Your Opinion: Regular vs. Kosher Hot Dogs?
All the Summertime and Camping talk lately had me thinking about The Almighty American Hot Dog.
One of my fussiest food issues is with American Hot Dogs and Bologna. Nevermind all the stories about what they're made of; I really just don't like'em.
I wasn't allowed to eat bologna or traditional hot dogs growing up because my father called them "evil". I did: however praise the food-lords for European Wieners. Entirely different taste, and without the myths, stories, or emotional baggage I guess. Plus they came in a can: pretty cool.
ANYWAY
I've noticed the new Hebrew National Commercial and found their marketing quite clever. kosher difference, no iffs ands or BUTTS, etc.
I'm not kosher-exclusive or anything to that extent, but does this mean this hot dog is made of, like, real meat? Is this just marketing?
I'm interested on all of your thoughts on this because perhaps (just MAYBE) I'd be willing to consider trying such a thing.
tia :D hungrychristel
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
20 Comments:
Kosher hot dogs are all beef. The "no butts" part of it is because beef from back of the cow isn't kosher. I've never had a non kosher hot dog, so I can't compare, but I know a bunch of people who have had both and prefer the kosher.
NYCEater at 1:01PM on 07/23/09
I rarely eat hot dogs, but when I do, I reach for the Hebrew National premiums...somehow I've got myself convinced that if they're answering to a "higher power", they won't put as much crap into them. But I've been a sucker for lesser things.
juliebugsmama at 1:20PM on 07/23/09
If you think too hard about it, there may be kosher parts that you think are icky, too. But it's like me with raisins and anchovies. I never want to run into a whole one, but I'm perfectly fine with mole and Caesar salad. Kosher food rules are pretty strict, so if that gives you comfort, give them a try.
As far as taste, I have some hot dog preferences, but I don't think it's a world of difference to the point where I'd eat one and refuse another. No matter how you look at it, hot dogs are sort of a junk food.
dbcurrie at 1:57PM on 07/23/09
Sinai Kosher used to be the best Kosher one, but they are gone. Hebrew National has slid since Purchased by Con Agra, no fresh garlic. For Beef give me a natural casing Vienna with fresh garlic. I haven't seen a Pork and Beef hot dog for years, but Daisy Brand in Chicago had a beautiful natural casing dog. the All meat (primarilly chicken products) are horrible.
It all depends on the maker of the dogs.
In Chicago there is a Polish Grocery and meat company that makes some really good kielbassa and sausages, Bobaks. They are traditional Polish sausage products and may give you that European taste.
All hot dogs are made with real meat, if they are beef or pork and beef. Chicken and turkey are a different matter as that meat is salvaged by grinding the body after all of the larger cuts (breast, wings and legs are removed. Natural casings are made from intestines, but skinless are cooked in a cellulose tube which is stripped off before packaging. there is a good film on hot dog making on the site in the video section here.
Meat guy at 2:19PM on 07/23/09
Thanks again eaters!
ooooh @ meat guy awesome info
[heres that video] - wowza.
I'm a really big fan of Freybe Products; their euro-weiners and landjegers are just like I remember them in Germany.
@dbcurrie - Totoally in agreeance regarding junk food. People just find it so odd when I go camping with them: that I don't eat them. I want to fit in without being disgusted!!!! haha
@julie - yes, that's a safe assumption. Kosher foods do have strict guidelines; if I dare try it mind as well be the Hebrew Nationals.
hungrychristel at 2:38PM on 07/23/09
I absolutely LOVE Hebrew National Hot Dogs. To date, they are the only Kosher ones I have eaten so they are the only basis for my comparison to non-Kosher hot dogs. They taste incredible, garlicky and meaty.
Non-Kosher hot dogs are garbage I won't even feed my dog. Kosher laws are incredibly tough and as far as I'm concerned, that's a benchmark set pretty high. The Non-Kosher dogs I have tried taste like styrofoam, a substance in which I do not need to up my intake.
Whenever I grill dogs or need hot dogs for something, Kosher or nothing.
therealchiffonade at 3:46PM on 07/23/09
Not sure what the problem is...up here in Waldbaum land they no longer stock the Hebrew National with their other certified Kosher goods. Is there a question of their Kosher authenticity?
bessfour at 4:06PM on 07/23/09
I love Hebrew National hot dogs. I also love Nathan"s hot dogs(I think they are all beef but not kosher ?? Not sure) BUT I can not eat an Oscar Mayer
or any other type of weiner that does not snap when I bite into it Sabray (sp) YUM
stacemace at 4:38PM on 07/23/09
Some Jews use standards that are stricter than Hebrew National's. Not to say that Hebrew National hot dogs are not kosher. They are. It's just that there are other brands that follow additional stringencies and many stores prefer to stock items that would appeal to a broader market. So, yes, Hebrew National is kosher. But other brands are "glatt" kosher. Hope this doesn't confuse ya.
SavtaShayna at 4:39PM on 07/23/09
I agree Hebrew National has declined (although never a "great" dog).
The Hebrew National 98% fat free is an impressive product. I think they use a large amount of gelatin to give it a unctuous feel when heated. They MUST be fully heated or else they have a pebbly texture from the unmelted gelatin.
If eating a full fat hot dog, I'd vote Nathan's natural casing the best nationally available hotdog. Of course there are small local brands that are better.
peekpoke at 1:08AM on 07/24/09
My hands down favorite is Nathan's, but I have no idea if they are kosher. There's something about the blend of seasonings that is really robust. There is no competition betweeen a Nathan's dog and say, Ballpark or Oscar Mayer, seriously.
As for the HN, they are pretty good. I had to buy them once or twice bc Costco stopped carrying the Nathan's. Now, Costco has their own brand of hotdogs and polish sausages which are really good. Made from USDA choice beef and I think they are kosher, too. (can't remember for sure)
wookie at 2:04AM on 07/24/09
Nathans does make a limited amount of Kosher Dogs, but I believe they are either for export or certain restricted market areas.
Kosher is not always a sign of ultimate quality, i have had some Kosher dogs which were rancid due to the effect of the koshering process on the fat. The salting is pretty hard on the fat if the meat sits overnight.
I'll agree the the majority of Meat hot dogs are not fit to eat, If it has chicken or turkey as the first ingredient, don't even bother buying them, you will be disappointed. But there are a lot of excellent products out there that are made very well. Chicago's Vienna and Red Hot Chicago are good all beef dogs, Nathans is good, and I recently had some very good pork and beef natural casing dogs made by Sabrette.
A lot of people rave about the "natural beef" hot dogs, but I have yet to find one that tastes good, I developed a few for some companies, and I could not tolerate the celery flavor, it just doesn't belong in a hot dog.
Meat guy at 8:52AM on 07/24/09
have a Smart Dog and you won't need to worry about any butts whatsoever...
MadelynRodriguez at 10:54AM on 07/24/09
Why is the smart dog listed as a junk food in this link? must be the flavor, they don't taste like any real hot dogs. Meat hot dogs have always been considered Real Food.
But seriously, if vegan and vegetanarianism is so important and meat so bad, why are there so many meat analogue products with meat sounding names? Boca Burger, Smart dogs, it really makes no sense to me.
Meat guy at 2:28PM on 07/24/09
@ Meat Guy: Canadian regulations are pretty strict in regards to "simulated meats" as they're main priority is not to decieve the end consumer.
The term "simulated" must be included as part of the common name of these simulated products. The applicable phrase "contains no meat" or "contains no poultry" is also required on the principal display panel of the label, in close proximity to the common name and in letters of at least the same size and prominence as those used for the remainder of the common name of the product.
I tend to be concerned about the same thing. I think if I buy a smart dog or whatever when I go camping I just want to fit in. So I'll pretend its a regular hot dog. don't get me wrong...I like my steaks cold-rare...it's just the dogs themself that shun my appetite!
hungrychristel at 4:12PM on 07/24/09
Hot dogs are a matter of personal taste, and what you grew up with. Hebrew National are very good, but so are Nathan's, Sabrett, and Thumann's. Several of my local butchers make their own hot dogs and knockwursts, both natural casing and skinless. Homemade is always better, plus you can ask what's in 'em.
I don't care for Oscar Meyer, Armour, Ball Park franks, etc., but, that's just my taste.
salpico at 6:03PM on 07/24/09
Many years ago I had the opportunity to tour the Hebrew National factory when it was still in Queens, New York. I had always heard that if you saw hot dogs being made you'd never want to eat them again. Was I surprised! The cuts of beef they were using looked like the best ones I would see in the supermarket meat section. The plant was clean and bright. That was a long time ago and they have since moved out of New York but I would assume that they still operate to the same standard.
TresChienChaud at 10:05PM on 07/24/09
@Tres, I think the comment about watching hot dogs being made has less to do with the meat products and more about what it looks like as it's being forced into the casing. I make my own sausages using meat I've ground myself, and the sight of the casings getting filled is still a little weird.
dbcurrie at 10:14PM on 07/24/09
I never understood this obsession with the "best cuts of meat" being used. What's wrong with using snouts, tails, hearts and tongue, and other random parts in sausages? They are not rotten or off, just less popular, and often have fantastic flavor.
My favorite spicy sausages use beef hearts as one of the primary ingredients, lends a great taste and texture to the sausages.
peekpoke at 9:05PM on 07/27/09
@peekpoke "What's wrong with using snouts, tails, hearts and tongue, and other random parts in sausages?"
Personally; absolutely nothing. I agree they're nutritous and flavourfull...That isn't what concerns me. Maybe I wasn't clear.
Here's a story.
My father's longtime friend worked for a hot dog and bologna manufacturer among other things (I will not mention corporate names) and he said it was common knowledge, at the end of th evening, to shovel all remaining scraps (and whatever else ie - garbage, worker "spit horks") that ends up on the floor into the "bologna and hot dog" pile.
Here I am saying: "Oh papa, you're just being paranoid--its just an old wives tale!" as I would assume this was regulated to prevent such things from happening-- his response was that their regulations INCLUDE this process, as apparently the "product pile" is "sanitized" before packaging. AND saves on cost hahaha...I don't have scientific evidence this story is true: but when in doubt, leave it out!
hungrychristel at 1:08PM on 07/29/09