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Jason Spencer
Jason Spencer

Best hot dog in New York City

Ok, as a tourist we all want to try a good hot dog. I have been frequently dissapointed by the sidewalk vendors, who knows how they are cooked and stored.

I've heard good things about Gray's Papaya (though I thought they sold fruit!) and also Papaya King (enough with the Papaya).

Any tips from the locals? (and also include locations)
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
JVS my husband is a fan of Gray's Papaya dogs but since I dont really like hot dogs I cant vouch for them though apparently PDT the lounge bar in the East Village known for its innovative cocktails like the Dark and Stormy also has serves great hot dogs sourced from its annex called Crif's Dogs - Please Dont Tell ( PDT) is at a113 St Marks Place, (Between 1st Avenue & Avenue A) Phone- 212 614 0386 Enjoy!
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
My favoriute hotdogs are Nathan. There are not many places in NYC where you can get Nathan hotdogs except perhaps a grocery store.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Both Gray's Papaya and Papaya King show up in lots of these "Best Hot Dogs Ever" lists, so you weren't let astray (Papaya King is spicier, generally). Other favorites include Shake Shack (11 Madison Avenue) and Katz' Deli (205 East Houston Street). The latter is on many other food lists for their other excellent offerings, including my private list for the pastrami sandwiches.

Nathan's are not recommendable in any of their franchise locations (totally sub-standard stuff) but I hear tell that the original location at Coney Island stills serves hot dogs at the high quality that made them famous back in the day. You can get a map to show you where that superlative location is at:

http://www.nathansfamous.com/PageFetch/getpage.php?pgid=41&address=coney+island
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
Gray's Papaya is a must-stop for tourists who are craving hot dogs.

@uptowngirl I've consistently been happy with Crif Dogs on St. Marks; they deep-fry their hot dogs and their menu features original creations like a Philly cheesesteak hot dog, or you can get toppings like bacon and avocado.

If you're the sort of tourist who has been reading up on the American meat industry, then perhaps you'll be more interested in organic hot dogs... You used to be able to get one at Sparky's, but alas they have closed. If anyone knows where to get an organic hot dog prepared for you in this city I would really appreciate the feedback!
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
The only Nathan hotdogs that can be found in NYC is the processed ones found in the hotdog section of the gracery store. Those aren't as good as fresh ones found in some restaurants.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
So apparently some kids did DNA testing on hot dogs from street vendors as a project for school and were shocked to find out that the hot dogs are 100% pure beef. Score one for the hot dog cart vendors.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
Pure beef. Remind me not to buy hotdogs from a street vendor anymore. After my last exam, my doctor told me my colon was clean and he told me not to eat anything containing beef. This would keep my colon clean. So no more hotdogs on the street.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Yuck, hhusted. Can we move the colon discussion to a thread not involving food, please?
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
Can't you usually tell which hot dog vendors are selling pure beef dogs by which brand is printed on the umbrella? Sabrett hot dogs, for example, are all-beef.

I would assume there is some sort of law against selling hot dogs other than the brand you've got listed on your hot dog cart?
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
No, BroawayBK, I think the shock was that hot dogs that are sold as pure beef are indeed made of pure beef. Instead of having, like other weird mystery ingredients. We all suspect them of that, don't we?
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
If it says 100% pure beef but isn't, I am suing. So yes, I expect my food to be what it says it is. I am an intensive label reader.
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Magg
Magg 2yrs+
I love the hot dogs by the street vendors.. ! But I esp love those you buy in a diner when they are cooked on a grill and served on toasted hot dog bun.. oh my!
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
Hey, Uraniumfish, didn't mean to gross you out.
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MONUMENTAL
MONUMENTAL 2yrs+
I believe that a hot dog says a lot about a city.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
How so, Monumental?
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
What about cities that lack hot dogs?
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@NeverSleeps Does such a city exist?
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DBlack
DBlack 2yrs+
Such a city doesn't exist! What city doesn't have hot dogs?
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
I'm in Vienna now - stuck on layover - and they have these amazing Wurstels, which are sort of like hot dogs, only...not...the bun is served separately, and the sausage is much, much better!
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
Do they have hot dogs in Thailand? Japan? I thought hot dogs were sort of an American thing. I mean I'm sure you can find one somewhere but not to the degree that you can in NYC.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Surely the world over has dogs. Maybe with local variations, though? Like the wurstels that ajadeidealist mentioned.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
The best Wurstel here in Vienna is one where they inject cheese into it (actually INJECT) and then slice it....it's called a Kasekraner and it's amazing!
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
Thought you guys might appreciate this: http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/05/hot-dogs-around-the-world/

Not that it solves the "Do all cultures have hot dogs?" question.
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Benthedude
Benthedude 2yrs+
What is the best hot dog in Brooklyn? And don't tell me to go all the way down to coney island because that's way to far and we both know it.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK thanks for that .. I am going to do some research in Asia and see if they have their own version of hot dogs.. pork is big in China but I havent yet seen it in the form of a local sausage..will keep my eyes open and report back when I spot something.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
It's not a hot dog, per se, @Benthedude, but the sausage on a bun at Radegast Hall and Biergarten in Willyburg is pretty spectacular.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
Is there really a distance that is "way too far" when it comes to getting a hot dog!
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@Apparently yes, because I, like much everyone else around here, has never managed to go to Coney Island for those much-praised dogs, no matter how spectacular they might be.
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landee
landee 2yrs+
I usually hate eating hotdogs, but if i find a really good one while im in New York i'd surely start eating them again!
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Landee: I had a hotdog from a vendor, who was stationed next to the bus stop at Broadway and 34th. That hotdog was good. I normally don't eat beef hotdogs, but I was really hungry and didn't feel like waiting to go home and cook. So I grabbed one quick.
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landee
landee 2yrs+
@hhusted I'm going to look that street up, see if it is near the area i will be in. Thanks!
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
Aren't beef hot dogs the preferable kind?
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Landee even I don't usually eat hot dogs but a slice of NY style pizza i just cant resist.. oh my!
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish My excuse for not going to Coney Island for a hot dog is that I can't get anyone to go with me. Not that I wouldn't go down there for one.
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