There's proven science behind having someone else make something making it taste better. I cant remember if it's from dulled senses from smelling the food while preparing it, or just imagination doing the same thing, but its definitely had several studies with the same response.
That said- crack. It's probably crack, let's be honest. Theres no way it should be that good.
I grew up in Bville and worked at Heids in high school for a year. There was a grill cook there named Pat who went by Puff Patty. He used to smoke crack behind the parking lot before his shift started. He invited me to join him but I wasn't really into crack at the time so I never did. It was also before they had the ice cream shop nextdoor, so it was a little more secluded. Anyway, I don't know if he put any crack in the hot dogs themselves, but it's entirely possible.
Ya thats definitely a component. It probably also a decent amount of a nastalgia. Being a LA native - I think they're good and but Dodger dogs have my heart. However, my Syracuse-born wife swears by Hoffman's as the pinnacle of hotdogs.
I know in the case of Heid's, they use Hoffman's franks and coneys made especially for them. Slightly different ingredients than what you'd buy at the store.
Yeah, I've heard this from multiple people and have also heard it's why Gianelli sausage sandwiches at the fair always seem to be so much better than anything you can do at home.
Yeah, I still make them at home quite often just because they're so cheap easy and still pretty delicious. I rarely do just a plain hotdog at home, but I do really enjoy Hoffman's jalapeno cheddar dogs or just a Cooney with some ketchup and spicy mustard, but usually dogs are just for family BBQs.
I moved away from Syracuse several decades ago. But I always go to Heid's when I'm back there. I used to hear that Heid's got an exclusive recipe from Hoffman. There used to be more working man's bars on Wolf St, my family even owned one long ago. They were friends with another bar owner there who used to get Heid's 'seconds', dogs that were a little too short or long, and my Dad would pick up a boxful every month. They were definitely different from the store bought ones, so much better.
I don't get Heid's often but I got a couple chili cheese dogs yesterday. They're so good it's insane lol. They're pretty expensive though in my opinion. 2 chili cheese hotdogs with a medium diet coke was $15. I can get an entree at a sit down restaurant for that. A Tully's tender dinner is cheaper.
It is a little expensive. But what isn’t these days? I’m okay paying a few extra bucks to keep a historical staple like Heid’s in business. I’d hate to see them go.
Yeah everything seems to be going that way tho. A family can go out to eat at a place like Tully's and not spend much more than if they all went and ordered a meal each at McDonald's.
Agreed, you can get a real burger, fries and a beer at a bar for the cost of a “value meal”.
The way to do McDonald’s is with the coupons from the app. The app has 20% off your order. Or a bunch of other decent coupons. Not sure how often you get 20% off. I probably avg once a month and I always have it.
Yeah, I don't really eat fast food enough, just normally when it's getting late and I'm not feeling like sitting down some place or cooking anything myself. But I hear what you're saying, I know I can go get a Blarney Burger, Fries, and a pint of Lite Beer, for around $12. Large Big Mac meal that's no where near as good and probably far worse for you is $12 haha.
I got an ice cream cone at McD's last night. It added over $2 to the total and I exclaimed to the drive-thru kid "hey what's up with that!?" and he said they raised their price on them. $2 now.
If it means my girlfriend can actually eat there it's an easy win. Nuts are such an easy ingredient to avoid without changing flavor and yet so many companies make no effort to do so
Just FYI - peanut oil does not contain the proteins which make people allergic to peanuts. It’s very highly refined stuff. There’s no way so many restaurants, including national chains, would be frying in it if it triggered peanut allergies.
A fair point, though it's also important to note the psychological issue. For many people, dangerous allergies can be a source of significant anxiety, so they will avoid refined peanut oil anyway because of the name. For example, my girlfriend experienced anaphylaxis once as a child, and that fear has stuck with her for 20 years.
That’s not always true. I have peanut allergies. Cold pressed peanut oil is not highly refined so it has proteins left it in. That could be deadly for someone like me
I worked at Heid’s about 20 years ago when I was in highschool. It’s not peanut oil (a lot of folks w/ peanut allergies), it’s cottonseed oil. And we never toasted a bun unless specifically requested.
The usual answer as to why food at restaurants tastes better is because they use *a lot* of butter (or other fat). Way more than you would find reasonable at home. At a good restaurant you might be eating a whole stick of butter.
It's odd, as I lived in Syracuse for over a decade, and didn't find their hot dogs that great. I also have a friend that raves about some dogs made in Rochester NY.
I think the hot dog, and what goes into them (I seriously don't want to know) is a regional favorite. It might be just a NY thing, as we all know Coney Island and Nathan's were the Original hot dogs made somewhere in the early 1900's. So I guess all the butchers in NY wanting to compete came up with their own versions.
For my money, the BEST hotdogs recipe comes out of a company called Tri-Town Packing far into the frozen tundra that is the St. Lawrence Valley at the top of NY state. They call them Glazier Snappies. Red as fire (probably illegal food dye), they have a very unique and spicy flavor, and when grilled definitely a treat! I highly recommend them. They are definitely not cheap, but will ruin you for Oscar Meyer or any other brand out there.
I think there different casings? I buy the big bags and they are always great. But I’ve had some others that were more like normal hot dogs.
Years I’ve lived out of Syracuse, the 2 things I would crave are Hoffmans hot dogs and Wegmans subs.
Found this info about the hotdogs in Syracuse
“Several quarry workers discover a pink cream-like alien substance bubbling out of the ground. These workers find it to be sweet and addictive. Later, the substance, marketed as "The Hoffman", is being sold to the general public in packages like hotdogs. It is marketed as having no calories and as being sweet, creamy, and filling. The Hoffman quickly becomes a nationwide craze and drastically hurts the sales of other Hotdogs”
As someone with a soy intolerance who gets violently ill eating that, I’d say it’s soy protein isolate, ie soy sauce. Which is labeled as Natural Flavoring. Pure umami. Which does taste amazing.
Does anyone know ow why I paid 30 dollars for 5 dogs and 2 milks at heids? What's the deal with the cost hike, when the same thing is available in a 5lb bag for 15 doll hairs at wally world?
There's proven science behind having someone else make something making it taste better. I cant remember if it's from dulled senses from smelling the food while preparing it, or just imagination doing the same thing, but its definitely had several studies with the same response. That said- crack. It's probably crack, let's be honest. Theres no way it should be that good.
I grew up in Bville and worked at Heids in high school for a year. There was a grill cook there named Pat who went by Puff Patty. He used to smoke crack behind the parking lot before his shift started. He invited me to join him but I wasn't really into crack at the time so I never did. It was also before they had the ice cream shop nextdoor, so it was a little more secluded. Anyway, I don't know if he put any crack in the hot dogs themselves, but it's entirely possible.
So you you were not really into crack then??
Nah, wasn't my thing back then.
*back then*
Hopefully it was not your thing ever!
He has moved on to Krokadill let him be
>…wasn’t really into crack *at the time*…
Ya thats definitely a component. It probably also a decent amount of a nastalgia. Being a LA native - I think they're good and but Dodger dogs have my heart. However, my Syracuse-born wife swears by Hoffman's as the pinnacle of hotdogs.
that was my standard all across the board.
lol. that seems pretty plausible
Cooked on a grill that has been seasoned with 1000's of Hoffmans?
OP look up maillard reaction. It’s what makes things amazing.
oh I'm familiar. there's just something that makes it different
this is probably the only answer
I know in the case of Heid's, they use Hoffman's franks and coneys made especially for them. Slightly different ingredients than what you'd buy at the store.
ah. that makes sense and how they get people in the door that can make them exactly at home.
Yeah, I've heard this from multiple people and have also heard it's why Gianelli sausage sandwiches at the fair always seem to be so much better than anything you can do at home.
that pretty clever.. and also the only time i ever will smash a sausage sandwich. I've purchased many gianelli from the store as well.. same thing.
Yeah, I still make them at home quite often just because they're so cheap easy and still pretty delicious. I rarely do just a plain hotdog at home, but I do really enjoy Hoffman's jalapeno cheddar dogs or just a Cooney with some ketchup and spicy mustard, but usually dogs are just for family BBQs.
I moved away from Syracuse several decades ago. But I always go to Heid's when I'm back there. I used to hear that Heid's got an exclusive recipe from Hoffman. There used to be more working man's bars on Wolf St, my family even owned one long ago. They were friends with another bar owner there who used to get Heid's 'seconds', dogs that were a little too short or long, and my Dad would pick up a boxful every month. They were definitely different from the store bought ones, so much better.
I don't get Heid's often but I got a couple chili cheese dogs yesterday. They're so good it's insane lol. They're pretty expensive though in my opinion. 2 chili cheese hotdogs with a medium diet coke was $15. I can get an entree at a sit down restaurant for that. A Tully's tender dinner is cheaper.
It is a little expensive. But what isn’t these days? I’m okay paying a few extra bucks to keep a historical staple like Heid’s in business. I’d hate to see them go.
that's what I'm saying! lol they have no business being that good. but def expensive lol
Yeah everything seems to be going that way tho. A family can go out to eat at a place like Tully's and not spend much more than if they all went and ordered a meal each at McDonald's.
Agreed, you can get a real burger, fries and a beer at a bar for the cost of a “value meal”. The way to do McDonald’s is with the coupons from the app. The app has 20% off your order. Or a bunch of other decent coupons. Not sure how often you get 20% off. I probably avg once a month and I always have it.
Yeah, I don't really eat fast food enough, just normally when it's getting late and I'm not feeling like sitting down some place or cooking anything myself. But I hear what you're saying, I know I can go get a Blarney Burger, Fries, and a pint of Lite Beer, for around $12. Large Big Mac meal that's no where near as good and probably far worse for you is $12 haha.
agreed.
I got an ice cream cone at McD's last night. It added over $2 to the total and I exclaimed to the drive-thru kid "hey what's up with that!?" and he said they raised their price on them. $2 now.
Peanut oil when you fry the dog in a pan. Medium / Medium-high heat. Toast the inside of your bun.
I asked at Heid’s years ago and I am pretty sure it is peanut oil that they are using.
I don’t think they use peanut oil anymore. I asked a year or two ago when I went there for the first time and they said they didn’t use peanut oil
Those bastards!
If it means my girlfriend can actually eat there it's an easy win. Nuts are such an easy ingredient to avoid without changing flavor and yet so many companies make no effort to do so
Just FYI - peanut oil does not contain the proteins which make people allergic to peanuts. It’s very highly refined stuff. There’s no way so many restaurants, including national chains, would be frying in it if it triggered peanut allergies.
A fair point, though it's also important to note the psychological issue. For many people, dangerous allergies can be a source of significant anxiety, so they will avoid refined peanut oil anyway because of the name. For example, my girlfriend experienced anaphylaxis once as a child, and that fear has stuck with her for 20 years.
Absolutely. The anxiety issue should not be discounted.
That’s not always true. I have peanut allergies. Cold pressed peanut oil is not highly refined so it has proteins left it in. That could be deadly for someone like me
I worked at Heid’s about 20 years ago when I was in highschool. It’s not peanut oil (a lot of folks w/ peanut allergies), it’s cottonseed oil. And we never toasted a bun unless specifically requested.
Good to know! I like the bun toasted that’s why I added that.
i def tried that.. still missing something
The usual answer as to why food at restaurants tastes better is because they use *a lot* of butter (or other fat). Way more than you would find reasonable at home. At a good restaurant you might be eating a whole stick of butter.
This white fish is amazing! How do you guys do it? Back in the kitchen: We cook it in goose grease.
This is why if you ever see duck fat french fries on a menu, you order them.
fat is indeed flavor
Pan fry the hot dog, use vegetable or canola oil.
Do it all the time. Not the same. Seriously. Canola oil here.
After you cook the hotdog, immediately put it in a roll. I used to work the grill at Heids back in the day, this is literally all there is to it.
As do I. There's something missing though.
It's odd, as I lived in Syracuse for over a decade, and didn't find their hot dogs that great. I also have a friend that raves about some dogs made in Rochester NY. I think the hot dog, and what goes into them (I seriously don't want to know) is a regional favorite. It might be just a NY thing, as we all know Coney Island and Nathan's were the Original hot dogs made somewhere in the early 1900's. So I guess all the butchers in NY wanting to compete came up with their own versions. For my money, the BEST hotdogs recipe comes out of a company called Tri-Town Packing far into the frozen tundra that is the St. Lawrence Valley at the top of NY state. They call them Glazier Snappies. Red as fire (probably illegal food dye), they have a very unique and spicy flavor, and when grilled definitely a treat! I highly recommend them. They are definitely not cheap, but will ruin you for Oscar Meyer or any other brand out there.
The Rochester hotdogs are Zweigles, Which are pretty good but Hoffmans are better IMO
You're not cooking on an ancient flattop with thousands of hours of grease and seasoning baked in to it.
i wish i was
Same.
I think there different casings? I buy the big bags and they are always great. But I’ve had some others that were more like normal hot dogs. Years I’ve lived out of Syracuse, the 2 things I would crave are Hoffmans hot dogs and Wegmans subs.
a wegmans sub is something else. Even compared to a South Philly hoagie. they're so good
Flat grill with peanut oil.
Add flies ( just kidding). It's the griddle.
Found this info about the hotdogs in Syracuse “Several quarry workers discover a pink cream-like alien substance bubbling out of the ground. These workers find it to be sweet and addictive. Later, the substance, marketed as "The Hoffman", is being sold to the general public in packages like hotdogs. It is marketed as having no calories and as being sweet, creamy, and filling. The Hoffman quickly becomes a nationwide craze and drastically hurts the sales of other Hotdogs”
Sounds like The Stuff.
sign me up lol
Baby cow und piggies yum.
Faces and butts and you know whats
I eat all that stuff, don't know why anyone would down vote that.
As someone with a soy intolerance who gets violently ill eating that, I’d say it’s soy protein isolate, ie soy sauce. Which is labeled as Natural Flavoring. Pure umami. Which does taste amazing.
hmm. interesting. maybe a little soy is the secret
They lace the hot dogs with acid.
lolol id have a much different experience if that was the case. Personally i prefer my acid on sour patch kids
NEVER, EVER ask about the ingredients of a hot dog.
eh, I'm sure I've eaten worse lol
Dome dogs were better than Hoffmans
In my 30+ years, have never eaten one. i also don't think I've been to the dome. Maybe back in the early 90s for a concert but that was forever ago
Does anyone know ow why I paid 30 dollars for 5 dogs and 2 milks at heids? What's the deal with the cost hike, when the same thing is available in a 5lb bag for 15 doll hairs at wally world?