Rachael Ray and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (yuppicide)

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:22:05 GMT

Rachel Ray's magazine is cookie cutter. They tame it down and cut out a lot of good stuff that Serious Eats might have wanted in there. They don't really want to put a hot dog brand you can only get in a certain area of the country. They want something that can mass appeal to everyone and everyone can try to duplicate at home.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (sk bob)

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:45:02 GMT

what a total waste this is

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (mar52)

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:15:25 GMT

Rachael must not have read my report. If you "only" go to Pink's then Pink's wins. There are many other west coast contenders that probably got passed over by not even being visited.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (BuddyRoadhouse)

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 03:39:31 GMT

Jim, I'm with you 100% on that one. Gene & Jude's may represent a classic era and style of hot dog, but there is no way they even come close to what Doug Sohn is doing at his place. I know you've eaten at both places (I was there with you at G&J's) so, at least you know from whence you speak.

Also, although I haven't eaten at either your cart or at Pink's, I'm well familiar with your respective reputations and I gotta say dude, you got burned!

When you see a ranking system like this without any specific explanation as to why certain places come out on top over others, the validity of said ranking comes into serious question.

Buddy

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (biker jim)

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:28:03 GMT

This is where I piss off a couple of people. Gene and Jude's over Hot Dougs? Really?

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (John Fox)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:51:43 GMT

The results are on Rachel Ray's site.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (Holly Moore)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:49:43 GMT

John, I like Flo's dog when properly attired in mayonnaise and barbecue sauce - maybe twice a year - once on my way into Maine and once returning home - Jimmy Buff's or Papaya King - I could do a few times a week. Am rooting for Flo's as I root for the underdog.

Like that every hot dog is getting its day - but the bracket thing is totally contrived. Wish I had thought of it. Maybe not.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (Greymo)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:41:42 GMT

I have eaten at only four of the places and really enjoyed three. The one hot dog that stands out in my mind as being quite dreadful is Flo's. I tried it twice just to be sure that it was not a hot dog that I would ever rave about!

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (John Fox)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:28:35 GMT

I saw the brackets. I would agree that Gene & Jude's is a good choice for the Midwest. As I mentioned in the comments section, I would prefer that they do a listing of brands or sources of hot dogs. Many small producers such as pork stores and butcher shops make dogs that are hard to find or even non existant at hot dog restaurants. The Romanian Kosher Sausage Company is a deli that makes a kosher beef dog that in my opinion is better than Vienna Beef. But you can't find it at a hot dog stand. Wimmers out of Nebraska makes one of the better German style franks in the country. Usinger makes one of the best beef dogs. A place that serves one of their franks and prepares it properly should be included on this list. I would rate it higher than any dog in the Midwest Region.

As for the East, Nicky & Pete's over Ted's?! Flo's over not only Jimmy Buff's but Papaya King also?!!! I know they are different styles but the frank at Flo's has to be one of the blandest I've ever had. And steaming does nothing for a mild pork based dog. Flo's makes Hot Dog Johnny's look like a quality dog. Both are highly overrated. But, hey, who I am I to argue with anyone's subjective opinion? I enjoyed this competition and like the bracket style. Wondering why the results haven't been posted at Serious Eats.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (buffetbuster)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:39:54 GMT

I have sentimental feelings for Ann's Dairy Creme in Glen Burnie, MD, because it was my mother's hang out as a teenager. But they are under different management and are not nearly as good as they used to be.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (Holly Moore)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:22:19 GMT

The bracket through the divisional playoffs. So exciting. So many upsets. Go Flo's.

http://hostedmedia.reiman...yLiving/travel/MM6.pdf

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (eruby)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:42:53 GMT

Lafayette Coney Island but not American Coney Island from Detroit?

And NOTHING from Pennsylvania? Hmmmmm.

Not a big fan of Ben's Chili Bowl (D.C.), and Ann's Dari-Creme (Glen Burnie, MD.) is typically two hot dogs on a sub roll. Perhaps Chubby's (Emmitsburg, MD) and Vienna Inn (Vienna Va.) could have been a play-in game. Or The Original vs. The Pickle Barrel (Pittsburgh).

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (Twinwillow)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:06:48 GMT

IMPO, only the "East" is a contender.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (Davwud)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:57:31 GMT

Birdhunter

If these places don't have home make sauce they shouldn't be allow to enter, also a hot dog is only a hot dog if it's a natural casing dog.
I from Wisconsin and travel around the country side every year on my motorcycle and have had some very good coney dogs and a lot of bad dogs.
I look for small town Drive-Inn's and I don't ride the I system. I have been to a few on this list that wouldn't be there if it was my choice.

I disagree somewhat and totally on the natural casing issue. I've had some really good dogs that didn't have them. I'd prefer a good tasting dog with no case than a terrible tasting one with a case.

All in all, I say taste trumps all. If it doesn't taste good, it doesn't matter whether or not it has a case, American cheese, home made sauce or what.

DT

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (1bbqboy)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:59:57 GMT

wouldn't this have been more interesting in a month, when the NCAA tournament is eminent?

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (John Fox)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:42:12 GMT

I love Usinger's (Wisconsin) natural casing angus beef dogs. A place that properly prepares one is definitely deserving to be on the list as Usinger's makes in my opinion one of the best beef hot dogs. Certainly better than the dog served at Pinks. To me the actual frank and it's preparation is more important than any homemade sauce. I wouldn't put a good chili on a Usinger's.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (Birdhunter)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:36:20 GMT

If these places don't have home make sauce they shouldn't be allow to enter, also a hot dog is only a hot dog if it's a natural casing dog.
I from Wisconsin and travel around the country side every year on my motorcycle and have had some very good coney dogs and a lot of bad dogs.
I look for small town Drive-Inn's and I don't ride the I system. I have been to a few on this list that wouldn't be there if it was my choice.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (joerogo)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:02:58 GMT

Tony Bad

kishkaeater

Washington D.C. is in the South?

According to Mason and Dixon it is!

Friends of yours?

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (Tony Bad)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:03:08 GMT

kishkaeater

Washington D.C. is in the South?

According to Mason and Dixon it is!

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (Davwud)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:58:39 GMT

Skyline?? Seriously??
I love 'em and have 'em every time through Cinci but it's not to be judged against the big boys.

I thought the Detroiters preferred American Coney Island over Laffayette.

DT

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (John Fox)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:32:50 GMT

It's tough to do a list like this because there are so many places that serve great hot dogs. And a lot of them fly under the radar. An example is the Rahway Grill that is actually a luncheonette serving hot dogs rather than a hot dog joint. Their dogs are better than the great majority on this list.

Also the fact that there are different styles of hot dogs should be taken into consideration. Comparing a spicy beef dog from Papaya King to a milder pork based deep fried dog from Rutts Hut is like comparing apples and oranges. See the main article as well as the regional articles. I've posted in more detail there.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (tiki)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:21:29 GMT

Well--Virginia is in the south--and its acroos the street from DC!

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (MiamiDon)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:54:48 GMT

kishkaeater

Washington D.C. is in the South?

Yes

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (BuddyRoadhouse)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:23:55 GMT

If Hot Doug's doesn't at least win the Midwest Region, you'll know the fix was in.

Congrat's to Roadfood's very own Biker Jim for taking a top spot in the Western Region.

Maybe next year, if they do French Fries, they'll give Roadfood's guspas and his "Wiener And Still Champion" a Midwest bracket.

Buddy

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (Holly Moore)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:37:53 GMT

Joe, don't forget http://www.hollyeats.com/HotDogPage.htm

Actually, Hawk Krall knows his hot dogs - he's eaten a bunch all over the US and does great drawings of them for Serious Eats. http://hawkkrall.blogspot.com/

From what I gather, this list was put together by committee - never a good thing. I'm willing to bet Charlie's Pool Room would have made the cut if it were totally up to Hawk. It would definitely make my top ten if I did top tens.

There were some places on the list I didn't know and now have to try.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (joerogo)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:14:23 GMT

Hey Holly, I am sure you will agree, that we can't take any list serious that omits Charlie's Pool Room

To me, this list reeks of pure laziness. Looks like a combination of this site, hot Dog Paradise and a couple other TV shows. Same old, same old.

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (kishkaeater)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:36:34 GMT

Washington D.C. is in the South?

Re:Rachael and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (leethebard)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:29:43 GMT

Where's Max's or the Windmills in NJ?????

Rachael Ray and Serious Eats Search for the Best Hot Dog in the US (Holly Moore)

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:25:37 GMT

OK, the tournament bracketing is a weird approach, some of the pairings are rather curious, and the omissions are glaring, but as Johnny Carson used to say, "Buy the premise, buy the bit..." All things considered, a decent list and looks like I've got some more hot dog eating in my future.

http://www.seriouseats.co...cket-and-our-part.html

Edited to correct title.