Best commercial bratwurst and hotdogs?

The Hinsdale Rotary Club does a brat/dog fundraiser several times during the summer, and we have one more coming up... we have, for the last ten or twelve years, gone out Elburn for Randy Reem's Elburn Market sausages (last year I brought back 1,200 sausages for our big event at the Hindale Art Fair weekend.)

This year our club President insisted we buy sausages from a local supplier - they're his buddies, and this is Chicago, right? The brats were, at best, mediocre and the dogs were Daisy Brand skinless (skinless dogs in CHICAGO???) We ain't going to do that again. The current president's term is up at the end of this month, and the incoming guy is a big Elburn fan.

So, we have one more small brat/dog event, and it really doesn't justify me making the 100-mile round trip to Elburn for a couple hundred or so sausages.

What do you guys recommend for a decent store-bought brat and dog that we won't have to be ashamed of?

Thanks for your suggestions

The Aidells line pretty much changed my grilling life. Here's a pic...



I love the sun dried tomato, but I've had several of the various types, and I can't recall not liking any of them. They should have them at Jewel/Dominicks, but if I remember correctly, they were separate from the rest of the hot dogs. Good luck.

In the immortal words of Serengeti:

Favorite coach: Ditka
Vacation place: 'Consin
Sausage: Johnson[ville]
Chicken: Swanson

Other actor: Berenger
Linebacker: Butkus
Chop peppers
tomatoes onions

Keep your juices in the chops
Keep your juices in the brats
Serve 'em on paper plates
potato salad and grape pop

I do really like Johnsonville Brats, original recipe (raw) and stadium style (pre-cooked), avoid the other flavors. It's the taste most of us in Chicagoland grow up with. Of course, they're based in Sheboygan Falls, but they are available in sale packs and even cases at some places here, and if cheap and familiar are important, hard to go wrong. Usinger's also scratches the itch (the coarse-ground, please). If you want to go small-producer in Chicago, Peoria Packing should be checked out. Tony's Finer Foods has house-ground raw but I find them a bit nutmeggy and soft, if flavorful.

Dogs, I'm more picky about, and there are good choices for Chicago-sourced skin-on dogs. What's wrong with good old Vienna Beef? (They also have bratwurst, but it's harder to find and not as nostalgically rewarding as Johnson'.) Romanian Kosher and Bobak's* are even homier. Peoria Packing also has bulk dogs (haven't had them recently).

If you expand company horizons and dive into Italian sausage, the Holy Trinity is Riviera (Da Riv), Bari, and Nottoli's. You can find info and testimonials on all using the search window.

*perhaps not for Polish sausage, though

Johnsonville Brats (original, uncooked) are my favorites for a large brand; whether they are grilled from raw or precooked w/ beer & onions and then grilled. Not so long ago, they were available in larger packs at Sam's Club (may still be but I haven't looked lately).

Another brand I like that I've seen around in Chicago is Usinger's fresh brats. I'm not sure where they're available in large quantities in Chicago but they are a Milwaukee company so may have local larger retailers or are a quick trip up nort der.

I know you are asking about commercial brats but if you want to stick to good butcher made, have you considered The Wurst Kitchen in Aurora? They have been in business over 100 years in the same family and specialize in all sorts of sausages and old world cuts. I have had their brats a number of times and put them in the park with Ream's. They sell a Kicker (spicy) brat and a garlic brat as well as the traditional brat. My friends that ran the Elgin Octoberfest for many years bought all their brats from the Wurst Kitchen. They vendor all the local fairs and farmer's markets as well, preparing something for you in quantity should be no problem plus they are a lot closer than Elburn.(about 22 miles straight west if you don't follow the stupid google directions that take you to Plainfield first!)

Wurst Kitchen
638 2nd Avenue
Aurora, Illinois
630-898-9242

jpreiser wrote:Another brand I like that I've seen around in Chicago is Usinger's fresh brats. I'm not sure where they're available in large quantities in Chicago but they are a Milwaukee company so may have local larger retailers or are a quick trip up nort der.

I believe Sam's Club carries them in 5 lb packages.

Check out this website. I completely agree with their selection as the #1 dog. Best's Kosher is the way to go. This is same brand they serve at US Cellular Field. Although I'm a Cubs fan, Best's Kosher is hard to beat.


Regarding the brats, I think a local butcher you trust is a good idea.

the sleeve wrote:Check out this website. I completely agree with their selection as the #1 dog. Best's Kosher is the way to go. This is same brand they serve at US Cellular Field. Best's Kosher is hard to beat.
.

Im pretty sure Sarah Lee stopped making Best's Kosher dogs a few months ago.

THey were the best though.

jimswside wrote:

the sleeve wrote:Check out this website. I completely agree with their selection as the #1 dog. Best's Kosher is the way to go. This is same brand they serve at US Cellular Field. Best's Kosher is hard to beat.
.

Im pretty sure Sarah Lee stopped making Best's Kosher dogs a few months ago.

THey were the best though.

Yes, they stopped making them last year. Comiskey now serves Vienna Beef.
http://tinyurl.com/mxxa95

Ursiform wrote:
Yes, they stopped making them last year. Comiskey now serves Vienna Beef.
http://tinyurl.com/mxxa95

I thought so.

although Vienna makes a respectable dog, nothing can beat a grilled Bests Kosher Dog with grilled onions and mustard at the Cell.

My favorite hot dog is Red Hot Chicago brand with the skin on it, 8/1 (2 oz) size. You see more and more hot dog stands serving these. The come out well if you score and grill them or if you boil them. You can get the skinless version at some Jewel's. It is a little harder to get the skin on version. I know I saw them at Restaurant Depot in Alsip a couple of years ago. I personally buy them by the case from my employer which serves them.

http://www.redhotchicago.com/index.html

jimswside wrote:

Ursiform wrote:
Yes, they stopped making them last year. Comiskey now serves Vienna Beef.
http://tinyurl.com/mxxa95

I thought so.

although Vienna makes a respectable dog, nothing can beat a grilled Bests Kosher Dog with grilled onions and mustard at the Cell.

That sucks! I'm calling my congressman!

MikeLM wrote:
This year our club President insisted we buy sausages from a local supplier - they're his buddies, and this is Chicago, right? The brats were, at best, mediocre and the dogs were Daisy Brand skinless (skinless dogs in CHICAGO???) We ain't going to do that again. The current president's term is up at the end of this month, and the incoming guy is a big Elburn fan.

He gets to serve out his term?? Other rulers have been deposed for offenses far less serious than serving up skinless hot dogs.

I really like the Original Johnsonville Bratwurst. Even better than Usingers or Klements.
I start with cheap beer OldStyle or Miller then add a chopped onion, a few cloves of garlic 1 tblsp of butter and a generous helping of caraway seed. I like to steep the brats with the temp just below a simmer.
I usually steep for about 30-45 min then grill.

For Hotdogs, Hebrew National are my favorite, they cook up so nice on the grill.

jpreiser wrote:Johnsonville Brats (original, uncooked) are my favorites for a large brand; whether they are grilled from raw or precooked w/ beer & onions and then grilled. Not so long ago, they were available in larger packs at Sam's Club (may still be but I haven't looked lately).

Another brand I like that I've seen around in Chicago is Usinger's fresh brats. I'm not sure where they're available in large quantities in Chicago but they are a Milwaukee company so may have local larger retailers or are a quick trip up nort der.

The local Sams Club have been carrying 5# containers of Usinger Brats and Italian Sausages.

jpreiser wrote:Johnsonville Brats (original, uncooked) are my favorites for a large brand; whether they are grilled from raw or precooked w/ beer & onions and then grilled. Not so long ago, they were available in larger packs at Sam's Club (may still be but I haven't looked lately).

I spotted large packs of Johnsonville (original, uncooked) at Costco (Clybourn & Damen) just the other day - can't speak to Sam's Club.

maxpower wrote:For Hotdogs, Hebrew National are my favorite, they cook up so nice on the grill.

Agreed! Growing up, Hebrew National was the only hot dog around (at least around my house) and I still think they're the best. I remember years ago being at Miami Dolphins game and getting a foot-long Hebrew National... that's what all stadiums should serve!

-Dan

I am *shocked*, SHOCKED I tell you, that no one has mentioned the absolutely BEST brat in the world, Miesfelds of Sheboygan. Surely there must be someplace in Chicago to buy them...

Geo

maxpower wrote:For Hotdogs, Hebrew National are my favorite, they cook up so nice on the grill.

I agree! Flavorful, juicy, great grillers, and their advertising is delightfully cheeky.

IMHO Romanian Kosher Sausage at Clark andTouhy makes an excellent hot dog - way better than the dear departed Best Kosher dog and Hebrew National - Now at Romanian's you will not be able to get a true Brat as it is usually made with pork but they do make an excellent garlic dog that is spicier than their regular dogs -

I want to thank all of you for the responses. It's a lot of advice that I will use in the coming summer months if I don't get out to Elburn.

Geo wrote:I am *shocked*, SHOCKED I tell you, that no one has mentioned the absolutely BEST brat in the world, Miesfelds of Sheboygan. Surely there must be someplace in Chicago to buy them...

Geo

Sadly, there's no place to buy then in Chicago that I know of. I'll also add that Miesfelds hot dogs are excellent as well. They are quite possibly my favorite non-Chicago hot dog in the world.

Never had the hot dogs, Steve. Sounds like I'm missing something.

No Miesfeld's in Chicago? Hmmmm, sounds like a market niche that needs filling...

Geo

For dogs, Vienna has beat all others in blind tastings we have conducted. I like the Usingers veal wiener but the Vienna keeps coming out on top.
Usingers tops the list for fresh brats and they can be had in large packages.
Even better is to go to the factory store, take a number, Mon. Tu or Wed for the Senior discount and seconds if they have them!
Lately in Wisconsin if you purchase a 24 pack of a some Miller products you get a free package of Klement brats or Italian. My wife drinks the 64 stuff, so we ate Klements for the 4th. Pick n Save did Miller one better and offered free Klements, Sarah Lee buns and yelllow mustard with a 24 pack of some Miller products. Hard to beat that.-Dick

Late to comment but I have to tell you, we have been scarfing down the Bobak's veal hot dogs from Costo, I think 2 pounds are $6.99. Seriously, I've eaten more hot dogs in the past 2 months than in the previous 2 years! They are great.

/Is bumping an old thread acceptable?

My husband thinks himself a brat aficionado.
He has definite opinions about what constitutes a good brat.
Since I do not eat brats, I welcome input here.
There has to be tons of places I have not explored for both commercial and locally made.
The current champion is the Sheboygan brat from Paulina.
Oh yeah, the husband says a brat should plump when you cook it, not shrink.
I am willing to drive and share results of my hunt here.
Thanks!

jilter wrote:The current champion is the Sheboygan brat from Paulina.

My current brat best are Ream's in Elburn, IL and Miesfeld's in Sheboygan, WI, Miesfeld's also sells my pick for best natural casing hot dog.

Locally I'm partial to Mariano's brats, in particular giardiniera brats.

If you want a quality brat to plump instead of shrink cook it, by which I mean grill, slowly.

I was recently pressed into service at a neighbors house for brat duty. She, one of the nicest people I know but not a great cook, expressed delighted amazement at the plump juiciness of the brats, but was puzzled why it took me 45-minutes instead of her usual 8 to 10.

I've been making a killer condiment lately, simple but huge flavor punch. Equal parts yellow mustard and hot giardiniera blended to a smooth consistency. Be sure to use the oil in the giardiniera jar.

Mariano's

Ream's Elburn Market
128 N Main St
Elburn, IL 60119
630-365-6461

Miesfeld's Meat Market
4811 Venture Dr
Sheboygan, WI 53083-6046
920-565-6328

G Wiv wrote:I was recently pressed into service at a neighbors house for brat duty. She, one of the nicest people I know but not a great cook, expressed delighted amazement at the plump juiciness of the brats, but was puzzled why it took me 45-minutes instead of her usual 8 to 10.

Were you just cooking them indirect over lower heat? I just got a gas grill this past weekend, so I'm likely to be trolling for techniques I figure I might as well start at the top...

G Wiv wrote:

jilter wrote:The current champion is the Sheboygan brat from Paulina.

My current brat best are Ream's in Elburn, IL and Miesfeld's in Sheboygan, WI, Miesfeld's also sells my pick for best natural casing hot dog.

+1

Kid Charlemagne wrote:Were you just cooking them indirect over lower heat?

Indirect.

G Wiv wrote:Locally I'm partial to Mariano's brats, in particular giardiniera brats.

I have to agree. The store-made brats at Mariano's are surprisingly good. I had their habanero jack brats this weekend and liked them a lot.
--Rich