Thrill of the Grill: The best hot dogs. Photographs by Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff.

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  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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  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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  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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  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.”