Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Living in New Jersey, I have access to quality hot dogs and hot dog joints that stay open past midnight. While I'll have low budget food now and then (frozen pizza for example) when it comes to hot dogs I like the good ones too much to have a 7-11 dog. Even when I'm lazy, it doesn't take too much effort to throw a few high quality natural casing franks into water. Then in the skillet. But I agree, 7-11's and gas station hot dogs have their place. What bothers me is when hot dog establishments open serving strictly hot dogs and decide to use a roller grill. These things are for movie theatres, gas stations, and convenience stores.

To illustrate the difference, try a hot dog from Nathan's in Coney Island or one of the better franchises. Like the one in the Menlo Park Mall in Edison, N.J. A natural casing dog is prepared on a hot griddle. Nice flavor, temperature and char. Now go and find a Nathan's at a rest stop that uses the skinless version prepared on a roller grill. Big difference. Uneven temperatures; either not hot enough or dried out from being on it too long. No char, no skin. The roller grill is made for skinless dogs only. But even the skinless Nathan's is better than what you usually get at convenience stores and gas stations.

There were two occasions where I had hot dogs at a 7-11. I was rushed, hadn't eaten, and really had no choice. The all beef Oscar Meyer dog was ok. Not great or even very good. But not as bad as I had anticipated. And cheap.

None of these chains use a special recipe dog. In fact I've found that the vast majority of times a regular hot dog joint claims a special recipe dog, they are not being truthful.

Hi I realize this is pretty late in the game to post but esmesbell mentioned the Cheerios smell in Buffalo, NY. It's from the General Mills Plant on the canal. They alternate between Cheerios and Coco Puffs.

Sonic Banana Milkshake. Nothing better!

With chronic low blood pressure, fast food has helped my health more than hurt it. I think of myself as a fast food fry expert. Top of my list are Steak n' Shake's, and fresh, hot McD's fries.

I've always been a sucker for McDonalds french fries...and just french fries in general. Usually accompanied by a burger and a chocolate shake. :P

Fries. Dunno why, I've had good non-fast food fries, but there's just something about them.

Curly fries from Arby's. I could eat a whole medium order of those.

The "Back Alley Burger," a cheeseburger with ham, bacon and BBQ sauce from my fav local street meat cart Mr. V's!

Shake Shack double cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake mmmmm

Five Guys Hamburger with the works....

Chicken nuggets of course.

Dairy Queen's Chicken Strip Basket--fries, buttered Texas toast, breaded chicken fingers and gravy...just typing it makes my heart hurt from all the calories.