The Best Hot Dogs You Can Buy, According To People Who Eat For A Living
Let the dogs out!

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Nothing marks the start of the summer quite like firing up the grill, plopping on some hot dogs, and cracking open a cold one to sip while you flip. Much like PB&J and apple pie, hot dogs are an American classic—and there’s something magical about just how quick and easy they are to make. Plus, there are countless ways you can top your frank to customize your ultimate summer meal. Whether you opt to make your own, snag one from a cart, or order one up at a baseball game, dogs and summer are practically synonymous. But that doesn’t mean that they’re all created equal.
When it comes to making hot dogs at home, the right choice from the grocery store can make all the difference between a dog that’s best left to the kennel and one that’s the hit of the BBQ. And as it turns out, when you eat a bunch of hot dogs (28 to be exact!), you learn a thing or two about what separates the mutts from the prized picks.
Delish editors put store-bought hot dogs to the test to determine which brands earn top dog status. To level the playing field, all hot dogs were boiled—we decided to nix the grill, as we felt smokiness could mask any funky or subtle flavors. Buns, ketchup, mustard, relish, and other condiments were also off the table.
To select the winners, editors ranked the wieners on flavor, snap, texture, and density, whittling down our favorites to a coveted few. Here’s how it all shook out.


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