Essems Hot Dogs - where can I get them north o Boston?

[lexpatti]

We are having a hot dog blind tasting next weekend and I still need to add Essems. Anyone know where, I thought I had read somewhere but now can't find that thread. We all claim to know the best dog, so we're going to find out by doing a blind taste test - only I will know which is which. We have Jordan's, Ball park, Schonlands, Pearls, Fenway Franks, few others - still want Essems.

[lexpatti]

Ok the results are in - we had a blast. There were 12 of us total playing this game!! Essems won with 3 votes (not a huge landslide) and Kayam, Pearls and Fenway all got 2 votes each. Leaving Schonlands, jordans and ball park with only 1 vote each. It was fun, we're trying to come up with our next taste test!! Any ideas? I've done a chili cookoff but what next?

[pondrat]

Thanks for sharing....What was the cooking method ??

[lexpatti]

Weber Genesis Silver Gas Grill - winner of the last event doing burgers on 3 diff. grills. :-)
We're thinking the next event might be lobster (every which way).

[pondrat]

Interesting...I'd be curious if the results would hold up if the dogs were boiled or steamed ?

[lexpatti]

Yea, lots of variables here with dogs. We did them bite size and bare, not in buns with condiments. I got many people upset, they never heard of Pearls and don't know where to get them and they loved em. Most are up north (Moultonboro and North).

[Harp00n]

Lobster split & grilled on that Genesis Silver would seem like a natural, lexpatti.

Harp

[FriedClamFanatic]

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Who was the winner????????????

Inquiring minds (and tummys) want to know!

[lexpatti]

Moved it to Labor Day Weekend - I'll definatly update the results. I just had some wonderful dogs at a catered event and had to ask them which brand. They usually use Essems but they ran out and used Kayem's (those are the only two they use). So they've been added to my list for this shin dig!!! :-)

[Harp00n]

Well then it's not too late lexpatti, to throw another dog into the fight, sorry! :-(
Oscar Meyer Deli Style all-beefs are pretty damn good even if they're coming from a national distributor. All those dogs will go just great with those cases of Moxie, that I'm sure, you're icing down even as we speak.

Harp

[pondrat]

Lex...PLEASE post the results...I know that most of us frank-o-philes would love to know what dog is hot ! I'm thinking about doing the same paired with microbrew root beers.

[Harp00n]

How about throwing in the old, unimproved, recently re-released and with the proper dose of real sugar macro-brewed Moxie?

Harp

[pondrat]

Now that's a taste I've never been able to acquire.

[lexpatti]

ditto!!! blech!!!

[Harp00n]

Obviously, my hirsute comments directed at pondrat :)

[Harp00n]

The official beverage of State-O-Maine.
Only those with hirsute chests need apply! :).

Harp

[FriedClamFanatic]

$5 bucks on Schonlands! Loved them when we lived in NH. When we go up there, we get a small cooler full to take home to PA. Nothing like it here.

Now.....to put a ringer in.......Get some Linguica that is hotdog shaped and put them to the test. All your testers will Rave! LOL

[lexpatti]

Thanks all, found em at Market Basket in Londonderry - prob have them too in Tewksbury but never asked them at the deli (which is where they are). In fact, they aren't even out where you can see them, but big sign above selling kayam, schonloands and essems. Can't wait to do this taste test and report back. Good way to find out which you really love. We did this recently with grills - took the same burgers and cooked them on 3 different grills. One charcoal, two gas - Weber Silver Gas won by a 5 to 0. Charcoal came in second.

[Harp00n]

"big sign above selling Kayem, Schonland and Essems."

And I'm sure you're aware lexpatti, that they're all made by Kayem in their beautiful downtown Chelsea, Ma facility. They do claim, however, that they're using all the original unaltered recipes so it will be interesting to see your results.

Harp

[lexpatti]

funny, I knew that kayem and schonland are owned by the same but didn't know essems. The big box at bjs of kayem say right no the package "original schonlands".

I think a sister is going to host a beverage taste test tooo - should be fun.

[Infomaniac]

Kayem is taking hold of the Hot Dog market in New England.
In addition to acquiring Essem from Tyson Foods a few months ago, they also acquired from Tyson, Deutschmacher, Jordan's, Kirschner, Sunny Isle, Williams of Vermont and Tasty Bite.
Could be a big money maker if you can take a little piece of the pie.

[lexpatti]

Kewl, I couldn't remember who bought Jordan's. Love their dogs, we had a hot dog stand for a couple years and always bought Jordan's - everyone loved them. We even did their knockwurst - fantastic - called em "fat boys" in honor of Bike Week. :-)

[lexpatti]

Thanks all, guess all Mrk Bask or Shaws aren't created equal. I can easily stop today in Londonderry but mine in Lowell/Tewksbury doesn't carry Essems. And Shaws in Tilton doesn't either. We are pushing our test to labor day weekend - too much going on.

[ScubaSteve]

talk to the MB Deli Manager. i've found that if one MB has something it can be had at them all.

[kparke30]

Hey Lexpatti - you should find Essems at most Market Basket/DeMoulas locations, also Haverhill Beef carries what they call 'natural casing' franks which is most likely Essems but you may want to ask to be sure. Essem hot dogs are pretty easy to find north of Boston. In fact, I passed a deli on River St. in Haverhill the other day that had a sign in the window - '2 Essems' as a lunch deal. Yum. Good luck.

[ScubaSteve]

there's a Deli on River Street????
do tell.....

[kparke30]

Actually, the name escapes me but it's the place across from the Mercedes dealer & the old DQ on River St., next to the car wash? Ramone's maybe? Can't recall, used to have decent Middle Eastern food, not sure anymore, just coming back into the area after a few years away. Off topic, I've heard that Barrett's on Merrimack St. is good for sandwiches. It's in the old Barrett's dept store spot, owned by someone from that family.

[ScubaSteve]

JJ's Kabob and Pizzeria. it's not a deli by any stretch. they got some decent reviews for their falafel but on the one occasion i tried it it had hard little bits of chick peas which were kinda off-putting. plus the place hasn't been scrubbed in far too long. the Cops seem to like it though.

as an aside there is a "Deli" going in the old (iirc) Boston Market on 125 near the Plaistow line, i think the sign says "Mark's NYC Deli". i know i'm going to be disappointed in what they're probably going to call a Deli but i'll be checking it out when it opens and post back.

[Infomaniac]

The new deli opening is called Ken's NY Deli.

[ScubaSteve]

so do you think it will be a DiNO?
(Deli in Name Only)

[Infomaniac]

DiNO....I like that one..

Like you, I'm hoping for something special.
I hope it's not like an A-1 Deli.

[three of us]

Market Basket. The one in Billerica, Treble Cove Plaza has them. You have to ask for them at the deli counter. We've also picked them up at MB in Andover.

Yes'm, it's Essem!

[hotdoglover]

lexpatti,

Let us know the results of the taste test. Too bad you don't have access to Thumann's, a New Jersey dog. In my opinion the best German style beef and pork dog I've had. Just remember that in comparing a spicy, kosher style all beef frank to a milder German style beef and pork dog (with different spices) is sort of like comparing apples and oranges. Best's, another N.J. company makes my favorite all beef dog. Boars Head, which is probably available near you is one of the 3 or so best beef dogs I've sampled.

Here in N.J. we just started to get Pearl franks. They are sold in a super Stop & Shop under their (Stop & Shop) label, but I found out that they are indeed Pearl. Excellent beef dog; my wife's favorite, and probably what I would pick out of the brands mentioned.

Have fun and report back!

[hugo]

The Market basket in Burlington used to sell the Essem kielbasa, but haven't seen it for some time. It is far better than the Hillshire Farms brand they now carry. Do you know if the Billerica store carries it ??

[jakeyd]

Shaw's usually has Essem's.

[jillso]

I think Stop & Shop between Wells and Kennebunk may have them.....and they also carry Shield's (made in Maine) brand.