192758 Fri Nov 09 11:17:22 -0800 2001 11 18 Manhattan 0 1029183 Thanks to an earlier recommendation on this board, my wife and I checked out Crif Dogs (St. Marks between 1st & A) last night, and had some of the tastiest hot dogs we'd ever eaten. The basic Crif Dog is smoked and deep fried. You can also order a "New Yorker", all beef and grilled until crispy on the outside. I highly recommend the Chili Dog. The Sourcheese (half-sour pickles and cheese) Dog was okay, but would have been much better if they had used real cheese instead of the Nacho-Cheese-Wizzy stuff. That Chili Dog more than made up for it though... Brian Fri Nov 09 11:17:22 -0800 2001 0 Brian Lindauer 1 1029189 Really? You liked 'em? I didn't think Grif's Dogs were so hot. I thought they were pretty flavorless. I went on Sunday and was as disappointed by them, as I was by the "Grilled Cheese" place on Ludlow street. When a restaurant specializes in just one dish, I expect it to be pretty, well, special. It's off topic, but the Grilled Cheese at "Grilled Cheese" isn't even grilled! It's toasted. On too-thick bread, for that matter. But I digress. Fri Nov 09 12:05:26 -0800 2001 1029183 0 Lila 2 1029475 Sorry you didn't like the dog you had on Sunday. As per your special comment, I have to tell you that I visited many, many hot dog places all over the country before I selected this dog. The basic Crif Dog is not available anywhere in NYC or New York, that I know of, and it was on Gourmet Magazine's 10 best hot dogs in the USA list. This dog was selected as the Crif Dog because of its subtle flavor and the fact that the dog is made to be deep fried exclusively. The light smokey flavor is the perfect underpinning to some of our home made toppings like the chili and our off the menu house relish. Because I know that a lot of New Yorkers are so used to a boldly garlicky hot dog, they wouldn't take to the Crif Dog. That's cool. We serve our "new yorker" for just that reason. The new yorker is that snappy garlicky all-beef dog maybe you were expecting. Whatever the case, I stand by the dogs I have selected to represent Crif Dogs and I'd hope you give us a full try before you dismiss us to the rest of the street-level gourmands out there. But, as they say you can't please all of the people all of the time. Crif Dog Sun Nov 18 14:26:47 -0800 2001 1029189 0 chris antista 1 2304706 I gave this place a try a few times for a quick bite before meeting friends for drinks. First off, I'm not a neat freak, but this place is kinda dirty. But, whatever. I worry about hot dogs that have no flavor and rely on their toppings to be good. I tried the New Yorker on the last visit, but it still wasn't floating my hot dog boat. I know from dogs. I eat them wherever I go. I've had the best and the worst. So, Crifdogs gets a C-. Sorry, dude, but having a hot dog personae isn't the same as ahaving a hot diggity dawg that people love. I'm sure they'll do fine with all the people who love to pretend they know from dogs. Sun Feb 18 11:53:37 -0800 2007 1029183 75565 blowthisclambake 2 2306264 Have been there a few times, and have never noticed the place to be dirty at all. Quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. I'm wondering what you mean when you say "dirty"? I like the dogs I've tried there, to varying degrees. Liked the NY Dog, the Bacon-Wrapped Dog to a lesser extent - I felt it to be overkill, but that's just my taste. Is it the best dog out there, especially in a part of the country that includes myriad Jersey dogs, rippers and what-not? I'd say no. That said, I think they make a good dog, and I hardly think it's necessary to insinuate that anyone who might like a place that you don't care for is a person who "pretends to know from dogs". P. Mon Feb 19 06:20:45 -0800 2007 2304706 24813 Polecat 1 2304739 I'm no hot dog connoseiur, but I love Crif Dogs. Give me a Chihuahua and some Orange Crush, sit me down at the video game table and I'll be a very happy girl. Sun Feb 18 12:09:04 -0800 2007 1029183 58924 eating me 1 2304784 I agree- the chihuahua is amazing! a hotdog wrapped in bacon and deep fried, topped with avocado and sour cream? Genius! Sun Feb 18 12:34:14 -0800 2007 1029183 75413 gonzo99 1 2305300 The basic dog used at Crif's may be an aquired taste, especially for New Yorkers. In Jersey, this dog is very common. It is a Thumanns dog that is specially made for deep frying. Thumanns also makes a kosher style all beef dog, which is served at Crif's and called a New Yorker. Their best dog, in my opinion, is their griller. This is a natural casing German style beef and pork dog that has more flavor than the deep fry dog and tastes best on the griddle. You can get these dogs in many supermarkets in the blue and white package. If you are in N.J. there are a slew of places that serve the same dog as Crif's. Let me name a few. Rutts Hut, Hirams, Hot Dog Heaven, Goffle Grill, Johnny & Hanges, Libby's, Falls View, Pappy's Diner, and the Corral. The dog that was listed as one of Gourmet Magazines best was Rutt's Hut. Out of all of the places named that use the Thumanns deep fryer, Rutt's does it best. In fact, if the owner of Crifs is honest, he will admit that Rutt's was the inspiration for Crif Dogs. The reasons why Rutts is the best of the places that serve this dog is 1) you can get your dog fried to different degrees of doneness. Most places just fry the dog to heat it through. At Rutts, this is called an "in an outer". Most dogs are fried until the skin rips. This is called a "ripper". My favorite is a "weller" or well done dog. They also serve a dog called a cremator that is almost black. This is awful and tastes like shoe leather. But some like it. 2) The dogs taste better at Rutts because they are fried in beef tallow. Other places that use this dog fry it in vegetable oil for health reasons. Like hot dogs are healthy anyway. The beef tallow gives the Rutts dog a better flavor. 3) Rutts has a unique homemade relish that is the best hot dog condiment I've had and I've been to over 200 different hot dog establishments. The dog contains 2 extra ingredients that aid in frying. The dog picks up some of the flavor of the oil. The result is a mild, but tasty dog that has a tough exterior and soft tasty meat inside. Many people considere Rutt's the best hot dog in America. Crif's is a pretty good imitation. They leave the dog in the oil more than a lot of Jersey places that undercook it. They also have pretty good condiments, but no relish compares to Rutts. Another thing about this particular dog is that people either love it or hate it. Those that don't like it consider it too bland. I would try it again, but order it well done. Hopefully Crif's will prepare it this way if you ask. The last time I went to Crifs was with a panel from the Newark, N.J. Star Ledger. We spent a summer sampling hot dogs from 87 different places. Including New York. The panel liked Crif's, although not as much as Rutt's. It's good that they serve a kosher style all beef dog. It is prepared well on a griddle. Since I'm a hot dog fanatic, I like to ask questions when I go somewhere for the first time. To the owner, I would suggest that you train your staff to be able to either answer questions about the product, or at least be pleasant if they don't know the answers. The girl working there (I forget her name, but she had dark hair and was very voloptous let's say) had a real bad attitude. After the second question, she told me her job was to serve hot dogs, not answer questions. I believe I asked her how the beef dogs were prepared. This took a little away from an otherwise pleasant experience. Crif's is a welcome addition to the New York hot dog scene. New York lacks the variety of hot dogs that Jersey has, but Crif's is like many of the North Jersey joints that deep fry their dogs. And, for the most part do a good job. Just hope the girl that was there this summer is gone or lost the attitude. Sun Feb 18 16:29:37 -0800 2007 1029183 11964 hotdoglover 1 2305433 I went to Rutt's Hutt for the first time a few weeks ago after playing a gig in Newark. Great hot dog. Quiet flavors, benefits from eating it slowly. I never realized Crif was the same-type of dog, because I like the Tsunami and Chihuahua type novelties at Crif, and all the toppings hide the subtleties. I like both places -- no comparison though -- one is downtown, one is in Clifton -- it'd go to whichever is closest when I'm hungry! www.SnapshotArtifact.org Sun Feb 18 17:33:00 -0800 2007 1029183 16371 Midtown Jimmi 1 2307171 Criff Dog's Rocks Mon Feb 19 11:04:10 -0800 2007 1029183 55914 marlie202 1 2308972 Crif Dog's is great. I'm a big fan of the Chihuaha and the Spicy Redneck. Add a PBR in a can, a game of Ms. Pac Man and I'm good to go. Finish it off with a crepe across the street. www.bigapplediningguide.com Mon Feb 19 20:06:46 -0800 2007 1029183 20586 dkstar1 1 2309946 I'm down with the Crif Dog. And, I will echo the sentiments of others who have rallied behind the chihuahua. Just....awesome. Tue Feb 20 08:19:10 -0800 2007 1029183 45651 randymac88