.22 from Walmart

As a former New Yorker, I have quite a bit of Nathan's loyalty from summer days roaming Coney Island, where the original Nathan's hot dog stand still draws crowds. But, all that aside, these still rule. They're beefy, juicy, and quintessentially hot dog-y. These are the ones I will be bringing to backyard summer cookouts.

$2.08 from Walmart

These are very inexpensive, and I suppose okay for the price. That said, if you can afford to spend a couple more dollars, I'd do so. They just don't have much flavor!

$5.89 from Target

The Ball Park beef franks were a bit mushy and artificial tasting. If I'd used relish for the taste test, I maybe would have liked them better. Good salt balance, though.  

$3.89 from Target

These feel nostalgic to me, but I think they'd be lower on the list had that nostalgia not played a factor. Salty, without much other flavor, and a more rubbery texture than I'd like. My inner child loves these; my grownup palate does not.

$8.99 from Instacart

These were all right, with a natural casing snap but otherwise unremarkable.

$7.24 from Walmart

The McKenzie beef franks weren't actively offensive, but I also wouldn't call them good. A bit softer (the word "flaccid" came to mind) than I would hope, with a pretty generic, almost artificial taste.

$4.39 from Market Basket

These were … sweet? Not what I expect or want from a hot dog, especially if I'm adding ketchup (which I always do). But one of the ingredients is corn syrup, so I guess that solves that mystery. I couldn't find these online, which I think is fine. Don't bother.

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