Skip Hebrew National: Costco Shoppers Swear By These Kirkland Hot Dogs Instead

Done right, a hot dog is a sublime thing: a food greater than the mere idea of a wiener on a bun. After all, how else would we have come up with the two-ingredient stuffed "glizzburger" hot dog if we didn't love our franks? Worthy hot dogs, however, can be hard to find. That's why we're so enamored of Costco's very own Kirkland Signature Beef Dinner Franks, which come in a pack of 14 dogs and weigh a quarter pound apiece. Some shoppers are loyal to Hebrew National — and we can't blame them, because H.N. makes some fine franks — but, (quarter) pound for (quarter) pound, many also argue that you just can't beat Kirkland Signature.

Costco customers have wonderful things to say about these hot dogs, too. To wit: "We are a very picky family about hot dogs," wrote one customer on the product page. "Generally we ONLY like the old fashioned kind in natural casings. But we all love these hotdogs!" Another happy buyer gushed, "These are seriously the best hot dogs in the world. We use them as sausages and pizza toppings too. I highly recommend cooking in the air fryer." Elsewhere on Costco's review page, one customer was eager to throw superlatives around: "Best beef hot dog I have ever tasted! Better than Nathans, Ball Park, and so many others that claim to be the best tasting!"

Best of all, you need not wonder whether you will actually enjoy these hot dogs or not. You know the Costco hot dog combo, which, after all these years, is still so cheap at $1.50? It says so right on the package: these are the hot dogs served in Costco's food courts.

If you know how many hot dogs Costco sells every year, then you understand that wieners are serious business for your favorite warehouse retailer. According to previous reports, Costco food courts used to dish up Hebrew National hot dogs. Some time around the zenith of the Great Recession, however, Costco sought to simplify its supply chain and cut costs on its hot dog combo, part of an effort to keep its same low price. The answer was to make its own hot dogs. The Kirkland Signature franks aren't kosher like Hebrew National, but, on the other hand, they are weightier than their predecessors. Some reviews mention that, in fact, they are too big for a standard hot dog bun.

As of this writing, the Costco hot dogs are out of stock at some warehouses, at least in terms of being able to buy a 14-pack and take them home to make yourself. We think that they are worth a little effort to hunt down, however. According to self-proclaimed current and former Costco food court employees on Reddit, Costco heats its hot dogs in warm water until they come to temp. Nothing is stopping you, however, from grilling these pups, frying 'em up, or even air frying them, as some reviews recommend. Heck, you can even cut them up and put them in baked beans! The sky's the limit when Costco's famous hot dogs are in your fridge.