Target has Vienna beef hot dogs

[CDouglas]

My son has declared the Target hot dog as the "best hot dog on the planet". My Target carries Vienna beef dogs. They are very, very good. Why can't I buy these in my local grocery store?

[masha bousha]

Do you mean they sell these in the grocery section or just in the snack bar?

thanks.

[hotdoglover]

Just the snack bar.

[hotdoglover]

Although I live in N.J. I know someone who works for Vienna Beef. The dogs sold at Target are a different recipe than those sold at the legendary Chicago Hot Dog joints. They are blander and made for the roller grill. I'm not a big fan of Vienna Beef dogs, though I do believe it is a good dog to go with the "salad on a bun" being milder than an East Coast beef dog and less likely to overwhelm the other ingredients. That said, the Target version, being made for the roller grill, is skinless and inferior. I hate roller grills. They are for movie theatres and 7-11's, not for people who take their hot dogs seriously.

By the way, kids like mild tasting dogs. That's why Oscar Mayer dumbed down their product. Years ago it was good.

[CDouglas]

Ouch, I would hate to think I was an occasional fan of inferior Vienna Beefs cooked on hated roller grills. Yet, they seem to sell endlessly and are purchased enthusiastically at the Target I frequent. And I would hate to tell my 7 year old son that he prefers dumbed down hot dogs because his palate has not matured enough to appreciate nuances that go past "mild".

Since you didn't offer alternatives in your post that would steer us in the "seriously" right direction maybe you could enlighten us? My kids have tried and enjoyed Hebrew Nationals, Nathan's (a grilled favorite), Sabrett's, Dietz and Watson's and the supermarket regulars. Nathan's seems to be the one that I make that they ask for the most. As I am below the Mason-Dixon I may not have access to the same products you have in NJ but let me know what you think I should try in order to put things in better perspective.

[hotdoglover]

I was a kid once and I lived on Oscar Mayer. Although I never desecrated a hot dog with ketchup, it seems that most kids do until they outgrow it. I'm just a hot dog lover who has sampled close to 200 different brands of hot dogs (including homemade butcher and pork store dogs)

I make a distinction between spicy kosher style all beef dogs like Hebrew National, Sabrett, Nathan's, and those in the German style. German style dogs are made from beef and pork (sometimes with veal also) and are not as well seasoned (little or no garlic or paprika) as the kosher style. Comparing the two styles are like comparing apples and oranges. Those that like the spicy beef dogs consider the German style to be bland, while those who prefer the milder beef/pork dogs say that the all beef dogs are too spicy. I like both styles and have whatever I happen to be in the mood for.

That said, you listed a few of my favorite brands. Sabrett, Hebrew National, and Nathan's are great dogs. I look for them with casing, as it adds snap and keeps in the flavorful juices. You are unlikely to find Hebrew National with skin as lamb, sheep, and hog casings aren't kosher. But some delis sell them with a collagen casing. This is how I get mine. Three great all beef dogs (my 3 favorites) are Best's from N.J., Boars Head, and Usinger's. I go to the factory in Newark for Best's because it's the only place where you can get their franks with the casing. There and the particular hot dog joints in N.J. that serve these natural casing dogs.

Boars Head has almost national distribution. You can probably get them where you live. Usinger's are great, but you have to mail order them.

For the German style beef and pork dogs, Thumann's is hands down the best I've had. May even be the best hot dog made. Go for the the beef/pork franks in the blue and white package. These may or may not be available where you are. If they aren't, I would try asking the owner of a pizza or sub shop who uses Thumann's cold cuts to order some of their franks for you.

If you happen to live near a European butcher or Pork Store, seek out their homemade franks. I've been to many of these places and have yet to have a frank that isn't above average.

Usinger's also makes a good German style frank. If you live near a Wegman's, they carry some fine German style franks from northern New York. Hartmann's, Sahlen's, Hofmann's, and Zweigles are all exceptional. These are milder than the beef dogs, but in no ways bland. Just a different spicing with a wider range of subtler flavors.

The best way to enjoy these franks are with casings and prepared on a griddle or grill, which gives them a nice char and imparts a much better flavor than a roller grill or a pot of hot water.

[bagelman01]

Hotdoglover.........please don't make pronouncements on what is Kosher or not. You are correct that hog casings are NOT kosher. However, lamb and sheep casings can be kosher is taken from an animal that is slaughter according to the rules of Kashrut. BUT>>>Hebrew National makes 100% all beef hot dogs, they couldn't use a casing from a sheep or a lamb.
There is not much kosher lamb production in this country. Kosher lamb chops can cost $15/lb. Using a lamb casing on a kosher hot dog would probably make the cost prohibitive.

[hotdoglover]

I don't know much about what is considered kosher or not, but I was told by someone working in a kosher deli (Maple Kosher meats) that only collagen casings can be used on a kosher hot dog because the other casings come from the back of the animal, which isn't considered kosher.

It seems to me that there are many ideas of what is and isn't kosher. Many Jews don't even consider Hebrew National kosher because they disagree with the certification. I once asked the owner of of Deli King in Clark, a place that calls itself kosher, why they are open on the Sabbath. I was told that kosher laws allow for them to be open Saturday; the places that close are Glatt Kosher. After that I spoke with someone at Maple Kosher Meats who told me that a kosher deli HAS to be closed on the Sabbath, and that the guy who is open is just doing it for the money. So, who knows? Certainly not me.

In any event, I prefer a hot dog with casing, kosher or not.

[bagelman01]

I also prefer a dog with a casing.

I worked in the kosher food industry for many years and their is much misinformation out there.

[biga290]

i have seen vienna pups at stew leonard's in yonkers, ny.