On hot dogs and being loved.
Crif Dogs, East Village.
I’ve been slacking on the hot dog front, but in my defense, a high hot dog intake is hard to keep up. For those of you who aren’t aware, a week ago I turned twenty-four.
Because of this, all of my friends were very kind (my roommates decorated the apartment while I was at work!), and they followed me as I pursued my whims, including finally, finally going to Crif Dogs — the first hot dog spot recommended to me when I jokingly said I wanted to try every hot dog in NYC. Thank you, Lily and Izzy!
Crif Dogs
East Village
Hot dog spot serving a variety of dogs with unique toppings and bacon-wrapped dogs.
Price: $$
What it’s good for: Being the happiest girl in the world. Also, nights out — they’re open ‘til 3 a.m. on weekends.
A better than average hot dog in a perfectly soft bun. That would have been enough to rank high on my list, with a slight snap and a meaty bite.
What sets it apart is the toppings. Now, flashy toppings do not a hot dog make. I’ve had some where the flavors don’t meld or the individual flavors disappear into each other. Crif Dogs has its standout toppings down to an art.
I had the elote dog — it was wrapped in a thin slice of bacon cooked crisp enough to add the perfect crunch when you bite into it without being overwhelming. It felt more like an extension of the hot dog itself than an addition.
The chipotle mayo, corn, and Cotija cheese were all perfectly piled on. Not so much that it was spilling off of the hot dog but more than enough to appreciate the flavors and how each ingredient played off of the others.
Much of Crif Dogs’ menu plays off of tried and true flavor combinations that, while they might be rare to see piled onto a frankfurter and bun, are easily appealing, and they execute them perfectly. My friends (pictured above) who went with me both got different hot dogs than I did and loved them and had similar praises that I did.
Crif Dogs has several happy hour and late night deals, and, while it adds up quickly if you’re getting drinks and sides and tipping generously, they have cheaper options, and, most importantly, the hot dog is filling and the sides are generously portioned.
I’m so, so happy that I finally got around to this spot, and it was more than worth the trip. It’s perfect to start — or end — a night out. As for me, Jazmine, and Daniel, we went to the nearby Beauty Bar right after for $10 martinis and manicures. If you like hot dogs and strong drinks, it’s a recipe for a perfect night out.
What else I tried:
The East Village tots were heaping with cheese sauce and jalapeños. Generously portioned, these were perfect for sharing and flavor packed.
The spicy marg I had was not frozen yet, but it was still stellar with an actual kick and a good balance between the lime and tequila.
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Watch the review
I’ll be eating at least two hot dogs this week. I might hold one of the reviews for a special occasion. I won’t say where I’ll be eating, but here’s a hint: I’ll be watching the Coney Island fireworks this Friday.
As for being twenty-four, it’s neat to be an age that’s divisible by twelve. More importantly, thank you to my friends (and my mom!) for making my birthday very, very special.
Some of you already know that the end of June is always difficult for me. My dad died on June 27, 2020 and it’s always painful but only because I loved and was loved so much that the loss still hurts all these years later. His birthday is tomorrow.
And on being loved, what a lovely reminder these past two weeks have been that I am loved and appreciated. From my best friend flying cross-country to see me for my birthday to being surprised all day with my favorite foods on the anniversary of his death and so many friends spending both of those days with me.
There’s so much more that I can’t possibly list every way I’ve felt supported and celebrated without it being a newsletter of its own, but I love and cherish everyone I’ve spent these past two weeks with.
Thank you all for reading as always.
The Full Rankings
Check out the full sheet of hot dog rankings and scores.