Behold the high-class version of New York’s beloved dirty water dog. Like street tacos in Los Angeles or the cubano sandwiches of Miami, there’s immeasurable pleasure in stuffing your face on a crowded sidewalk with meat whose origins hail from parts unknown.
Perhaps it’s the fact that inhaling a cylindrical tube in less than a New York minute is a completely acceptable and efficient dining practice. Or maybe it’s the fact that our city’s history as a haven for sausage-loving nations like Germany, Italy, and Poland makes the modern hot dog a natural fit with millennial diners.
Whatever the rationale, the hot dog was in fine form this past Sunday at the New York City Wine and Food Festival, where Andrew Zimmern hosted a tasting. While the records show that Rosamunde Sausage Grill’s cheddar-infused brat topped with sauerkraut and grilled onions was the official top dog for 2015, the variety of styles, from spicy Colombian dogs with jalapeños to classic creamy cheddar and bacon, makes it clear the renaissance of the ballpark frank is in full swing.
Check out the following photos for a glimpse of the city’s best dog show this side of the Westminster Kennel Club:
Mozzarella and tomato, a pairing that always works
