Best Dirty water hot dog in New York City

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A New York institution since 1933; while the hot dog is a standard style, the experience of eating a free frank in a red-vinyl booth while sipping a $5 beer is the ultimate budget NYC hack. — Hell's Kitchen

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Go

Any time—they are a legendary dive bar.

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$

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One of the last remaining 24-hour diners in Manhattan, Sarge's cures their own meats on-site; their pastrami is classic, old-school, and served in a nostalgic booth-lined setting that feels frozen in the 1960s. — Murray Hill

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Any time—they are open 24/7.

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$$$

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The spiritual birthplace of the American hot dog; since 1916, this original location has served snap-cased all-beef franks that set the global standard. Eating a Nathan's dog on the boardwalk is the city’s most nostalgic summer ritual. — Coney Island (Surf & Stillwell)

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Weekday mid-day; July 4th is the famous eating contest but is extremely crowded.

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$

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This is the quintessential "dirty water" dog experience; look for the blue and yellow Sabrett umbrella. These franks are simmered in salted water and served with tangy "onion sauce," mustard, and kraut. — Upper East Side (5th Ave & 82nd)

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Right after the museum closes (17:00).

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$

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The undisputed king of New York pastrami since 1888; their brisket is cured for 30 days and hand-carved to order by legendary "cutters." The result is a thick, juicy sandwich that is the city’s single most iconic meal. Don't lose your ticket given at the entrance. — Lower East Side

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Weekday mid-afternoon (15:00) to avoid the legendary queue.

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$$$

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A reliable alternative to Gray’s that caters to the West Village bar and jazz club crowds; it offers the same juice-and-frank format in a no-frills, bright-neon setting. — West Village (6th Ave & W 4th)

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Late night.

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$

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A Manhattan legend immortalized in film; Gray’s is famous for its "Recession Special" (two dogs and a drink). Their franks are griddled, giving them a distinct snap that contrasts with the softer "dirty water" cart versions. — Upper West Side (72nd & Broadway)

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Any time; it is a high-volume, quick-stop location.

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$

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An outdoor sausage bar from the legendary German butcher Schaller & Weber; they offer high-end, European-style wursts and franks with traditional German toppings like kraut and curry sauce. — Upper East Side

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Lunch.

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$$

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After the closure of their historic corner, the King has returned to the Upper East Side; they remain the purist’s choice for the fruit-juice-and-frank combo, serving high-quality all-beef dogs with a snap that has defined NYC street food for nearly a century. — Upper East Side (New Location)

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Lunch.

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A primary fueling station for families entering Central Park; it serves the classic, consistent Sabrett frankfurter that has been the city's street staple since 1926. — Midtown (5th Ave & 64th)

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Mid-day.

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$

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For those who want to know exactly where their meat came from, Dickson’s offers a "craft" hot dog made on-site from locally sourced, pasture-raised beef; it is significantly more artisanal than the standard street dog. — Chelsea Market

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Lunch.

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The city's premier destination for authentic Chicago-style hot dogs (served with neon-green relish and celery salt on a poppy seed bun). It is a rare, high-quality outsider in the NYC hot dog world. — Greenwich Village

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Lunch.

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Serving Venezuelan-style hot dogs ("Perros Calientes") topped with cabbage, onions, parmesan cheese, and signature corn-based "Santa Salsa," representing the diverse immigrant influences on NYC street food. — Bushwick (Brooklyn)

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Evening.

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A modern East Village icon that deep-fries their bacon-wrapped dogs; they offer a "maximalist" approach with toppings like avocado and fried eggs, representing the creative, punk-rock side of New York street food. — East Village (St. Marks Place)

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Late night; the East Village energy is at its peak after 22:00.

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$$

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Specializing in American Wagyu beef franks, this spot offers a "gourmet" hot dog experience with complex toppings like caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese, and spicy slaw. — Hell's Kitchen

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Early dinner.

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$$

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