4 Gourmet Hot Dog Brands That Are Better Than A Costco Glizzy

The Costco hot dog is perhaps the store's best food court item. They're so good that Costco even sells them by themselves, as the nearly 4 pound pack of Kirkland Signature Beef Dinner Franks available at most stores are the same ones featured in the food court's $1.50 hot dog combo. But although it's possible to recreate the combo at home, there are even better hot dogs with more gourmet origins.

The hot dogs on this list range in composition from 100% beef to blends including pork, two types of wagyu, and one with duck fat. One commonality they share is an appearance and texture similar to the classic hot dog feel, albeit packed with more flavor than most of the competition.

Some of these hot dogs are further set apart by following family recipes that date back generations, while others are newer arrivals that have made a quick impact. Regardless, all of them bring more flavor to bear than the venerable Costco hot dog, and most of them are easily purchased online or in-store.

Boar's Head is more than just dozens of deli meats and cheeses. This ubiquitous Brooklyn brand also makes a number of sausages and other meat products, including these uncured beef frankfurters which are lowkey one of Boar's Head's best products. The two main ingredients are beef and water with assorted seasonings in a natural sheep casing.

I first bought this pack of hot dogs on a whim, unsure of much beyond their considerable length, but the flavor soon proved it a solid buy. They're rich with a beefy yet mild flavor, and the sheep casing provides a memorable snap, though it's admittedly closer to the feel of a bratwurst than your typical hot dog.

That snap discrepancy feels like a textural upgrade, as though these were a restaurant's version of the classic boardwalk meal. They definitely fit the bill for a hot dog, but Boar's Head Uncured Beef Frankfurters taste anything but typical.

As a city, Chicago is more closely tied to hot dogs than most. And if you've ever had a Chicago-style hot dog in the area, there is a good chance it was from Vienna Beef. And despite being a popular regional icon for generations, they're still made the gourmet way: In small batches from a long-kept secret recipe.

Like many first-timers, my first Vienna Beef natural casing hot dog came Chicago-style on a poppyseed bun with sweet relish, white onions, sliced tomato, sport peppers, celery salt, and a dill pickle spear. The iconic, beefy taste from this 100% beef frank shone through all those added flavors along with perhaps the best snap I've ever had on a hot dog.

These reasons are a big part of why Vienna Beef is one of the best hot dog brands, according to customers. It just tastes like a high-quality hot dog should thanks to the preservation of tradition. The exact recipe remains a company secret, but it is well-known that Vienna Beef packs each hot dog with 25% brisket and beef navel trimmings — rich and fatty cuts that form an essential part of this brand's signature appeal.

Snake River Farms is a premier supplier of mail-order meats delivering to both homes and businesses alike. It's perhaps best known for its wide selection of steaks, but these wagyu hot dogs are another formidable contender among the lineup. At $12 per 1-pound package of just 5 hot dogs, they're not cheap, but the flavor isn't either.

I enjoyed one of these hot dogs at a small dinner party charred over charcoal and served on a lightly toasted, undressed bun (I didn't want to drown the wagyu's flavor in mustard and onions). The smoky, extra-beefy taste was worth skipping condiments. If you aim to wow a casual guest, these hot dogs are an excellent choice, but pickier meat enthusiasts may be less impressed.

Chefs and butchers often cringe at ground wagyu in burgers and hot dogs since a big part of this luxury beef's appeal is its melt-in-your-mouth texture — a texture which is completely lost by grinding it up. These hot dogs are no exception, yet they do retain the rich beefiness of wagyu and a satisfying snap from the casing. For those who can look past the textural sacrifice, they are a must-try.

Duck Inn Dogs Original Chicago Style is a gem in a city swarming with good hot dogs. So many, in fact, that this is Chicago's second entry on this short list. Unlike that other local icon, Vienna Beef, these are a beef and pork blend elevated by added duck fat.

I saw the light of these exceptionally juicy hot dogs at The Duck Inn, the critically acclaimed Chicago restaurant that creates and serves them. The restaurant opened in 2014 and soon became known for its exquisite hot dogs. The duck fat lends a deep savoriness and soft, silky sweetness that's often missing from these types of sausages. It's a bite worth going out of your way for.

Unfortunately, you may have to go out of your way to buy them as well. They are available at some grocers and butchers, but only in the greater Chicago area. And while there are services that can deliver these hot dogs nationwide, they can be expensive (we're talking $100 for eight hot dogs). They are delicious, but you may want to save them for your next Chicago trip. And if you're using them for a Chicago-style hot dog, don't forget the celery salt.