Best Hot Dogs in NYC

With warmer weather you’re bound to be walking around New York City taking in the sights and smells. As you meander the streets you’ll encounter plenty of sidewalk food carts selling classic New York food like pretzels and hot dogs! But before you decide where to go, check out our guide of a few of New York’s best hot dogs.

Where else would you expect a world class dog, but on Coney Island. Nathan’s Famous frank joint opened in 1916, when Nathan Handwerker took out a $300 loan and his wife’s recipe to sell five-cent hotdogs on the boardwalk of Coney Island. Today the original subway tiles and iconic signage decorate the restaurant, and while the menu has stayed true to its roots in many ways there are new additions. Nathan’s Famous still draws crowds and even hosts a hot dog eating contest on the 4th of July.

1310 Surf Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11224

Katz’s is another well-known and deeply loved Lower East Side spot. The deli counter here is low maintenance, but high on quality meats— and this includes the hot dog. Katz’s all-beef frankfurter comes lightly charred with natural casing and is seasoned with garlic, salt and paprika. The deli sauerkraut adds crispy acid to the tangy mustard, together it feels like New York in a bite!

205 E Houston St

New York, NY 10002

Named after a film starring Al Pacino, this hot dog is as much a classic as the actor. In a twist, however, Dog Day Afternoon does Chicago-style hot dogs. This dog is made from Vienna beef and served up with all the Chicago favorite condiments like with fresh tomatoes, onions, Sport peppers and a Kosher pickle. This is not your average NYC dog. It’s Chicago by way of Brooklyn!

266 Prospect Park West

New York, NY 11215

Dickson’s is about as local a dog as one can get. This Chelsea Market farmstand makes its dogs onsite with 80 percent lean dry-aged beef and 20 percent Berkshire-pork back fat. They source their meat from small New York State farms. These gourmet dogs are smoked over hickory and apple wood; and they’re also special because of the preserved chilies that come with the Kewpie mayo creating a spicy-creamy combo for toppings.

Chelsea Market

75 Ninth Ave., at 15th St.

New York, NY 10011

If you’re looking to go upscale with your hotdog, New York is of course the place to do it. And Please Don’t Tell (PDT) is your spot. The hotdog craze at the hip cocktail bar PDT started because the original PDT was located inside of Crif Dogs on St. Marks Place. The secrecy was wild, you entered a phone booth in Crif Dogs and inquired about seating and then you had to wait to see if you could get in for a cocktail or two. Of course during the wait time, what better to do then grab a hot dog? Crif Dogs serves up Jersey-style hot dogs but PDT has elevated the common dog to cult status and offers several including a bacon-wrapped hot dog with kimchi named after the Momofuku founder and restaurateur, David Chang. All this while sipping one of the city’s most coveted cocktails!

Crif Dogs/ PDT

113 St. Marks Pl., near Ave. A

New York, NY 10009

On the opposite end of the spectrum from PDT, are the many hot dog carts that dot New York City’s streets especially along the edges of Central Park. While they may be hit or miss, the hits are favorites and the experience is bound to be genuine. For a few reviews of the best hot dog stands, check out Yelp.

The Lombardy Hotel’s timeless elegance is iconic to Midtown Manhattan. Our rooms are spacious, comfortable and thoughtfully designed to make you feel at home. We look forward to hosting you on your next visit to New York City.

*Due to Covid-19 our restaurant, cafe and gym will remain closed for a time.