The Best Hot Dogs to Grill, According to a Former MLB Player’s Private Chef

For Alfredo, these Ball Park Beef Franks are big on flavor and nostalgia. “​​Growing up, it’s the one my parents would buy,” he says. Beyond that, he also likes how thick they are compared to some other grocery store brands.

At under $5 for a pack of eight, they’re great for cookouts and baseball watch parties. His favorite way to cook them? “I like them grilled, and slightly more charred.” When it comes to the all-important toppings, he likes caramelized onions, a light squeeze of ketchup, and plenty of mustard and relish to complement the mayo-slathered toasted bun. 

Buy: Ball Park Beef Franks, $4.89 for 8 franks at Amazon

As a side, I’m always a fan of chips and dip. Alfredo’s dip recommendation? Bitchin’ Sauce, specifically the chipotle flavor. This creamy vegan dip is made from almonds and contains smoky chipotles, slightly cheesy nutritional yeast, and plenty of spices like onion powder and smoked paprika. 

Alfredo enjoys eating it as a dip with chips or veggies, and he’s clearly not the only one who’s a big fan. Amazon shoppers have bought 4,000 tubs of the chipotle variety in the last month, with reviewers calling it “amazing,” “full of flavor,” and “the best sauce ever.” 

Buy: Chipotle Bitchin Sauce, $4.39 for 8 ounces at Amazon

Speaking of things that go well with chips, I Love Chamoy’s Chamoy Sauce is a good pairing, too, according to Alfredo. “I squeeze some of it on chips with lime juice, and it’s good like that,” he says.

This sugar-free, plant-based sauce is packed with punchy flavor, thanks to the chile pepper mix, lime powder, and hibiscus powder. While he enjoys this sauce on chips, Alfredo says that “most of the time, I’ll add it to fresh fruit,” like juicy watermelon and sweet mango. Personally, I’m going to try blending it up with mango, lime, and Tajín for a refreshing mangonada slushie. 

Buy: I Love Chamoy Sauce, $12 for 10 ounces at Amazon

When you have folks over for game day, consider grabbing a pack of Bawi’s fruity canned sparkling agua frescas for your guests to sip on. The four flavors — pineapple, guava, lime, and passion fruit — are sold separately, or you can try them all in a variety pack. Alfredo’s current favorite is the passion fruit, though guava is a close second.

One thing Alfredo loves about these sparkling agua frescas is that they’re an easy base for really delicious mixed drinks. He recommends adding a squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkle of chamoy or Tajín to take it to the next level. As someone who loves a good mocktail, I will absolutely be trying this at my next summer gathering. 

Buy: Bawi La Maracuyá Agua Fresca, $39.99 for 12 cans at Bawi