If I even think about a hot dog, I’ve got to have one in the next few days. Same with Fried Chicken, but when a plump hot dog dressed with mustard, onions and chili enters the mental picture, it’s all over. Get me a dog!
There are only a few really good places to get hot dogs in Charlottesville – Jack N Jill and Dairy Queen come to mind, but since it was Labor Day Weekend, I figured I’d have to rustle up some myself. I went to Food Lion and scoured the hot dog section. I like Nathans, but Nancy prefers Ball Park Franks and they offered a variety. One caught my eye and I had never seen them before – Ball Park Grillmasters Hearty Beef Franks. These are all beef and bun sized, but much larger and thicker than a regular frank. There were just 5 to a package which is perfect for us because as large as they were, one dog would take the place of two – which also meant only one bun and less carbs.
I bought them and pan grilled them with a whisper of olive oil, till they had browned a bit on all sides. They were scrumptious.
I also noted on the package that they were uncured. Ordinary cured hot dogs use synthetic chemical preservatives like sodium nitrite, while uncured hot dogs use natural plant-based sources like celery powder or celery juice. So, these Grillmasters are not only big and fat and delicious – they are healthier.
If you’re a “dog man” like me, try a pack of these Ball Park Grillmasters Hearty Beef and Uncured Franks – and move over Nathan’s.
