Get the Recession Special, of course—two franks, one drink, these days $5.95—on offer here since the Koch years, squeeze into a spot at the counter, and taste the New York City of legend. Read more.
The sublime Spicy Redneck ($4.75), for example, is a house dog wrapped in bacon and topped with cole slaw, chili, and jalapeños, but every bite is in harmony, the whole obviously prepared with love. Read more.
Their dogs come nestled inside some excellent Balthazar brioche buns, and the toppings are infallibly appropriate, though my favorite is probably the simple Bratwurst/Kraut/Mustard "Classic" ($7). Read more.
The poutines and brisket get most of the attention here (and rightly so), the Hoyt Dog ($8) definitely deserves some love too. Read more.
The Feltman's all-beef frank has perfect snap and a real depth of flavor that doesn't get lost whether topped with pungent grilled sauerkraut ($4) or smokey chili ($6). Read more.
Everything on the menu at beer-geek bar Torst is fantastic, and the Hot Dog ($12) is no exception. Try one of Torst's 21 beers on tap, but also practically a full meal in itself. Read more.
Among other Jewish deli delights, this platonic ideal of the NYC Frankfurter ($3.95). Wonderfully charred, bursting with meat juice, covered with a hefty helping of kraut, Read more.
The Great Dane ($8) is the best choice here, with a beef- and pork-frank topped with spiced ketchup, mustard, onion, remoulade, pickled cucumbers, and crisp shallots. Read more.
The Slaw Dog ($4.50) 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. Read more.
If you can get to this vibrant homage to the classic NYC Jewish deli during the day, then definitely get anything with pastrami and one these Hot Dogs ($3.67). Read more.
The Basque Dogs ($8.50) at Huertas is made with chistorra sausage (pork and paprika) and slathered with both a smooth white aioli and a chunky, sweet, and tangy piquillo mostardo sauce. Read more.
