New Yorkers Cry ‘Baloney!’ Over Kosher Frank Shortage

First, there was replacement baseball. Now, notoriously fussy New Yorkers have to deal with replacement hot dogs.

Production problems at the Hebrew National plant in Indianapolis have created a hot-dog shortage that is giving heartburn to street vendors and deli owners all over town.

“It has to be Hebrew National,” street vendor Ernie Kahis said Wednesday in Manhattan’s Garment District. “We didn’t have any for five days last week, and I don’t sell anything else.”

Seventy percent of Hebrew National’s $200 million in annual sales comes from hot dogs, and the company sells 14 million kosher franks a year in the New York area alone, said Jim Kritek, the company’s senior attorney.

Hebrew National blamed equipment problems at the plant, as well as the departure of a number of workers who left to take jobs with an aircraft repair factory that opened nearby.

“Production is off nearly 12%, but we’re trying to remedy that by hiring more people, putting more people into the business,” Kritek said. “Right now demand is exceeding supply, but they’re working to bring it back up.”

Many customers, including those who are not Jewish, prefer kosher dogs because they are made according to strict standards and are 100% beef from the steer’s forequarter. Some non-kosher brands are all beef as well but may include other parts of the animal.