Comments on: Nathan’s Famous: Nothing Better Than Coney Island

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:32:19 +0000

My personal favorite burger is the Chili Burger at the Original Tommy’s which is near USC. They also make an amazing Chili Dog. I also like Carney’s. Pink’s is the most well known hot dog spot in LA, sort of like a West Coast version of Nathans, gets a lot of tourists and celebrities, but personally, I like the other two establishments a lot more. The weirdest hot dog in LA is actually a burrito, called the Oki Dog, made with a frank, chili, and pastrami wrapped in a tortilla, its actuallly a pretty tasty combination, the place was featured on that Cable show with Andrew Zimmern.

By: The NYC Food Guy

The NYC Food Guy — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:53:56 +0000

Mike,
When I get out to Cali again, I’ll give you a shout. I’m yet to have any Cali dogs other than the ones at Dodger Stadium. What’s your number one burger in California? How about Hot Dog?

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:54:11 +0000

That is what I figured about Nathan’s, their food on Coney Island is great but their franchised locations are horrible. The onion sauce they have on Coney Island is really good and tastes fresh. They even have Nathan’s franchise stores in California, and they are horrible. I spent most of my early years in NY, and from my memory NY was more of Pizza town than one for hot dogs and hamburgers. In Southern California, they bring old school hot dogs and hamburgers to an art form.

By: The NYC Food Guy

The NYC Food Guy — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:24:44 +0000

Mike,
Nathan’s dogs are awesome. On pure dog alone, I agree, it’s one of the best if not THE best. Unfortunately, I only feel this way about the one in Coney Island which I never go to because it’s so far off the beaten path. That being said, Crif is great for what it is: novel. Papaya King is pretty tasty but not what it used to be. Gray’s Papaya still get’s it done though, if you’re back in NYC, check out the one on 72nd and Amsterdam, that’s the best one.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:05:01 +0000

Nathans on Coney Island is probably one of a handful of great hot dog places on the East Coast. I live out West and was surprised how good it was, after a dissapointing experience at Papaya King and Crif in the city, this place redeemed NY’s hot dog scene. Although the Chili is like regular Chili with beans and not the beanless kind that you get at most places around the country. I think the only other place in the tri-state area that compares is the Windmill in NJ.

By: MrArtTuro - The Food Maven

MrArtTuro - The Food Maven — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:12:57 +0000

Dearest Foodie NYCFG et al,

I gotta say that most of us old time Coney Nathans Lovers actually just have their dogs with mustard. Their mustard is tasty and tangy and good in a commercial way.

Might I add that I was raised on the twentieth floor of Luna Park Coop Houses facing Nathans and the Wonder Wheel and the Parachute Jump. On the corner of Stillwell Ave and Surf Ave Nathans, through the 1960’s, above the ‘restaurant’ had a huge clock the ‘hands’ of which used to be two hot dogs. Routinely we’d look out the window to tell the time in those days.

About the incredibly good french fries (if they’re still being made as they used to in the summer in the 1980’s when i worked there) they are made from fresh potatoes (this location only) and they are skinned and peeled then crinkle thick cut all on site. Then they are twice fried. Initially at a lower temperature to cook them , then for a shorter amount of time at a higher frying temperature.

Mr FoodMan, when you (& the KetchupKing?) go to all you can eat Ribs on the LES , please drop me a line. I need some juicy tenderness soon.

By: The NYC Food Guy

The NYC Food Guy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:19:23 +0000

Gaf57, I can't hate your motivation for Nathan's. In fact, I love it. This is by far the best Nathan's there is and word on the street is that it may close soon. If you do go out there though, you'd be doing yourself a great disservice if you don't check out the original Totonno's pizza. It's parallel to Nathan's literally three blocks away from the beach. It's some of the best coal oven pizza I've had. And as long as your in the city, stop by the East Village for some bacon wrapped hot dogs at Crif Dogs. They're incredible.

By: Phil

Phil — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:03:36 +0000

ummmm buddy…. driving from PA to Brooklyn for a nathan’s hot dog????

By: gaf57

gaf57 — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:47:02 +0000

hey guys, found this by accident.
Haven’t been to Nathan’s in years. Now I’m hungry and just have to drive to Brooklyn. And I live in Pa.!!

Oh well, somethings are just worth the drive.

By: Blondie

Blondie — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:20:25 +0000

the best part about the coney island nathan’s is that NO ONE wants to eat the other food, just hot dogs.