We Tried 10 Hot Dogs and You Won't Believe Which One Was Best

Closeup of Hot Dog in Bun on a Plate with Potato Chips

pjohnson1/istockphoto

Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.
Closeup of Hot Dog in Bun on a Plate with Potato Chips
pjohnson1/istockphoto

Doggone Delicious

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 worst to best — with most seeing a significant jump in price from May 2021, like lots of other grocery store purchases.


Prices and availability are subject to change.


Related: We Tried Popular Hot Sauces and Declare These the Best


Old Neighborhood Foods Frankfurters
Cheapism

11. Old Neighborhood Foods Frankfurters

Price: $4.39 from Market Basket
Shop Now


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.


Related: We Tasted Frozen Pizzas and This Is the Best

McKenzie Deli-Style Beef Franks
Cheapism

10. McKenzie Deli-Style Beef Franks

Price: $7.24 from Walmart

Shop Now

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.

Kayem Beef Hot Dogs
Cheapism
Oscar Mayer Classic Uncured Wieners
Cheapism

8. Oscar Mayer Classic Uncured Wieners

Price: $3.29 from Target

Shop Now


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.


Related: Foods We Miss From the '70s and '80s

Ball Park Bun Size Beef Franks
Cheapism
Bar S Classic Bun-Length Franks
Cheapism
Nathan's Skinless Beef Hot Dogs
Cheapism

4. Nathan's Skinless Beef Hot Dogs

Price: $4.62 from Walmart
Shop Now


As a former New Yorker, I have quite a bit of Nathan's loyalty from summer days roaming Coney Island. 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 grill-outs once it's safe to gather again.

Oscar Mayer Uncured Turkey Franks
Cheapism

3. Oscar Mayer Uncured Turkey Franks

Price: $4.99 from Target

Shop Now


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.


Hebrew National Jumbo Beef Franks
Cheapism

2. Hebrew National Jumbo Beef Franks

Price: $4.99 from Target

Shop Now


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.


Related: Where to Order the Most Extreme Hot Dogs Across the Country

Teton Waters Ranch 100% Grass-Fed Beef Hot Dogs
Cheapism