Boar's Head is a great frank. I'm referring to the all beef version with the natural casing. I haven't tried the beef/pork dog yet. This dog typifies the New York/New Jersey kosher style hot dog, and is, in my opinion, the best all beef dog with casing that you can buy in a supermarket in Jersey. My three favorites are Usinger's, Best's, and Boar's Head. I even had a taste test with these three brands (plus Sabrett) last week when I received my shipment of Usinger's from Milwaukee.
Usinger's aren't available in my area and Best's are only available at supermarkets in the skinless version. I'm fortunate in that I live fairly close to the Best factory and am able to purchase their natural casing beef franks. Sabrett natural casing dogs are rare, but available in a few choice locations from time to time.
I grilled these four dogs last week and compared them, topping them with mustard only. Usinger's is far and away the best. Too bad that they aren't available around here. This may be the best hot dog available anywhere. It's hard for me to pick between Usinger's and Thumann's. But it's like apples and oranges because Thumann's is a different style of dog. German style beef and pork, rather than the spicier all beef. But each dog is the best of it's type.
Boar's Head and Best's are very similar in taste and are actually closer to the New York/New Jersey/Chicago style than Usinger's. This style features a beefy taste with garlic and paprika dominating. There is little or no smoke flavor (smoke is more predominant in dogs containing pork and/or veal) and the dogs are fairly long and thin. Usinger's is shorter and thicker than dogs in this style and features a more smoky flavor than is typical. It also contains esoteric spices that you don't usually find in this type of dog. I think it works well, and I like these dogs so much that I order them a few times a year. Everyone that I know who has tried them loves them. But someone used to a more traditional interpretation of this style may prefer Best's, Boars Head, or Sabrett.
Best's and Boars Head were very similar as I said, but I think I preferred Best's just a little. A slightly wider range of flavors and spices. I was a little surprised because last time I compared these dogs, I preferred Boar's Head. But I think this was because the pack purchased was fresh, while the Best's dogs were in the freezer for awhile and probably lost some of their flavor. This time, everything was consumed right after being purchased without being frozen.
Sabrett was a good dog, but not as good as the other 3. For some reason, this dog doesn't taste as good on the outside grill. People have told me that they are made for cooking in water, and this may be so. The dog (about 8 to a pound) is fairly limp and mushy. The hot dog places that griddle cook these dogs (Papaya King, Gray's, Katz's) use a smaller version that has a tougher skin and consistency. This smaller version is outstanding on the griddle.
Boar's Head has a wide distribution. Although they are not national yet, they are available in many places across the country. Even in my neck of the woods, hot dog rich North Jersey, they are the best natural casing beef dog you can get in a supermarket. And their other meats are outstanding too.