Food company and restaurant chain Nathan’s Famous just launched its first meatless hot dog. The new plant-based Coney Island hot dog is made in partnership with vegan brand The Meatless Farm and features its pea protein-based sausage spiced with Nathan’s Famous 100-year-old secret seasoning blend. Currently, the hot dog is available at Nathan’s Famous online retail shop as a kit ($44.99) that includes six Nathan’s Famous Meatless Farm Hot Dogs, buns (which are not vegan as they contain butter), and a bottle of Nathan’s Famous Deli Style Mustard. The kit is available for delivery nationwide.

“As plant-based menu items continue to grow in popularity, we are excited to launch the first ever gourmet, plant-based hot dog, a product created not just for our flexitarian, vegetarian, and vegan customers, but all who enjoy a healthier diet,” James Walker, Senior Vice President of Nathan’s Famous Restaurants, said. “We’ve spent a great deal of time perfecting this hot dog and making sure that those who know and love Nathan’s one-of-a-kind flavor, as well as those that might not have tried a Nathan’s hot dog due to diet, can now enjoy an option that fits their lifestyle. We are looking forward to growing a new customer base with this partnership with Meatless Farm and know their high-quality ingredients are the way to deliver what our customers have come to expect of the original Nathan’s Famous hot dog.”

Nathan’s Famous puts meatless hot dogs on the menu

In addition to the retail launch, in May, the meatless hot dog will become available at Nathan’s Famous restaurants in New York, Connecticut, Florida, and New Jersey with plans to add the new option to other restaurants in the near future. To promote the restaurant launch, Nathan’s Famous will offer one free meatless hot dog to customers who wish to try it for a limited time. 

“We’re working with the most iconic hot dog company in the country, turning this American favorite into a Meatless favorite,” The Meatless Farm Founder Morten Toft Bech said. “Increasingly more people are aware of the impact intensively farmed meat has on the planet and are now looking for fresh, good quality food that tastes amazing and not only helps protect our health, but the environment, too. This exciting partnership with Nathan’s Famous provides the opportunity to inspire a new generation of carbon-conscious consumers to eat more meat-less. More people making smaller changes will have a greater impact than a few making drastic ones.”

Photo credit: Ajay Suresh

Editor’s note: this story has been modified to include new information about Nathan’s Famous hot dog buns, which are not vegan as they contain butter. 

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