Hot dogs
the curb and give these winning wieners a chance.
German Sausage Co.
A classic German wiener made with beef and veal, German Sausage Co.’s is a lightly seasoned specimen with a very fine, almost creamy grind. Long and delicate, its thin skin sports a gorgeous, papery snap.
Buy: $6.95 a pound at German Sausage Co., 4900 E. Indian School Dr., Phoenix. 602-840-6032, germansausage az.com. Also, $8.65 a pound at Best of Europe Meats & Deli, 3202 E. Greenway Road, Phoenix. 602-493-1973, bestofeuropedeli.com.
The Meat Shop
Here, we’ll make an exception to the natural casing rule. The Meat Shop has only just recently started to experiment with hot dogs, and their early prototypes — now available to the public — are thick, meaty paprika bombs in a beef collagen casing with a very coarse grind that are best on the grill.
Buy: $10.49 a pound at The Meat Shop, 202 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix. 602-2585075, themeatshopaz.com.
Olympia Provisions
It’s tough to name a favorite in this varied field, but force me to pick and I might go with this one. Olympia Provisions, out of Portland, Ore., makes an outstanding pork dog with a firm, crisp snap that explodes with garlicky juice. They’re dynamite when simmered and twice as good off the grill.
Buy: $9.99 for a 12-ounce package at Arcadia Premium, 5618 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. 602-464-9000, arcadiapremium.com.
Sabrett
Forget the skinless version you’ll find elsewhere around town. Romanelli’s Italian Deli, of all places, carries this skinny New York classic that has a good balance of garlic, black pepper and paprika in both bun-sized and comically long lengths. Skinny and crisp, they’re snappy off the grill and even better prepared in water.
Buy: $10.99 a pound at Romanelli’s Italian Deli, 3437 W. Dunlap Road, Phoenix. 602-249-9030, romanellisitaliandeli.com.
Schreiner’s Wiener
A culinary institution in the Valley, Schreiner’s needs no introduction. Though the skin’s a little tough, this porkand-beef mix is lightly seasoned, hickory-smoked and does well prepared on the grill.
Buy: $6.98 a pound at Schreiner’s Fine Sausage, 3601 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-265-2939, schreinerssausage.com.
Schreiner’s NY Beef Wiener
Schreiner’s also produces an all-beef dog, dense and robust and a little sweeter (and redder) than its cousin.
Buy: $6.98 a pound at Schreiner’s Fine Sausage, 3601 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-265-2939, schreinerssausage.com.
Stan’s European Deli
Stan’s signature sausage may be the Polish, and the shop may be crammed with all manner of meaty European delights, but its standard hot dog is mighty fine. It’s a thick, coarse grind with good balance and strong flavor. For best flavor, opt for the grill rather than the water.
Buy: $8 a pound at Stan’s European Deli, 1712 W. Bell Road, Phoenix. 602-2758788, facebook.com/StansEuropeanDeli.
Tender Belly
The skin’s on the chewy side, but these applewood-smoked franks out of Denver are made with Berkshire pork, coarsely ground and gorgeously seasoned. Good in water, but best off the grill.
Buy: $7.99 for a 12-ounce package at Arcadia Premium, 5618 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. 602-464-9000, arcadiapremium.com.
Usinger’s