Call it the control dog.
7-Eleven, Financial District.
As much as I love to lie, I hate to be a liar.
That means, even if I said I would rank hot dogs in a newsletter all summer on impulse more than it being a good idea, I will follow through.
To start us off, I tried a 7-Eleven hot dog — my first one ever, I assure you. There were no 7-Elevens in Tyler, Texas when I was growing up. Why start here? Not because it’s good but because it’s common, and more important than that, I needed a control, a hot dog almost everyone has a point of reference for the overall rankings, which will be continuously updated in a Google sheet linked at the bottom of the newsletter.
7-Eleven
Financial District
The classic convenient store hot dog available across the U.S. with remarkable consistency (or so I’ve been told).
Price: $
What it’s good for: Popping in when you have to have a hot dog, and your roommates won’t take the train to East Village because it’s already late.
I got exactly what I expected with this one, and I think that deserves credit in itself. The bun was dry — maybe a little stale and definitely a little stiff, but the hot dog itself had a meaty bite to it but very little snap and no remarkable flavor. It was fine.
Even in the realm of convenient store hot dogs, I have to admit I’ve had better. They’re far off memories, but my hot dog at Love’s Travel Stop when I drove to Houston from my hometown one year, I remember it having a far snappier bite and overall being tastier.
7-Eleven was, quite simply, lacking.
In its defense, I didn’t do it any favors. I don’t like ketchup, and the topping station was a little pitiful with no relish so I piled on pickled jalapeños to help it out but there wasn’t enough to help out the bun.
I ate both of my hot dogs while waiting for the train home, which seems like what this is best suited for — a late night eat when you have no where else to go and the places you’d like better are closed or too far.
Still, I abandoned the bun halfway through eating them to eat the hot dog plain, so take that as you will.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
It’s a hot dog summer, and if that isn’t a recession indicator, what is?
This is my first summer (not visiting) in the city, so I’m very excited to enjoy my hot dogs on hot summer days in the park or at the beach or anywhere else.
If you have any recommendations for your favorite hot dog spots in the city, please comment them below! I’ll add them to my list. Have you tried 7-Eleven’s hot dog? Let me know if my hopes of having a “control” for my rankings was in vain.
The Full Rankings
Check out the full sheet of hot dog rankings and scores.
I’m so freaking proud of you!!!
Loved your article