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When it comes to New York, the city can be defined by showcasing some of the most delicious hot dogs in the world. We are not talking about fancy gourmet hot dogs that are so decorated with toppings that they no longer qualify as a hot dog. No, we are talking about the most basic hot dog money can buy. We are talking about a frankfurter on a bun with mustard, sauerkraut, and or onions. That’s the way New Yorkers love their hot dogs. This list will present the best brand hot dogs that New Yorkers love along with the places to get these hot dogs. In some cases they will be specific places, in other cases, it will simply be a brand that can be brought anywhere. New York is always defined by its pizza and bagels. Yet, hot dogs are also a big part of the New York experience.
Like we said in the intro we are keeping this list to just the places that sell hot dogs the way they are supposed to be served. No frills, just mustard, sauerkraut or onions. That’s it! Here are the best ones that are the real deal.
# 5 – Katz’s Delicatessen
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We open up our Ranking New York’s Best Hot Dogs list with one of the most famous places in New York, thanks to Meg Ryan. Nonetheless, Katz’s Delicatessen has become one of the most popular tourist spots in lower Manhattan. Besides being famous for their role in When Harry Met Sally, the restaurant serves maybe the most amazing pastrami sandwich you will ever try. It will also cost you thirty dollars. So with a basic sandwich costing that much, it should not surprise you that their hot dogs sell for fourteen dollars a dog. That’s the most expensive hot dog we have ever paid for that was basically just a hot dog on a bun. Is it worth the price? Well, let’s just say, it’s a fantastic hot dog with more crunch to it than any other dog we have tasted in the city. But of course your also paying for the experience of going to Katz’s. In the end, it’s a great hot dog that deserves to be on this list.
# 4 – Feltman’s Coney Island
Photo: a katz / Shutterstock.com
While Nathans at Coney Island gets all the publicity for their legendary hot dogs,(deservedly so) one can’t forget to mention the one that’s named as the original. Feltman’s Hot Dogs at Coney Island have been around since 1867. Feltman’s smokes their hot dogs that are made of all beef. The result is a flavor that will lift your body off the ground in an air of total happiness. These are great hot dogs.
# 3 – Hebrew National At Ben’s Kosher Delicatessens
Photo: Alan Budman / Shutterstock.com
If you have never been to Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen restaurant on Long Island you are missing out on some great food. Ben’s has restaurants in Woodbury, Carle Place, and Greenvale on Long Island. There is also one in Manhattan and Queens. They serve sensational food and some of the best pastrami and corned beef sandwiches you can find in New York. Nonetheless, our favorite item at Ben’s has always been their hot dogs. They keep them hot rolling on metal rods that seem to keep the flavor fresh at just the right temperature. This is the way to serve great Hebrew National Hot Dogs
# 2 – Nathans’s Hot Dogs At Coney Island
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If there ever was a famous Hot Dog from New York that is known around the county it’s Nathan’s Hot Dogs served at Coney Island. Are they as good as their reputation? Let me tell you something my friend, they are better! Coney Island is one of the most famous food locations not only in Brooklyn, not only in New York but in the entire world. Having a hot dog at Coney Island will feel like an accomplishment. It’s like visiting the Eifel Tower, Niagra Falls etc…. Yes, I know it may sound crazy but this is New York baby. Of course, it’s not the greatest neighborhood in the city, so you might want to be pretty careful.
Despite the thrill of the location, the reason we put this so high is that a Nathan’s Hot Dog purchased at Coney Island is simply fabulous. They cook them on the grill which adds to the taste of the dog. They sell so many there, customers are always assured of getting fresh hot dogs. In the end, it also comes down to what’s put in that dog at the factory. We have no idea, but whatever they’re doing, they make it taste so good. There are multiple sites in New York that sell Nathan’s Hot Dogs like they do at Coney Island. One of the best moves the New York Yankees have done in the past ten years is to start serving Nathan’s Hot Dogs at Yankee Stadium.
Consumers can purchase Nathans Hot Dogs at the supermarket. If you do, we recommend you grill them instead of boiling them. That’s the way they were made to be served. If you are ever in New York, a trip to Coney Island and that famous stand will be well worth your time.
# 1 – Sabrett Hot Dogs
Photo: Ameer Mussard-Afcari / Shutterstock.com
There are probably many people outside of New York that may have heard New Yorkers utilizing the term “dirty water dogs.” For those wondering what that term may mean, its simply a term of endearment for what most New Yorkers describe as their favorite Hot Dog of all time. While many will still pick Nathan’s Hot Dogs at Coney Island, there are probably more that will choose the most spectacular hot dog you will ever experience on the streets of New York.
Sabrett Hot Dogs are thin but long hot dogs that are served from Hot Dog street carts across New York City. hey can also be brought in supermarkets, but somehow they just don’t taste the same as they do from the hot dog stands. There is a good reason for this.
The small little hot dog stands are usually defined by a big yellow and blue umbrella standing above the small hot dog stand. These hot dogs are kept in very hot water all day and night long. This is where the term “dirty water dog” comes from. Most people think that the water just keeps getting dirtier all day which adds to the wonderful taste of the dogs. Of course, there is an organization called the Board Of Health In New York who are very tough on these vendors, but who knows what really goes on. If you’re a New Yorker, you build up a lot of immunity to many things that may take down a visitor. This may be one of them. But nonetheless, they just taste so good.
I made a video of these wonderful hot dogs below. This stand was right across from the beginning of Central Park.
Ranking New York’s Best Hot Dogs article published on BigCityReview.com© 2022
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