Now that backyard barbecue season is upon us it’s time to reevaluate our hot dog options. But that begs the question: What exactly do you want from a hot dog? Different people want different things. Some see it merely as a meaty vehicle for toppings like spicy chili sauerkraut and peppers. Others hope for a hot dog that will take their taste buds on a nostalgic trip reminiscing about childhood summers playing tee ball and running around the water park. And still others still want a hot dog with a refined flavor that’s reminiscent of artisanal sausage rather than concession stand fillings.
| Channel | Publish Date | Thumbnail & View Count | Actions |
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 Mashed | 2019-12-10 17:00:19 |  4,670,649 Views |
The Best and Worst Hot Dogs to Buy at the Grocery Store
The good news is that no matter how specific your needs are there is definitely a hot dog out there that will meet your needs. The hardest part is finding that Goldilocks hot dog. That’s where I come in. I’ve grilled up common hot dog brands to find the best sausages for every need plus a few that you should skip altogether. Without further ado let’s dive into some hot dogs. Prices may vary depending on location.
The Bar S brand like Oscar Mayer and Ball Park is found all over the country and offers a number of sizes including bun-length and jumbo. Its most distinguishing feature however is its rock-bottom price. For eight hot dogs (12 ounces) you can expect to pay around $3.12. It certainly ticks all the boxes for convenience and value — but how does this all-beef frank taste?
I first noticed the slightly sweet flavor of this Bar S Frank compared to other more savory brands. This isn’t alarming when you consider that this sweetness may come from a traditional hot dog spice blend. Coriander and mace are sweet spices that set the American hot dog apart from all other sausages. Add to this a little sugar which manufacturers add to help caramelize the hot dog on the grill and you can see why this brand can be sweet. Surprisingly this sweetness complemented the beefy flavor of the frank very well and it was nice that all the other flavors weren’t overwhelmed by too much sodium. It has a soft texture so don’t expect it to give you a good bite but it’s not so soft that it’s tofu-like. Overall Bar S Beef Franks offer the best bang for your buck if you’re feeding a busload of family and friends at your barbecue.
