There are plenty of foods that define New York City. But, if we were forced to pick one menu item supreme in its New York-ness, it would have to be the hot dog. It’s as iconic a NYC dish as a slice of pizza or a bagel with a schmear. So it’s no surprise that folks love to make lists of the best frankfurter offerings. So, where to find best hot dog in New York City? Here are 5 awesome hot dogs worth wolfing down.
1Gray’s Papaya
You can’t get any more fundamental than Gray’s Papaya when it comes to indigenous New York hot dogs: slender, natural-skinned franks made in New Jersey; a puffy white bun; and your choice of sauerkraut, mustard, and stewed onions, washed down with chalky fruit drinks. Open 24 hours at the iconic Upper West Side corner of Broadway and 72nd Street.
2Crif Dogs
A petulant old-timer — which also spawned cocktail lounge PDT in its East Village incarnation — Crif Dogs is famous for deep-frying its franks, Jersey style, after wrapping them in bacon or Taylor ham. One favorite is the morning Jersey, featuring a runny fried egg and melted cheese food product in addition to its snuggly blanket of Taylor ham. The newer Williamsburg location is livelier and more comfortable.
3Katz’s Delicatessen
The iconic eats at this legendary Lower East Side deli counter have always been of the no-frills sort, from the hulking piles of peppery pastrami to the Swiss-and-sauerkraut rueben. The hot dog is no exception: The all-beef frankfurter is seasoned deeply with garlic, salt and paprika beneath its firm, lightly charred natural casing. A traditional topper of zesty golden mustard and tangy kraut adds some bright acidity inside a soft, humble split bun.
4Sons of thunder
It makes sense when you think about it, that coleslaw would be a nice topping when you’re tired of the usual kraut, and there’s nowhere in town that does this combo better than Sons of Thunder, a poke place (of all things) on an uninviting block in Murray Hill. The Slaw Dog features an all-beef frank, cooked until the skin is blistered, smothered in cool, creamy, and well-carawayed coleslaw, with enough mustard lying in wait for extra zing. Makes you think that the slaw dog should be more of a thing!
5Kings of Kobe
Sure, at around $10 the hot dogs are pricey here, made wholly of American wagyu beef. But the casings are seductively dark and glossy, the forcemeat inside oozing juices. They’re available in several configurations, including my favorite banh mi dog. It comes with the usual Vietnamese toppings slathered with sriracha mayo.
Where to find best hot dog in New York City?