What Happened To Burger King's Hot Dogs?

When a fast food chain bucks tradition, the results can vary. Burger King is known for its iconic menu items, like the Whopper, but the chain has definitely stretched those boundaries. Burger King hot dogs were a fleeting food that first appeared in early 2016 and disappeared within about six months.

Among the discontinued fast-food hot dogs you probably forgot existed, the pair from Burger King included a classic and a chili variety. Each hot dog was made from 100% beef and served in a baked bun. The classic hot dog came with a combination of toppings including mustard, ketchup relish, and chopped onions. The other was topped with a generous portion of chili and cheese.

In an effort to get in on the hot dog market, Burger King's new items debuted in February 2016, making the chain one of the biggest fast-food brands to sell hot dogs in the United States. Much like those of its fast-food counterparts, however, Burger King's hot dogs spent only a brief time on the menu. Despite the chain's attempts to make them as successful as its Whoppers, the offerings received mixed reviews from customers, many of whom found them disappointing.

Though lackluster performance is likely the biggest contributing factor behind disappearance of these hot dogs, perhaps the classic and chili versions remain discontinued Burger King items somebody out there definitely still thinks about. One Facebook user inquires, "I would like to know why Burger King doesn't have grilled hot dogs anymore like they used to," continuing, "I hope that someday they come back." Although the fast food chain invested in marketing campaigns that included entertainers Snoop Dogg and Charo to help bolster the rollout of the new products, not all Burger King customers remember the menu items. For those that do, these aren't entirely fond memories. 

The introduction of hot dogs by the popular burger chain didn't sit well with some customers, who found the new products disconnected from the brand. Others felt the hot dogs were too small, though some acknowledged that their taste and texture were reasonably good for a fast-food offering. One Redditor described them as "Small, hard, rubbery hot dogs lost in a sea of relish and mustard," while another said the bun was stale. Other customers simply called the hot dogs "average" and "nothing special."

If you happen to dine at a Burger King in Cyprus, you can still find the classic-style hot dog on the menu. Otherwise, the variety of fast-food hot dogs available elsewhere should satisfy your craving. Or, if all else fails, you can always fire up the grill and make your own at home.