We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Hot Dogs, and They All Said the Same Thing

The sizzle of a hot dog is one of the siren songs of summer, and when I hear it, I know I’m on my way to enjoying a delicious treat. My family keeps a pack of hot dogs in the fridge all summer long because it’s one of my 6-year-old’s favorite foods, and I know I can always count on a grilled dog to put a smile on her face. 

If we happen to have friends over, we can easily get a cookout going in no time — as long as we’ve got some hot dogs around. I love mixing dogs with local sausages we pick up at the farmers market so there’s something for everyone. The humble cookout staple is beloved by picky 6-year-olds and chefs alike. 

Curious to know if the professionals have a favorite national brand, I reached out to a few. Naturally, they had some pretty distinct opinions. But when it comes to the best hot dogs to throw on the grill, in the air fryer, or even griddle in butter, the chefs I talked to all named the same brand: Hebrew National.

“The undisputed champion of hot dogs is definitely Hebrew National,” says cookbook author and content creator Jason Goldstein aka Chop Happy. “They taste juicy, are perfectly beefy, and cook up amazing every time.” Although the chefs I spoke to enjoy flexing their creativity in the kitchen, they all say the hot dog isn’t the place to get fancy, preferring simple toppings that let the dog do its thing.

“I like it simple, with just mustard and kraut,” says Jarryd Baxter, former chef at La Medusa in Seattle. “When I’m not getting local sausages from our butcher, a perfect summer hot dog is a grilled Hebrew National. You gotta go all-beef and natural casing.” Goldstein was also a fan of the ingredient list, touting the lack of artificial flavors, byproducts, or fillers. He likes heating his hot dogs in the air fryer for 8 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

“My preference for a hot dog is more about the dog than the fillings,” says NoMad Chef Fred Maurer aka “Hot Dog Boyfriend” (a nickname he picked up from his time as Chef Charcutier at Dickson’s Farmstand Meats). “If I have to choose a national brand, I really love Hebrew National.” Maurer eschews the grill, which he says leads to a dried-out dog, in favor of a butter-griddled hot dog or a classic NYC-style dirty water dog.

Buy: Hebrew National Uncured Beef Franks, $8.69 for 6 hot dogs at Instacart

Do you agree with these chefs? Tell us about it in the comments below.