America’s Best Hot Dogs (Updated 2021)

These are the 11 best hot dog brands in America according to taste, quality and legacy.

Honorable Mention: Uncle Giuseppe’s snappy and tasty hot dogs at their stores in Long Island, NY.

Here are America’s Top 11!

11. Pearl– This brand was founded in Massachusetts in 1947. The juicy thick all beef Franks are sold at Wahlburgers Restaurant locations.

10. Boar’s Head– Founded in 1905 in Brooklyn. Their snappy all beef Franks are made from the left over trimmings of their premium beef cold cuts.

9. Farmer John’s – This California brand’s naturally smoked Franks are found at many West Coast sports arenas. They manufacture the pork/beef Dodger Dogs at Dodgers Stadium.

8. Winter’s L-901 Detroit Coney Wieners– These juicy beef and pork Franks with sheep casing have been a staple in Michigan known for supplying to Lafayette Coney Island along with mind blowing Coney Sauce.

7. Hoffy– These Hollywood Natural Casing Beef Franks supply their products to the legendary Pinks Hot Dogs which opened in LA back in 1939.

6. Hebrew National– Grandma’s favorite all beef Kosher Style Frank. The company opened on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1905.

5. Hofmann– Started as a late 19th century retail store. By 1934 they started producing their snappy German franks popular in the Syracuse, New York region.

4. Nathan’s Famous– In 1916 Nathan Handwerker left his job at Feltman’s Restaurant in Coney Island to sell a garlicky version of Charles Feltman’s original 10c hot dog invention. The cheaper 5c hot dogs sold by Nathan’s stand were initially made by a mass producing company called Swift before using Hygrade Food hot dogs for decades (now known as Ball Park Franks). Nathan’s Famous has really extended it’s reach thanks to a licensing deal with the Chinese owned Smithfield/John Morrell. The WH Group (formally Shanghui International) based in Luohe, Henan, China through Smithfield now manufactures, markets and sells Nathan’s Famous branded hot dogs.

3. Vienna Beef– In 1893 during the Columbian Exposition World’s Fair the hot dog finally arrived in Chicago a mere 26 years after Charles Feltman invented it at Coney Island. Austrian immigrants Emil Reichel and Samuel Ladany used the Austrian Vienna Sausage instead of Feltman’s Frankfurter. Vienna Beef was born and so was the Chicago hot dog. No more using onions, mustard and sauerkraut which was popular back east at Feltman’s Restaurant. This Vienna Sausage needed celery salt and pickles and ooops! Ketchup!  Vienna Beef still sells their mild and thin all beef frankfurters.

2. Thumann’s –  The hot dog may have been invented at Coney Island, NY but New Jersey is it’s capital. Thumann’s makes a quality beef/ pork frank that’s sold to be deep fried at perennial favorite N.J. hot dog stand Rutt’s Hut where the relish really makes the dog!

The Bestest Hot Dog in America!

#1 Feltman’s of Coney Island

World’s First Hot Dog:

In 1867 German Immigrant Charles Feltman changed American cuisine and culture forever when he invented the hot dog from a pie wagon at Coney Island, New York. Post Civil War America went wild with Feltman’s invention which was originally called the Coney Island Red Hot. He sold 3,684 red hots that first year. By 1871 Feltman’s eating and entertainment complex in Coney Island was the largest restaurant in the world!

Today Feltman’s of Coney Island is the only U.S. Veteran owned and exclusively Brooklyn owned hot dog brand! It’s the most American story in hot dog history!

The Feltman’s hot dog is made from select lean cuts of top round beef naturally smoked in lamb casing (no hydrolyzed corn protein). They have a well balanced Old World flavorful spice blend. Not garlicky or greasy just perfect and juicy with that one of a kind snap! They have to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. Feltman’s hot dogs are safe for children to eat as they are uncured with no nitrates added. What also separates Feltman’s from the pack is that they come in full one pound packs (see below). Always check weight of hot dog packs you purchase. Under “one pound” pack you’re being ripped off!

Feltman’s bottled mustard is mixed with healthy apple cider vinegar. Feltman’s is certainly the most sought after hot dog in history! They are found in northeast supermarkets like Kings, Stop & Shop. All Publix supermarkets in Florida and the Southeast. New England’s Hannaford Stores. D’Agostino and Gristedes in Manhattan. The Fresh Market on the East Coast. In California at Bristol Farms, Nugget and Raley’s. The best way to buy these historic Franks is to click online at FeltmansofConeyIsland.com 

Feltman’s is the official hot dog of the NHL’s Florida Panthers!

Feltman’s Hot Dogs are also sold(nation wide) at Whole Foods Markets!