Maine's Only Red Snapper Hot Dog Maker Sees Demand Skyrocket

W.A. Bean & Sons from Bangor is cranking out a lot of the Maine red hot dog - the red snapper.

According to the Bangor Daily News, W.A. Bean & Sons has seen production of the red snapper hot dog shoot up 70% in the past 10 years.

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W.A. Bean & Sons is cranking out around 650,000 to 700,000 pounds of red dogs a year according to the general manager Sean Smith. Ten years ago that figure was around 400,000 pounds a year.

Why is Maine's hot dog called a red snapper?

All you have to do is eat one to know. First, it's the color red. Actually, it's more of a fluorescent red thanks to the dye used. Then the thick casing gives the dog a very loud snap when you bite into it. That equals = red snapper.

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Covid can't keep a good dog down.

The stories are endless about companies that not only suffered during the epidemic but didn't survive. Demand for red snappers never wavered. The red snapper is as much a part of Maine as is blueberries, lobster, whoopie pies, and Moxie.

W.A. Bean & Sons has been around since 1860 and is family-owned. They are the last Maine company still making the red snappers (along with other kinds of sausages and meats). The GM Sean Smith told the Bangor Daily News,

We’re still a local company and the last one standing in Maine. We’re known for a good, quality product and it’s a product we take a lot of pride in. It’s the taste of home for a lot of people. If you’re from Maine, you know what a red snapper is.

They are even here in Southern Maine. 90% of Hannaford's carry their red snappers. Well, I know what you're having for dinner tonight.