LIGHTLIFE FOODS Jumbo Smart Dogs, 13.5 OZ

Yummy

You really aren't giving up anything in terms of flavor and it's actually quite protein heavy, so it feels a lot more substantive than the typical vegan hot dog (which might have a gram of sugar for each gram of protein). It does have a gratuitous amount of salt, but that's just how Hot Dogs are. You can still make something healthy out of it by using it in the traditional sausage role and mixing it in with beans. Quick and dirty recipe: I use precooked, unseasoned bean flakes (which are effectively instant), canned diced tomatoes (perhaps with a little tomato sauce), vegan butter, TVP, vegetable stock/bullion, nutritional yeast, and vegan cheese (we're spoiled for choice). Any sort of additional meat substitute can be added to that, and there's plenty of good choices, but these particular hot dogs diced and cooked in olive oil are one of the best things to add due to the intense flavor. And if you're careful, it'll probably be about 30+% protein and you can avoid making it a salt bomb by regulating the amount of stock. Perfect with quinoa, brown rice, or any other grain.

As far as vegan hot dogs go, they certainly aren't the best. They have a sort of bologna/baloney flavor. I actually think they resemble real hot dogs pretty closely in that sense. They don't brown very well and they tend to stick to whatever you're cooking them on. They're not terrible on their own, but they're pretty satisfying if you load it with sauerkraut, mustard, and other fixings. They're also relatively cheap as far as fake meats go.

Delicious

Kinda meh.... It's not the best hot dog. If you reheat it from the freezer the outside expands leaving the inside with the "meat" hollow and rattling around. It's okay just not a hotdog texture...

Tastes great. Will buy again.

Tastes like crap. I tossed this after I took one bite. Please refund.

I'm not sure about all the negative "smell like chemicals" sorts of reviews. Maybe there's a genetic thing, like people who think cilantro tastes like soap. My order history says I've bought these 52 times, and I've bought the regular size ones too. They're good! They're the only hot dogs my kids will eat, and I've let them try regular and turkey hot dogs (much as those gross me out). Sear them in a hot skillet with a little oil. Sprinkle some extra salt on them, serve with a side of ketchup or mustard for dipping. They're great! Very easy and quick kid-friendly snack/lunch.