Homegrown Hot Dogs

Hot dogs, whether tucked in a bun at the ballpark or served on a stick at the state fair, are a great American summertime tradition. Fierce regional loyalties still shape the hot dog business: Many of the dogs produced in this country are made by local, often family-owned businesses, and flavors and styles vary widely from place to place. From North Carolina's peppery red skinless franks to Oregon's salami-like beef-and-pork dogs, from garlicky weiners made in Pennsylvania from a 1939 recipe to Coney Island's famously snappy franks, we love them all.

Credit: Todd Coleman

Displaying 1 of 32

John Morrell Bistro Naturals

OHIO

Made in Cincinatti from 100 percent uncured beef, John Morrel's Bistro Natural hot dogs are delicately seasoned with celery and sea salt.

$2.50 for a 1-pound package at a local store, like Family Dollar

Comments (12)

by MAHOFFMANSTS on 2012-06-26

How could you not include Sabretts???

by RICKJO on 2012-06-27

What? No Hoffman Hot Dogs and Coney's from New York!!!!!

by jeshaw on 2012-06-29

Albert's Brand from Green Valley Packing Co. in Taylorstown, PA is one of the most popular hot dogs at golf courses throughout the eastern US.

by Rtrblade on 2012-07-04

Dodger dogs?

by GILFOIL on 2012-07-04

Liehs and Steigerwald hot dogs from Syracuse, NY voted #1 in the US, but not on the list. And no Hoffman's. Not much of a list.

by CQUIST on 2012-07-04

Boar's Head -- you definitely have to include this brand. They are, hands-down, the best hot dogs in the US. Unfortunately Saags is beating them out here in Northern California so Boar's Head are hard to find. Saags aren't very good. They must just have a super salesman!

by NKR on 2012-07-04

Being originally from Buffalo, I grew up on Sahlens Hot Dogs. We still "import" them to Indiana every chance we get. The price at Taste of Buffalo seems awfully high. Wegmans Supermarket sells 3 lbs. online for only $9.99!

by tvalsamakis on 2012-07-06

MAHOFFMANSTS is right. No Sabrett's? And not just any Sabrett's, they have to be the hot dogs with the natural casing. They have a subtle taste and are juicy beyond description. A freshly steamed bun and spicy brown mustard...New York heaven. I miss home.

by tcln57 on 2012-07-07

Everyone likes the home team, and in NW PA it's Smith's. There is nothing that comes near the crunch of the skin of grilled Smith's dog and the juice and flavor inside.

by FLANABEAR on 2012-07-13

Hey Dog Lovers,

There is nothing like a red or white Zwiegel's hot dog, especially if you are loading it with onions and Nick Tahoe's hot sauce. People fly these dogs around the world...Hooya?

by lorir1ma on 2012-07-13

Hey, what about Blue Seal from Chicopee Provisions in Chicopee, MA. I have to ship them to TX for my family!