Costco's new dogs

Re:Costco's new dogs (chicagostyledog)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:20:20 GMT

The hot dogs served at the Chicago Costco (Lincoln Park) are produced by USDA 1. USDA 1 is Vienna Beef.

CSD

Re:Costco's new dogs (John Fox)

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:16:56 GMT

Hebrew Nationals are still being served at the Union Costco.

Re:Costco's new dogs (David_NYC)

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:49:34 GMT

I just want to clarify that not all COSTCO snack bars are using the Kirkland private-label dog these days. The Hebrew National is still being used in many COSTCO snack bars.

Re:Louie's Franks Might Be Quite Good (David_NYC)

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:34:32 GMT

FWIW, someone posted information on that addictedtocostco blog post I referenced above that the Kirkland Signature All Beef dogs are made by J & B Sausage Company in a plant in Texas. J & B does a lot of private label.

The COSTCO magazine did a followup to the story posted earlier in this thread. Included was a statement from COSTCO's VP of Food Service. The followup can be found here:
http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/200905/?pg=69#pg69

I believe that in many parts of the country where COSTCO does business, people may prefer the taste of COSTCO's private label dog, since it will be closer to what they buy in the supermarket than to the Hebrew National New York Kosher dog.

Re:Louie's Franks Might Be Quite Good (ken8038)

Thu, 14 May 2009 17:53:31 GMT

I was at the Costco's in Edison NJ today and the Hebrew National Dogs are alive and well, with no known plans to change (although I'm not sure they would have told me otherwise if they were planning to change).

Re:Louie's Franks Might Be Quite Good (David_NYC)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:02:09 GMT

Outstanding, John! Another case solved. Now there is no reason for the New Jersey COSTCO's to switch to that Kirkland dog.

Even the Professionals started a thread about Louie's last year:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?high=&m=424223

Abie advertised on that thread as well.

Re:Louie's Franks Might Be Quite Good (John Fox)

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:28:26 GMT

Although I didn't get to speak with the person from Empire National who has been helpful to me in the past, I did speak to someone else from the company who verified that Louie's All American Kosher franks are indeed Empire National hot dogs that are shipped to Florida from Brooklyn, N.Y.

Our friend Abie would have had some credibility if he stated that right off the bat. Perhaps he is like many other people who want to convey that they are selling something special that you can only get from them.

I can say that I've had Empire National kosher franks both skinless and with a collagen casing. They are available at a few places near me, namely Seroff's in Irvington and Zayda's in South Orange. Unfortunately these places only sell skinless franks. The guy I spoke with said that you can have a place that sells their franks order a package of them with casing for you if they don't already offer them.

Now that I know the brand, I can say with certainty that Louie's All American Kosher franks are a top notch hot dog. But Abie, don't let that stop you from shipping me some!

Re:Louie's Franks Might Be Quite Good (John Fox)

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:56:57 GMT

Good work David. I'll see if I can verify for sure if the franks are from Empire National. I might have a contact there. And they do make franks with collagen casings. Maybe Abie is prohibited from stating the brand.

Until they closed, Tabatchnik's 1/3 lb kosher frank with casing was made by Empire National. It was the same recipe as the regular Empire National franks, only with casing and a different size. One of the owners of Tabatchnik's convinced Mr. Weinberg of Empire to make a special size for him.

It was a very good dog.

Louie's Franks Might Be Quite Good (David_NYC)

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:36:03 GMT

Coming home today, I stopped off at a supermarket in Alphabet City. They often sell products ignored by the local chains. This time I found some franks made by National Deli, Miami, Florida. Was I wrong about Abie? National is a non-kosher provisions house in Miami. Their USDA plant number is 6388.

I decided to hit the Internet archive to see what older pages of the All American web site looked like. Well, this image may have been Photoshopped, but it ties Louie's franks to being made in Brooklyn by Empire National:
http://web.archive.org/web/20070202170257/www.allamericanhotdog.com/hotdog_sales_images/packaging.jpg

The USDA plant number shown is 5386, which is Empire National's. The first five of the UPC code is 16672. I have a partially eaten Empire National salami in my refrigerator; only the numbers 16672 remain of the label.

If Louie is making Empire National products available to Miami area residents, good for him. Still no way to tell what spice formula they are using. Miami Don may enjoy them. Freshly delivered Empire National franks have an expiration date two months out.

Re:Costco's new dogs (David_NYC)

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:36:26 GMT

This thread has the potential to become another Gary, Indiana pizza saga.

No one has yet identified who is making COSTCO's new franks. But, this article indicates the franks were/are sold at retail:
http://addictedtocostco.com/2009/04/16/kirkland-signature-hot-dogs-polish-sausages/
If some one could post the USDA plant number, we could have some more fun with this topic.

Edited for brevity.

Re:Costco's new dogs (ann peeples)

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:06:07 GMT

Al, did you have Kirkland or Louies?

Re:Costco's new dogs (John Fox)

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 06:54:22 GMT

I spoke with a manager at the Union Costco who said that he heard about the Kirkland dogs, but is not sure that his location would switch. For now they are still selling Hebrew National franks. I haven't seen nor tried the Kirkland dogs but I think my reaction will be similar to Markolenski's and the majority of the people from another site who didn't like these dogs.

Re:Costco's new dogs (markolenski)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:01:08 GMT

I had my first and last of the new dogs today. Here in San Diego they are a only a few Costco’s. Most still have Hebrew National. The new dogs are larger but to me taste like a giant Oscar Meyer all beef. It was served hot but the inside was very wet and the favor profile is not something I liked. I ate half and threw the rest away. I just finished my email to Costco hoping they keep the Hebrew Nationals in most of our area stores.

Re:Costco's new dogs (mayor al)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:38:11 GMT

I posted my opinion of the New Polish Dogs further up this page of the thread.
AL

Re:Costco's new dogs (John Fox)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:36:01 GMT

Great job, David. Don't think we'll be hearing from Abie.

Re:Costco's new dogs (Bossa Nova)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:59:21 GMT

Nice detective work, David!

Re:Costco's new dogs (David_NYC)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:54:56 GMT

I wouldn't mind taking a flyer and buying some of these franks and paying the shipping on these franks if I was sure that Louie really created a unique new recipe HIMSELF. But the morning network "chat" shows are filled with people promoting their new products. Most of these people don't own a factory and many paid someone else to formulate/design the product. All these marketing types do is flog it, as the Brits would say. Anything with meat that gets shipped to me will have a USDA plant number on it. If I find a brand in my supermarket with the same plant number on it and it tastes the same as the product I paid a fortune for to have shipped, I am going to get mad.

There is no way to know who posted the following example of keyword spammming on tradekey.com:
"On behalf of Louies All American Kosher Hot Dogs Co, Our clients understand that our New York family based company has brought 36 years of excellence far beyond our clients expectations. All American Hot Dog has experience that will guarantee your company a serious and committed venue at your location. After so many years you can be rest assured that we know how a hot dog should taste; and with our special kosher hot dogs Under the Strict Supervision of Rabbi Israel M. Steinberg, you will be receiving kosher hot dogs that many more can enjoy at the same price as non-kosher hot dogs. All American Hot Dog has attracted the attention of many because of our curiosity and dedication, we have had features from the Miami Herald, New York Times, Radio City Music Hall, among others and is most recognized for the Hot Dog eating contest held on the fourth of July. Our empire has come to be recognized and regarded in very high stature and we even have the honor of being named the King of Hot Dogs. Starting this baseball season we will be the official kosher hot dog of the NY Yankees, NY Mets and the NY Giants. We look forward to enriching you with the Best Kosher Premium Hot Dogs for many years to come."

Legend:
"Hot Dog eating contest held on the fourth of July" - Nathan's Coney Island and Louie's Florida.
"Our empire" - Empire National
"Best Kosher" - defunct Chicago operation of Sara Lee.

From:
http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2589996/Louies-All-American-Kosher-Hot-Dogs.htm

I have seen the name Rabbi Israel M. Steinberg often. That led me to the Kashruth section of Empire National's web site. Empire National operates a plant in Brooklyn that makes kosher frankfurters. I buy their products at Western Beef supermarkets. Anyway, the content of Empire National's Kashruth page is the same as in the link provided by John Fox:
http://www.allamericanhotdog.com/order2.html
Empire's:
http://www.empirenational.info/pages/kashruth.html
http://www.empirenational.info/pages/kashruth2.html

Empire's plant number is 5386. I have never gotten sick from any of their products. We have had good reviews on this forum of their products. Empire just happens to make products in skinless and collagen casings and in the same put-ups as Louie's:
http://www.empirenational.info/
Click on FRANKFURTERS.

Abie is going to have to tell us if Louie's franks are better than the stock Empire National franks, regardless of who makes Louie's franks, and why.

Pork cannot be added to any Kosher food.

Re:Costco's new dogs (ann peeples)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:18:57 GMT

Bravo, John!!! I know The Mayor makes trips to Costco-maybe he will try them for us ,as well.

Re:Costco's new dogs (John Fox)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:13:38 GMT

And if you look at his profile he lists Louie's All American Kosher Hot Dogs as his interest. Not to say the dogs aren't good, but an opinion from Miami Don or another Roadfood poster would carry more weight with me than someone who has an interest in the company and is blatantly plugging their dogs.

Re:Costco's new dogs (ann peeples)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:00:15 GMT

John-its funny, right before I read your most recent post, I was thinking the same thing-that abie932 must work for this company since all the posts have been about Louies. MiamiDon-will be waiting for your "review"!!

Re:Costco's new dogs (MiamiDon)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:05:27 GMT

That post is a copy of the All American press release from 2007.

The hot dogs are evidently available with or without casings.

One of these days I'll "take one for the team" and buy a package to try. I'm going to have to bring a cooler, as the nearest retail availability seems to be at least 25 miles from my house.

Re:Costco's new dogs (John Fox)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:50:25 GMT

On the site it mentions that the dogs are a new recipe.

http://www.allamericanhotdog.com/order2.html

Re:Costco's new dogs (David_NYC)

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:06:26 GMT

I never received an answer from abie932.

From:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=425707&high=

David_NYC

abie932

Hi,

Best's Kosher is out of buisness for the past 6 months but try Louie's All American Kosher Hot Dogs www.Allamericanhotdog.com
1-800-808-1396

What are we talking here? Hebrew National? 999? International Glatt? Empire National? Meal Mart? Postville?

Corrected URL of referenced Roadfood thread.

Re:Costco's new dogs (NYPIzzaNut)

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:26:27 GMT

I think their pizzas and hotdogs are equally poor.

Re:Costco's new dogs (John Fox)

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:34:29 GMT

abie932

Costco should consider Louie's All American Kosher Hot Dogs.

Louie DiRaimondo, founder and president of All American Hot Dog Carts, proudly announces a new brand of hot dogs — “Louie’s All American Kosher Hot Dogs.” As the world’s largest hot dog cart maker, manufacturer and retailer, making hot dogs was the natural next step for America’s Hot Dog King, who literally wrote the book on the business (titled I’m on a Roll). Who better to launch his own hot dog line than the “Hot Dog King” himself, DiRaimondo, who’s been in the hot dog vending business for more than 30 years and has now created his own unique recipe to make the “perfect frank.”
“You can’t have a hot dog without the King. Once people try Louie’s All American Kosher Hot Dogs, they’ll know what a real hot dog should taste like,” said DiRaimondo. “Louie’s All American Kosher Hot Dogs are plump and juicy and have just the right bite to them.”
Louie’s All American Kosher Hot Dogs are currently available online at www.allamericanhotdog.com or at the All American Hot Dog Carts corporate offices, located at 292 NW 54 Street, Miami Florida. DiRaimondo plans to have his hot dogs in major grocery stores nationwide within the next six months.

Since you have an interest in Louie's All American Kosher Hot Dogs according to your profile, I can hardly consider you objective. Seems to me this is a blatant advertising plug. I can't comment on the quality of these dogs since I haven't sampled them, but I am skeptical. "You can't have a hot dog without the King"? Be serious.

"Once people try Louie's All American Kosher Hot Dogs, they'll know what a real hot dog should taste like." Darn, and I was under the impression that some of the high quality hot dogs made from whole cuts of beef and/or beef and pork rather than just trimmings (which is probably what Louie's are from) were real hot dogs.

I'm looking forward to sampling the "perfect frank." Is it perfect? Well, to be considered anywhere near perfect, it's my opinion that a frank should have a casing. Most kosher franks do not, although you can get some with a collagen casing from a kosher butcher. Since Louie's intends to be in grocery stores nationwide, I doubt these dogs will have a casing. So much for perfection. Believe it or not there are many people who believe a perfect frank is a combination of beef/pork or beef/pork/veal.

Let the people on this forum who know hot dogs be the judge. Feel free to ship me a sample. I'd be happy to give my honest opinion. And if you are sure that they are that good, then in all probability they will get a great review. And this from someone who does not have a personal or professional interest in Louie's. Unless of course you are afraid that these franks might be judged less than perfect or not what a real hot dog should taste like.

Re:Costco's new dogs (NYPIzzaNut)

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:23:23 GMT

Garlic is life.

Re:Costco's new dogs (Twinwillow)

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:16:55 GMT

leethebard

Sounds good....I hope they taste close to the Thumanns also sold at our Costco, along with the Hebrew Nationals!!!

I love Thumann's! I stopped buying Sabrett for Thumann's "pushcart dogs" in the natural casing.
Less salty and, garlicky with a very nice texture similar to German veal sausage.

Re:Costco's new dogs (NYPIzzaNut)

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:00:47 GMT

If the guy can't spell hotdog right how good can his dogs be?

Re:Costco's new dogs (abie932)

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:54:26 GMT

Costco should consider Louie's All American Kosher Hot Dogs.

Louie DiRaimondo, founder and president of All American Hot Dog Carts, proudly announces a new brand of hot dogs — “Louie’s All American Kosher Hot Dogs.” As the world’s largest hot dog cart maker, manufacturer and retailer, making hot dogs was the natural next step for America’s Hot Dog King, who literally wrote the book on the business (titled I’m on a Roll). Who better to launch his own hot dog line than the “Hot Dog King” himself, DiRaimondo, who’s been in the hot dog vending business for more than 30 years and has now created his own unique recipe to make the “perfect frank.”
“You can’t have a hot dog without the King. Once people try Louie’s All American Kosher Hot Dogs, they’ll know what a real hot dog should taste like,” said DiRaimondo. “Louie’s All American Kosher Hot Dogs are plump and juicy and have just the right bite to them.”
Louie’s All American Kosher Hot Dogs are currently available online at www.allamericanhotdog.com or at the All American Hot Dog Carts corporate offices, located at 292 NW 54 Street, Miami Florida. DiRaimondo plans to have his hot dogs in major grocery stores nationwide within the next six months.

Re:Costco's new dogs (djtomatoe)

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:12:29 GMT

well they got the newe dogs in a week or so ago, and they are pretty good,,,,not kosher.
they are a bit bigger that the kosher dogs they had before.