Best hot dogs / best hot dogs in America / best hot dogs in the U.S.

THE BEST STORE-BOUGHT HOT DOGS nationwide

NEWEST TEST:

Best hot dogs

Taste-Tested side by side

8/15/24 to 8/19/24

ALL ARE BEEF, EXCEPT THE FEW THAT ALSO HAVE PORK & BEEF OR PORK ONLY, DESIGNATED BELOW:

A

Nathans (second day test, this beat Oscar)

Oscar Meyer Classic (when fresh out of the package, this barely beat Nathans in test one)

A-

Oscar Meyer Natural

A- -

Nathan's – All Natural uncured

B/B+

Ball Park Angus

B (in order:)

Kirtland (Costco)

Private Selection (Smiths)

Wellshire – uncured

Trader Joes – Uncured Beef

Ball Park

Honest Dogs Pasture Raised – uncured

Wasatch Meats (sold at Mosida Butcher Shops) (PORK ONLY)

365 (Whole Foods) – uncured

Hebrew National – Natural

Hills – Premium Beef

Hills – Old Fashioned Frankfurters (PORK & BEEF)

Simple Truth

B-/B

Marketside Angus, uncured (Walmart's)

Cloverdale – Hardwood Smoked Old Fashioned Franks (PORK & BEEF)

True Story – Organic Grass Fed Uncured

WORTH USNG ARE ONLY ABOVE:

B-

Bar S

Applegate – organic uncured (smoky)

Niman Ranch – Uncured

C-/C

Trader Joe's – Uncured Grass Fed (different than theirs above)

Kayem – Old Tyme (BEEF & PORK)

Force of Nature – uncured, 100% grassfed, regenerative beef (hard texture)

C-

Teton Waters Ranch 100% grass fed and pasture-raised, uncured

Teton – Taste Buds – uncured beef (with vegetables)

C- -

Sakura – American style Kobe beef uncured

OLD TEST:

REVISED 8 Aug 21

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We've tested all 60 brands and varieties we've found in Utah stores and while visiting other states, since our dog tests began in 1995.  We've had parties of up to 18 people testing them, and these are the winners:

In our 30 Sep 2014 test, the order changed from Nathan'as as number one for over two decades, to the following (these companies keep changing their spices apparently) as the top 2 have improved!

1. Oscar Mayer Select PREMIUM (free of nitrates!). Taste-wise, #1. It also has the added benefit of being the only great-tasting dog free of nitrates! (cancer-causing in many studies)

2.  Nathans.  The word has spread - so they're now everywhere.  Very pricey.  Retails for 6 bucks a pack but sometimes on sale for far less.

3. Premium Select, at Krogers/Smith stores

4. Hoffy (Hollywood's original) (in stores)

5. Oscar Mayer Classic. all beef. Unfortunately, as with Nathans, it has nitrates (which are carcinogenic).

6. Ball Park Angus.

OTHERS TESTED FROM SAVED NOTES, AMONG ABOUT 60 BRANDS TESTED"

Trader Joe's All Natural Uncured Beef C+

A&H Kosher Beef B-

Golden West Certified Angus Beef since 1978 B/B

Niman Ranch B+

Hebrew National B- -

Meiers Gover. dogs B/B+

Meiers Polish Dogs B-

Snake River Farms -- gourmet frankfurters B

Meiers, highland sausage link C


Third, BEST STORE-BOUGHT POLISH SAUSAGES, SMOKED SAUSAGES, BRATS, etc. nationwide

1. Hillshire Farms Polska Kielbasa

2. Hillshire Farms Knockworst

These two were the top two in the mid-90's when we first tested. But Nathans, Hebrew National, and certain Johnsonville's are very good now too.