NYC's top hot dogs

Tsumani | Crif Dogs

The next time you find yourself standing in that faux red telephone booth trying to secure a spot at PDT, call in an order for the Tsunami, which, true to its name, floods the taste buds. A handmade, naturally smoked house dog gets dropped in the deep fryer before being topped with soft diced pineapple chunks and then scattered with scallions. Crisp, crunchy pieces of bacon closely hug the dog, and a dollop of teriyaki sauce adds a touch of depth and complexity. The pineapple’s sweet (but not cloyingly so) flavor is balanced by the pungent green onion for an overall mellow finish. (Price: $4.50)

Bitchin’ rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
The crisp bacon lends extra snap, but the dog could do without the teriyaki sauce, which is where things start to get a little saccharine.