54 Responses to:
HOT DOG COMPANY GOES NATIONAL

# 1. 5/8/12 7:40 AM by JIM - ROCHESTER,N.Y.
BOB,YOU FORGOT TOBIN'S RED HOTS.FROM THE OLD TOBIN MEAT PACKING PLACE IN ROCHESTER,N.Y.

Editor's Note: i always thought tobin's was the albany hot dog. and being something of a zweigle's snob myself, i never thought much of it.

# 2. 5/8/12 7:52 AM by Matt - Rochester, NY
Definitely gives you a feeling of pride! The best hot dogs in the world from Syracuse and Rochester!

Editor's Note: i am trying not to be a jingoist on this, but honestly, i really believe that. the zweigle's product and the hofmann product are different, but wonderfully different. they honestly are the best hot dogs i've ever had, and i really like hot dogs. whoda thunk that two relatively small cities in the middle of nowhere would hit the long ball on hot dogs.

# 3. 5/8/12 8:09 AM by Henrietta Mom - Henrietta, NY
I am not a hot dog person myself, even as a kid I never cared for them. However, as an Upstate NYer, I am very happy that one of our regional products will become available nationally. I really hope that this works out well for them and that the entire country loves them.

# 4. 5/8/12 8:11 AM by Dan - Victor
Good Morning Bob - I live in Victor now - but grew up in Syracuse. Nothing beat a late Saturday night double Hoffman's hot dog at Heid's in Liverpool after a date. Brought a few dates there too. Would go "parking" along the Onondaga Lake Parkway to watch the "submarine races". The great memories of youth.

# 5. 5/8/12 8:12 AM by Grandma Taxpayer - Greece, NY
Zweigles is the best! There is a large group of Rochester "retirees" in Florida and they get together at least once a year and have Zweigles hot dogs and Abbotts Frozen Custard shipped down for the big picnic.

I have been to several states on vacation and miss three things on my travels. Zweigles, Abbotts custard and Wegmans!

Editor's Note: uh, and wham radio?

# 6. 5/8/12 8:21 AM by Rick G. - Spencerport, NY
Hoffmans makes wieners, Zweigles makes hot dogs. If you're German, you get the difference. Both are good, but I'm a Hoffman guy. I love that *snap*

I wish them well.

Editor's Note: the snap, from the casing, is also found in the zweigle's natural casing product.

# 7. 5/8/12 8:34 AM by Cal - Rochester, NY
Bob,

All I have to say is that the famous HEID`S in Liverpool is the best hot dogs I ever had! They are Hoffmans and delicious! Worth a stop everytime going thru Syracuse.

My other top favorite is the TEXAS HOTS in Wellsville, NY. They serve Zweigles and have the best waitresses! There is also other great food served by the Greeks! It`s a great meeting place, where we met for our 50 th year class reunion! I said to my best friend that I was just coming from Hooters. He said disgruntedly that there were no Hooters in Wellsville! LOL

Editor's Note: texas hots in wellsville is a sentimental favorite for me. and delicious, like the texas cafe in hornell. heid's in liverpool is nice, but pretty expensive. i go, and i like it, but they probably have one of the higher profit margins you're going to find in the food-service world.

# 8. 5/8/12 8:48 AM by Earl
Back in March, you were a cheerleader for pink slime.

Now you step forward with praise for Hofmann hot dogs.

With all due respect, Bob, do you really think Hofmann wants your endorsement?

# 9. 5/8/12 8:50 AM by Ass Dawg
Hot dogs can give you butt cancer. The nitrates found in hot dogs could increase the risk of colorectal cancer by 50 percent.

Editor's Note: then don't put them in your butt, barney frank.

# 10. 5/8/12 8:59 AM by S J - Rochester, NY
"Until then, grab yourself a frank and a coney and enjoy life."

John Travolta must have (allegedly) read this column.

# 11. 5/8/12 9:04 AM by JR - Fairport
I love both Zweigles and Hoffmans! Being that my Dad is from Syracuse, stopping at Heid's was a MUST everytime we went through that area. Love that place.

# 12. 5/8/12 9:13 AM by hc
Hopefully, they will sell salt potatoes. If you’re going to go Syracuse, you might as well go all the way.

Then you better add Grandma Brown's Baked Beans to that list, Bob!

~xp

# 13. 5/8/12 9:18 AM by Lee - Henrietta, NY
Heeeeey Bob (not BOOB), I grew up in Liverpool and for 55 years, I and everyone in my generation pronounced it Cone-y, ya know, like "Coney Island", not COONEY. Cooney is what the kids are calling them these days. I have a name for them. It's "Morons". Pronounced MO-RONS, not MOO-RONS. Let's hope this puts an end to the rumors spread by some Rochestarians in the "Sausage" business. There's NO raccoon meat listed in the ingredients and we hope this practice continues, although the move to Texas may necessitate a tweek in the recipe. Yours etc., A. Coneyholic, retired

Editor's Note: to be honest, i've not heard a single syracuse person pronounce it "coney." it's always "cooney," regardless of their age.

# 14. 5/8/12 9:26 AM
Why are you so interested in what kind of wieners I like, Bob?

# 15. 5/8/12 9:32 AM by John - Penfield
I like their specialty sausages sold at the deli at Wegmans, otherwise I get the Hebrew Nationals, I really like.

# 16. 5/8/12 9:36 AM by hc
Oh....and Liehs & Steigerwald over on Grant Ave. did some mighty tasty things with pork as well. When we were little, my dad would take my brother and me over there on Saturday and they would cut off big thick hunks of bologna for us to eat. Then we would go to the bakery next door (I forget it's name...) and we'd get a huge half-moon cookie.

You had me at Hoffman's today, didn't you? Ah, I can run, but I can't Heid!!

~xp

# 17. 5/8/12 9:36 AM by mark - Pocatello ID
Never had Hoffmans but I do remember the Parks sausages at Memorial Park watching Orioles games in the 70's. If Hoffmans are anything like them I will give them a try when they come out this way.

# 18. 5/8/12 9:50 AM by WBBF
Editor's Note: uh, and wham radio? Doesn't the signal from Ham reach beyond Rochester?

# 19. 5/8/12 10:07 AM by tommie
Small story, many words. Do you get paid by the word count?

Editor's Note: maybe you're weiner's small, but if your boyfriend doesn't mind, i guess it's none of anybody's business

# 20. 5/8/12 10:18 AM
Will the Zweigle's white hots and the Hofmann's Snappys take over notable spot which Kodak is leaving in our town? Every once in a while have to go off the diet and treat myself. Yum, love 'em both.

# 21. 5/8/12 10:19 AM by Thomas M. - Arkport, NY
Growing up poor white trash down in the Catskills, we usually ate hot dogs that barely passed muster as a food product. On "special occasions" we would step up to Nathan's and they were pretty good. When I moved to Rochester and met my wife, she introduced me to Zweigle's. They've been our mainstay ever since. We've tried Sahlen's and they're good, but we've been a Zweigle family (although my oldest daughter does like Nathan's).

After reading your column, I think we'll venture outside the comfort zone and try Hofmann's this Memorial Day. From what you write, I doubt we'll be disappointed.

# 22. 5/8/12 10:31 AM by BIFF
Go down south, beyond Pennsylvania, and it's impossible to get a decent hotdog. We're VERY fortunate.

Pass the French's mustard, please.

Editor's Note: i wish they were still a rochester company

# 23. 5/8/12 10:47 AM by Political Observer - Greece, NY
Give me a break, the best hot dogs in town are Sahlen's. The local product is short and stubby. Sahlen's has length and much better flavor. Bigger is better.

By the way, whats the name of that soccer stadium downtown?

Editor's Note: moneypit stadium

# 24. 5/8/12 11:09 AM by Patrick - Syracuse
The Hofmann Hot Haus came to be when Heid's stopped selling Hofmann's hot dogs over a dispute for the recipe. The Weiner War is over, they have kissed and made up, but the Hofmann Hot Haus remains.

Editor's Note: yeah. i've only gone once. i loved the potato salad. service and cleanliness were not much to write home about. if i were the new hofmann's people, i'd steal the heid's of liverpool model and build on that.

# 25. 5/8/12 11:23 AM by Bart - Webster
Man, there is nothing like the smell and taste of a grilled hot dog!

Good luck to the new venture.

Editor's Note: amen. though, a steak can smell and taste pretty good, too. that's how i am at a cook out. i want burger, steak and hot dogs.

# 26. 5/8/12 11:41 AM by little john - Mt.Morris,N.Y.
I enjoyed the column. Zweigles are for particular people who like something more than a plain frank. I will have to try the Hofmann's brand when I see them.

(just curious??? What brand did/does, Nick Tahoes use today???)

Editor's Note: i was surprised to find out years ago that it's not zweigle's. the other nick tahou's, now called steve t's or something, on lyell by 390, i think they use zweigle's.

# 27. 5/8/12 11:41 AM by Jim Phalen - Rochester, NY
Local brands and "spheres of influence" are what makes regionalism interesting. When I moved to California in the late seventies and would bring back a box of porkers or white hots I enjoyed the suspicion that the locals would view them with. Some would even ask out right if they were "safe". In the early 80's I moved to Colorado and people were befuddled by the concept of chicken wings. Now we are heading to culinary homogenization. Might as well just resign myself to a Big Mac.

By the way the onsite spellchecker didn't like the word "hots". You must have a left coast version installed.

# 28. 5/8/12 12:21 PM by Dan - Rochester, NY
Bob

Rochester has a very rich hot dog history. in addition to Tobin's (they started in Rochester and were later bought out), there was Russer's Meats. These two brands dominated the Rochester hot dog market for years. Sadly, Russer's went belly up in the early 70's and the brand name was sold to Zemco Foods, a Buffalo company. Thankfully, Zwiegle's stepped in to fill the void and are doing a damn fine job of it I may add! i'll have one....er two with everything!!

# 29. 5/8/12 12:26 PM by Mike - Greece
Let's face it ... most hot dogs are "pink slime" and we love 'em.

# 30. 5/8/12 12:33 PM by Poplar Beach
Hofmann's, Zweigle's, both are great.

Years ago we did October fest (two nights) at my restaurant, I would pre order and drive to Rochester to pick up the bratwurst, knockwurst, weisswurst and home made German potato salad at Zweigle's, with Becks beer on tap, and a bad Oompah band we packed the place!

# 31. 5/8/12 12:52 PM by Rick G. again - Spencerport, NY
They make a big deal out of Ted's in Buffalo. If you like an anemic, salty hot dog that is burned beyond recognition, that is the place to go.

You want the real deal, head to Swans on Parsells Avenue.

# 32. 5/8/12 12:53 PM by NascarDad - Richmond, VA
I had to vote for Sahlens to give them some love (gotta love them, char grilled at Ted's) but I love all the upstate NY hotdogs.

# 33. 5/8/12 1:15 PM by Mark
#9) Hot Dogs (Frankfurters), Barney Frank and up his butt.

Good one.

# 34. 5/8/12 1:30 PM
Conti's hots @ Tahou's?

I really miss Shuler's potato chips - all brown from the starches.

Been meaning to try Hoffmans but I always forget.

Editor's Note: i don't know. i honestly don't know if they still make conti's hot dogs.

# 35. 5/8/12 2:56 PM by dan - Rochester
Amen to Swans! got a whole bunch of Tim's Venison hots in my freezer....not to mention salami, polish sausage, pepperoni, beef stick.

Editor's Note: yeah, swan's is good. it's sort of a genuine, we-just-got-here-from-germany feel.

# 36. 5/8/12 4:01 PM by ~E~ - Hilton, NY
We love Zweigle's hot dogs--red and white! Our children who moved to VA always ask us to bring a big pack from BJ's when we visit. There's nothing like them!

# 37. 5/8/12 4:16 PM
We don't really have the "hot dog" thing going on in Utah that you guys must have out east. That said, I do happen to be a hot dog snob. I buy the boars head kosher dogs most often. When I really want something tasty, I go downtown to Siegfried's and buy fresh dogs from their deli. I love a long, skinny, hang over the bun, wiener.

Also, I'm a German girl, so I spell it "wiener". I keep seeing everybody in the comments/column spelling it "weiner". Is everyone else spelling it wrong...or am I?

Editor's Note: i before e, except after c. and in the germanic dipthong, the second one does the talking, wiener girl.

# 38. 5/8/12 4:21 PM by Dan - Rochester ny
Re Swan's - Correction, that would be Barry not Tim.....don't know where i came up with Tim

# 39. 5/8/12 4:39 PM by Bob Jr. - SLC, UT
Your comment to #9 was one of your best. Had me laughing out loud. I havnt tried either of those. Any way I can get them out west? Nathan's are the best I've found around here....

# 40. 5/8/12 5:32 PM
The only big time hit nationwide hit from around here foodwise is Jell-o.

It's not good in a bun nor grilled on a BBQ but it shimmy's and shakes and comes in many flavors---but NOT hot dog.

Editor's Note: french's mustard was big, ditto for ragu sauce. also snackables, various frozen vegetables and barilla pasta.

# 41. 5/8/12 5:57 PM by Durwood - Canandsigua
Swans is good. Take your Tums and a bullet proof vest.

# 42. 5/8/12 7:28 PM by Dutchtown Lad
Lipton instants. Also Nick Tahou had shorter hots made custom for him. And the rolls were shorter and wider. If you get Zweigles bratwurst it is the same as the hots except wider and only 4 to the pound. When you split them, they fill a round hamburger roll perfectly. Tobins were excellent red and white hots, and their hams were outstanding. When I was in grade school I walked past Russers and Tobins every day. Russers had their own retail store across from their plant on Maple St. and sold all the varieties of cold cuts they made at very reasonable prices. Yeah, Tobins was sold to an Albany company and a Buffalo company bought the rights to thre Russer name. Shulers and Kress potato chips were the best. If you ever ate a brown Shulers chip, you wouldn't want anything else!

# 43. 5/8/12 7:50 PM by J.A. - walworth NY
Bob...your comments to comment #7....careful what you say...or Obama might tell Heid's "there's a time for making a profit....now is not that time!"....

LOVE Hofmanns...grew up near Heids...I believe one of the secrets at Heids is they pour peanut oil over the dogs when they're on the flattop griddle....

# 44. 5/8/12 8:52 PM by j coene - Globe az
Zweigle's all the way! I have some reds, whites and sausage as well as some red osier roast beef shipped here once a year. I would be delighted if Hofmanns serviced Phoenix, AZ. Absolutely no good hots here. Ask for a white hot around here and they look at you like you have exploding underwear!

# 45. 5/9/12 3:16 AM by Jogerfy Teecher
"...company headquartered two time zones away"

Texis is in the Central time zone. That's one from the Eastern.

p.s. I'm referrin' yew tew the Rithmetic teecher tew.

# 46. 5/9/12 6:45 AM by Ron - Still 716
Speaking of wiener-philes, check out the Democrat Presidential Primary results in WV, from last night.

Keith Judd, aka inmate 11593-051, got almost 40% of the vote.

The dude's locked up in TX for crimes committed in NM.

You may have FUBO on your shirt, but WV takes it to the ballot box.

# 47. 5/9/12 6:56 AM by Rick C - Rochester,NY 14610
Actually Wegmans has made Zweigles national by selling thier HotDogs in Maryland,Pennsylvania,Washington DC and Massachusetts. I would think that alot of people traveling south for the winter just might be stopping at a Wegmans in Virginia to purchase Zwiegles White Hots to bring them to Florida with them.

Editor's Note: it turns out, the country may actually be larger than maryland, pennsylvania, massachusetts and the district of columbia.

# 48. 5/9/12 12:14 PM
i before e except after c, or when sounding like "a" as in "neighbor" and "weigh". :D

# 49. 5/9/12 3:55 PM by Mark - Saratoga Springs, NY
According to Hofmann's web site... "Our tender, juicy Franks and "Snappys" (Coneys) have been satisfying families since 1879. "

I guess that's before Zweigel's.

Editor's Note: yep, that's what the column says.

# 50. 5/9/12 5:24 PM by Beth - Canandaigua, NY
Glazier hot dogs are the best. Then Hofmans. The rest are lame

Editor's Note: i would have used the word "limp"

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