Top dog (Photo 3 of 17) - Pictures

THE WINNER: Bar S Beef Jumbo Franks (8 links/16 oz./$3.79 at Foodmaster); comments . . . “Can a hot dog flavor be ‘complex’?” “Favorite.” “Lotta flavor.”

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THE RUNNER-UP: Niman Ranch Fearless Uncured Beef Franks (4 links/11 oz./$4.99 at Whole Foods); comments . . . “Great.” “Meaty.” “Cloves.” “My favorite.”

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Applegate The Great Organic Original (Beef Hot Dog 7 links/12 oz./$4.99 at Trader Joe’s); comments . . . “Hearty.” “Rubbery.” “Doesn’t really taste like a hot dog.” Applegate The Great Organic Original (Beef Hot Dog 7 links/12 oz./$4.99 at Trader Joe’s); comments . . . “Hearty.” “Rubbery.” “Doesn’t really taste like a hot dog.”

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Ball Park Beef Franks (8 links/16 oz./$5.99 at Roche Bros.); comments . . . “Soft and mushy. Not in a good way.”

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Coleman Natural Uncured Beef Hot Dog (8 links/16 oz./$4.99 at Market Basket); comments . . . “Unremarkable.” “A little greasy.” “Good flavor.”

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Dietz & Watson New York Brand Beef Franks (8 links/16 oz./$6.49 at Roche Bros.); comments . . . “Bland.” “Not too salty.” “Sort of enjoyed it.” “A hint of cooked beans.”

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Hatfield Beef Franks (8 links/16 oz./$2.79 at Market Basket); comments . . . “Maple.” “Molasses.” “The salt overpowers.”

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Hebrew National Beef Franks (7 links/12 oz./$5.29 at Stop & Shop); comments . . . “Bland bland bland.” “Wish there were more to it.” “Very skinny dogs.”

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Kayem Fenway Franks Beef (8 links/16 oz./$5.59 at Roche Bros.); comments . . . “Juicy.” “Robust, classic.” “Beefy.” “Good and chewy.”

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Market Basket Beef Franks (10 links/16 oz./$2.19 at Market Basket); comments . . . “Salty aftertaste.” “Middle of the ‘pack.’ Get it?”

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6/21/12 Boston, MA Nathan's Famous Beef Franks in the studio on Thursday June 21, 2012. (Matthew J. Lee) slug: 0722hotdog section: living reporter: Althoff

Nathan’s Famous Angus Beef Franks (7 links/14 oz./$5.99 at Roche Bros.); comments . . . “Good flavor but too salty.” “Great salty taste.” “Nice.”

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6/21/12 Boston, MA Nature's Rancher Uncured Beef Hot Dogs in the studio on Thursday June 21, 2012. (Matthew J. Lee) slug: 0722hotdog section: living reporter: Althoff

Nature’s Rancher Uncured Beef Hot Dogs (8 links/16 oz./$5.99 at Whole Foods); comments . . . “Classic.” “A little bland.” “Maple.” “Bit of spice.”

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6/21/12 Boston, MA Old Neighborhood Quality Foods Beef Franks in the studio on Thursday June 21, 2012. (Matthew J. Lee) slug: 0722hotdog section: living reporter: Althoff

Old Neighborhood Beef Franks (8 links/16 oz./$2.29 at Market Basket); comments . . . “Unmemorable.” “Solid.” “Decent.”

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Oscar Mayer Classic Beef Franks (10 links/ 16 oz./$5.39 at Stop & Shop); comments . . . “Flabby.” “Mushy . . . somehow appealingly so.” “High on taste.”

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Pearl Original Kountry Klub Beef Frankfurters (6 links/12 oz./$3.69 at Market Basket); comments . . . “Texture is good.” “Smoky.” “Boring.”

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Stop & Shop Beef Franks (8 links/16 oz./$3.89 at Stop & Shop); comments . . . “Good texture.” “Mediocre.” “Chewy in a good way.”

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Trader Joe’s Uncured All Beef Hot Dogs (8 links/16 oz./$4.49 at Trader Joe’s); comments . . . “Maple.” “Meaty.” “Seven out of 10.”

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