Hot Dog Vendor 69th and Fifth Ave

On no… he’s still there. But today, the dogs were cold. Maybe

Not here anymore

I’m not certain about the hot dogs on every corner in NYC, I mean really they aren’t that great. And I’m not going to start some hot dog war between another big city and NYC. I had 5 hot dogs in 4 days in the city and I kept wanting to be wow’d, I did not find any quality of hot dog that knocked my socks off. Caspers or Kaspers in the Bay Area is the best hot dog, hands down. This hot dog vendor on 69^th however is cheap.

On the Fourth day in NYC, I said, «I command Unilocal to lead me to the best rated Hot Dog on the Upper East Side.» Unilocal obeyed, and led me to the Hot Dog. I put it in my mouth, and that’s what happened. I inhaled the whole thang down. Then I looked at what I had done, and it was good.
I think the vendor’s secret must be either using Hebrew National or injecting liquid into the hot dog, because it’s so moist and juicy when you bite into it. The amount of condiments and kraut is just right.

I don’t care if it’s not in good taste to give a hot dog vendor 5 stars. When it’s an unseasonably warm and sunny November day in NYC, you’ve been up since 4am for the first flight outta Chicago and you want to wander Central Park but don’t think you can move because you haven’t eaten anything except the American Airlines cookie things, just *seeing* the hot dog vendor equals 5 stars in my book. For $ 2, I enjoyed my first real meal of the day and the first in NYC in 2 years — a dog with spicy mustard and sauerkraut. And it was good, people. Reeeal good. Made well enough that mustard didn’t squirt out all over me and peg me as the lame-​o Midwesterner posing as a slick kitty from the city for a day. Delicious enough to soothe my empty stomach (yes, it’s true — sauerkraut can soothe! Who knew?).
I think I mentioned in my Renegade Craft Fair review that I purchased an «I [picture of Chicago-​style hot dog] Chicago» t-​shirt, which has led my husband and me to add «I hot dog Chicago» to our vernacular. Now I can say I hot dog New York, too.

This is a nostalgia filled review.
I started working in the city in 98. I didn’t know the area. my job took me to 70^th and fifth, across the street from central park. Most times i wouldn’t have much cash in my pocket but there always was something to eat. This hot dog vendor would always be there. His cart always marked with the sign $ 1.00 HOT DOGS.
As i used to come here he became like my sustenance and a reliable food source. I was always glad he was there. He would give me some small talk. Always smiling «Whats up Boss?» There is not much to say about Hot Dog vendors really. Just that they are clean courteous, prompt and there. Oh, yeah Cheap too!
I was moved further uptown and have not come back to him in about 4 years. I came about today for some work, and went over to the corner and he was there. It almost made me cry! I went and got my usual hot dog. Usual because years ago, i would walk to his stand and with a nod, from afar he would ask if i wanted one. I would nod back and say yes. When i got to him it was ready! I miss that familiarity. Funny that up on the 80’s there’s no such cart. The ones at the Met are just overpriced for obvious reasons. But well. This one gets the starts… not 4 or 5 because its a hot dog stand. That’s as far as they go. Its all good, and life is normal for me to know that hes still around.