What Kind Of Meat Does Culver's Use For Its Corn Dogs?

Culver's is renowned for its ButterBurgers, creamy frozen custard, and gooey cheese curds. However, there's a deep-fried staple hiding on its menu that deserves a spotlight of its own: the corn dog. A carnival classic that may stir up childhood memories of state and county fair visits, the item is coated in a crispy, slightly sweet honey batter. But, as is the case with born corn dogs and people, it's what's on the inside that counts. So, what type of meat is nestled in this snack on a stick?

At Culver's, every corn dog starts with a traditional frankfurter that's primarily made of pork. According to the chain's 2022 ingredient guide, it may contain up to 2% beef as well. As Mashed reviewer Sam Zwick noted in his comparison of Culver's versus Sonic corn dogs, the frank makes for a lighter and slightly less bold bite, flavor-wise, than an all-beef hot dog (which Sonic uses). Some customers may prefer its softer flavor profile when paired with the richness of Culver's double-dipped and deep-fried shell. The saltiness of the pork also serves as a contrast to the sweetness of the honey batter. 

Culver's sources its corn dogs from Monogram Foods, a national food manufacturer and longtime partner of the fast food chain. Boasting outposts across the Midwest, Monogram Foods also produces Culver's bacon, cheese curds, and onion rings. Notably, it received a Brand Protection Award from the restaurant for the consistent quality of its products. Indeed, the corn dogs have earned high praise from some customers. "Culver's corn dogs are LEGIT state fair quality," wrote one user on Reddit. In the same thread, someone who had posted a photo of their own corn dog order (complete with a side of cheese sauce) shared, "These are deep fried and crispy. The store bought ones have nothing on these!"

Despite inspiring rave reviews, the corn dogs have seemed to fly under the radar of some Culver's patrons. Multiple comments in the aforementioned Reddit thread came from people who didn't even realize the chain sold this item. Perhaps it's because this food isn't at the forefront of the brand's marketing, or maybe the fact that it's on the kids' menu makes people pass over it. However, Culver's does appear to offer a corn dog value basket on its regular menu as well. In addition to fries and a drink, the meal comes with ketchup, mustard, or both for dipping. However, you could also opt for the signature Wisconsin cheese sauce. Made from sharp cheddar, it's just the thing to add richness while cutting through the fattiness of the fried dough and pork.