Silly i know & not a 'serious' indepth topic, but it has occured to me (after just watching a show on Hot Dogs on the Travel & Living chanel) that on our previous two trips to NYC we failed to have a hot dog.

We also haven't been to Coney Island, is that where we should head to try a hot dog? and are the street vendors a safe alternative???

AD

Here is a list of some of the better hot dogs:

Nathan's
Hebrew National
Criff's (This is one store on the East Village the fries them. (Unusual)
Sabretts (What most street vendors sell)
Gray's Papaya (Small local chain that is known for their franks and their fruit drinks hence the name. Local Instiution.

In NYC we affectionately call hot dogs sold from street vendors, also called franks (from frankfurter) dirty water dogs. The are kept in hot water for long periods of time. There are street vendors who will grill them. The problem with the grill is that they are too long and one side will become crunchy

It is a long subway ride to Nathan's in Coney Island. But if you do go there also get the french fries.

A comparison study will be the cheapest way to eat your way through NYC.

I'd go for Gray's Papaya or Papaya King (various locations all over).

If from a street vendor go for the grilled ones (as opposed to steamed/boiled ones).

Gray's Papaya on 8th Ave between Penn Station and Port Authority.

Thin

I like Gray's Papay at Broadway & 72 st. (but in fairness have not tried the one at Penn station). I've heard from a hot dog connoisseur that Crif's is awesome but they're.... fried?
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/192758

I would only eat them at Nathan's or a kosher/kosher style deli (2nd Ave deli, Katz', etc.) Of course if you went to a deli, you really should try a pastrami or corned beef sandwich (or get one and a hot dog and share).

I know I may be in the minority here, but you couldn't pay me enough to eat a hot dog from a street vendor - I also wouldn't eat a boiled hot dog anywhere. Sorry, but I grew up on Nathan's.

I agree with centralparkgirl...

Katz for a hot dog appetizer and a pastrami on rye, mustard and half sour pickles...

Nathan's - meh...

I knew I would get some great responses. Thanks, & i will be sure to let you know what we thought (must say I was a little dubious re street vendors, thanks for confirming)

Sorry but us 'aussies' don't get your deli type sandwhich's. The amount of meat on one sandwich would feed a family of four here. We end up removing most of the meat.

My favorite is Katz Deli: http://www.katzdeli.com

I know you asked about hot dogs, but since others are chiming in about delis, I agree -- go to Katz' -- (and why a half sour pickle? What's wrong with a SOUR pickle????). I'll try to find my post that explains "how" to eat at Katz'.

As for hot dogs, I LOVE Nathan's (grew up eating them at the old Nathans in Oceanside). Is there nowhere in the city to get Nathan's hot dog and fries anymore (their fries are fabulous)? I also love Hebrew National (that's what we have at home), and Grey's Papaya's are very very good, too. I haven't had a boiled hot dog since summer camp!

I prefer 2nd Ave Deli over Katz's. But I would never waste a visit to either for a frank. It is the pastrami, corned beef, tongue and the side dishes at 2nd Avenue and that is the side dishes which separates the two.

My high school was just a few blocks from the Nathan's in Coney Island. But I wille eat just about any kosher frank and some others. I will not eat a frank that is as pale as a Jehovah's Witness in the winter.

And while you are in NYC do not forget to try a real bagel, knish, and pizza.

Actually, if you haven't tried the franks at 2nd Avenue Deli, you haven't lived. I used to live across the street from them, when they WERE on 2nd Avenue, and at least once a week I'd have "one, well done, with mustard and cole slaw" - the counter guys taught me - that was the way to eat them. They were right. delicious.

Don't bother with Coney Island - it's a t least an hour from midtown - and not a very salubrious area.

Suggest you go to Grey's Papaya for a couple of dogs.

The ones on the street are - well street food. You pays your money and takes your chance.

mp - 'well done' - you bringing me back to my childhood - love it!

The owners of the 2nd Ave Deli just bought the Wicked Wolf building on 1st and 75th and will be opening an outpost around the summer. It will be a great addition to the UES.

I was in Manhattan for the first time last year. I tried Greys Papaya and Papaya King and liked them both very much. I actually tried them repeatedly because there cheap and darn good. The one thing I kept coming back for was the Papaya drinks, there amazing! But I thought Sobretts from the carts on the street were excellent. I ate allot of street food while I was there and had no problems so dont be afraid.

I have tried Nathans here in Phoenix and in Vegas and was very unimpressed. Its pretty much just a plain hot dog. I would rather have the kosher dog from the grill at Costco.

Enjoy all the food in NYC its all great. The pizza and deli's are really fantastic so dont miss either.

Have a great time, mscmkr

Thank you one and all. And sf7307........
"I'll try to find my post that explains "how" to eat at Katz'"
can't wait.

"should this Aussie try her first hot dog" "Silly i know & not a 'serious' topic"

Does this mean you've never had a hot dog? I'd say that's quite serious indeed!

Definitely follow Aduchamp1's advice.

I would rather have the kosher dog from the grill at Costco.

Costco's kosher dogs are excellent!

It took me awhile, but I found it:

The Katz' "system" is extremely confusing, so here goes. First of all the table service is against the left wall -- the rest of the main room and the back room (I think) are for self-service customers. You definitely want to do self-serve, table service is for those who can't serve themselves (disabled, old, etc.).

When you enter, each person in your party gets a little ticket like an old-fashioned movie ticket. Then you go to the sandwich counter (on your right) and pick a line. Each server has his own line (none of the red rope, bank-teller type line here). You order from the server. Tell him what you want and he'll give you a taste of everything (even tuna in my daughter's case). Put $1.00 in his tip bowl, and make sure he sees you doing it -- it'll make the difference between a skinny sandwich and one that can feed two or three people LOL! If you want soup, he'll get that for you, too. Then he marks on the little ticket everything you ordered. BUT NOTE, drinks and french fries (which are excellent) are at a different line, so split up --- one person to get sandwiches and soup, one to get french fries and drinks and one to scout out a table!

When you're done, you head for the cashier where you turn in all your little tickets, even those that are blank, and they figure out what you owe (sort of little deli-dim sum).

Hope that helps. The food is worth it. Oh, one more thing - if you order pastrami or corned beef, ask for extra-lean. I think its $1.00 extra, but it's worth it.

Not fair, aussiedreamer, I want a hot dog too! Are they better in NYC? Please do a hot dog trip report when you return!