Recommended:
Nathan's Famous Beef Franks
Our tasters heralded
Nathan's dogs for their "meaty," "hearty," "robust" flavor and
"firm," "craggy" texture-all qualities that separate them from the
over-processed competition. "Juicy, crunchy, salty, yum," said one
happy taster. 8 dogs $4.99 for 1 pound
Johnsonville Stadium Style Beef
Franks
Tasters appreciated the
girth and richness of these franks, which were the largest in our
tasting. Their flavor was described as "big and meaty but not
hot-doggy," with a "strong spice blend." Texture was deemed "good and
firm." 6 dogs $2.99 for 14 ounces
Hebrew
National Beef Franks
These franks scored
especially well for their "crunchy," "nice and juicy" texture and
"garlicky," "spicy," "beefy," and "smoky" flavor. One gushing taster
called them "almost perfect-well seasoned and juicy." 7 dogs $4.69
for 12 ounces
Recommended with Reservations:
Oscar
Mayer Beef Franks
While some tasters liked
Oscar Mayer's "smoky, strong flavor," these franks lost points for
being "ridiculously salty," "mushy," and tasting like "a mixed-meat
hot dog, not an all-beef one." 10 dogs $3.99 for 1 pound:
Kayem
Deli Jumbo Beef Hot Dogs
"Nothing fancy, like a
hot dog should be," said one pleased taster. "A little greasy, but
with good flavor," said another. Less glowing comments included
"bland and sour," "rubbery filling," and several references to a
"strange and sweet" aftertaste. 8 dogs $3.99 for 1 pound
Ball
Park Beef Franks
One taster called these
dogs "classic but unremarkable." Negative remarks included "mushy,"
"strange sweetness," and a mention of unpleasant "chewy membranes." 8
dogs $3.99 for 1 pound
Not
Recommended:
Boar's
Head Skinless Beef Frankfurters
Tasters found something
amiss with these "rubbery," "artificial-looking (too red)" hot dogs.
While the flavor was deemed "beefy," the "chewy" texture was a big
turnoff. "Smells a little like wet socks," complained one member of
our panel. 10 dogs $4.29 for 1 pound
Kahn's Bun Size
Beef Franks
The general consensus
was that these dogs "taste like they have a lot of filler" and have a
"very processed" texture. Most tasters complained about too much salt
and "no meat flavor or texture." "Like sour, salty bologna," said one
critic. 8 dogs $3.99 for 1 pound
Healthy Choice
Low Fat Beef Franks
Our tasters didn't think
these franks looked ("strange dark color") or tasted ("livery
undertones," "plasticky") like hot dogs. The "gummy-mushy-grainy"
texture drew serious complaints.
Boulder City's Best