That being said, Crif Dogs is one of my favorite places in the city and like you, the Chihuahua is my #1. Have you tried it with salsa? The first time I had it was on my East Village food tour and its been my go to since despite the Good Morning’s deliciousness. Do you get tater tots? They’re pretty much a given when I eat at Crifs. I’ve been rocking the chili cheese tots of late. If you’re already operating on that level than great minds definitely think alike.

For your hot dogs, do you mean Old Town Bar? I’ve had the burger there but heard the wings and the dogs are quality. I’m going to have to check it out based on your recommendation. If you want to come snag one of the dogs and a couple of wings maybe it can be arranged.

“Public Friendly”. Nice terminology, never heard that one. I know what you mean though, some of the burgers out there stack pretty high these days. I’ve had Shack a few times but it has never been the transcendent experience most people make it out to be. I do respect the sirloin/chuck/brisket mix (50:25:25 ratio, according to AHamburgerToday.com), but I don’t respect the line. No fast food burger is worth waiting close to an hour for on a bad day. I will, however, shoot down the B line for a cement mixer.

On to Zaitzeff. I’m assuming you went to the one on Avenue B? I haven’t been to that branch. My Zaitzeff experience was at the Financial District branch and it wasn’t ideal but it was probably due to my inexperience with the ordering there and the busy lunch rush. Any burger on a freshly toasted Portuguese muffin definitely deserves a second glance. Have you heard of or tried the version at Prune on 1st st b/t 1st and 2nd Ave or at either Westville branch? Sounds pretty great overall, glad to hear they made up for the poor service.

Do you even have to ask if I’m ready for pizza talk or not?

Lourdes S. Castro,
Two without any problem? I’d like to see that put to the test. What’s the best sandwich you ever had?

I CAN GOBBLE TWO WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM (LOLS!)

Jewboy I~ bbq pulled beef brisket, grilled onions, swiss cheese so good!!!

I did not care for 99 miles to Philly. I mean I was seriously craving a cheese steak, and it did the trick. After living in Philly for a semester in college, I have had some majorly delicious cheese steaks, I went back this summer to visit the Mutter Museum, with 2 of my friends had neither had ever had a cheese steak! I went to take them to this place I used to go to (the name escapes me, but I will never forget the route there) and it was gone, so we went to Gino’s/Pat’s we split them and had a taste test. Pat’s won. Gino’s was never my favorite, but it is not as good as I remembered, totally gone down hill…

Crif Dogs is one of the places I take most everyone who ever visits, in fact it was the 1st place I was taken to before I moved here. I always go for the Chihuahua (hot dog wrapped in bacon, with avocado and sour cream) and a side of tater tots. I also like the Morning Dog (bacon wrapped with fried eggs) Since it’s BYOB I like it even more now! I do want to go to PDT next door soon and get some of the dogs they serve in there.

If you want a simple, yet great dog, you should try the them at Old Mill Tavern, in Union Square, it’s on 18th closer to Park Ave South. These are not fancy, but are simple and yummy. And the price is right, $7.95 for two and a side of shoestring fries. Also, this bar has a really cool atmosphere and has the only working dumbwaiter left in the city.

I am on a hamburger kick right now. One of my favorite places in the city (as well as more than half the city) is Shake Shack, these burgers are so close to perfection. Between the selection of meats they use, how they are barely handled so they produce a juicy and public friendly (I hate having to dislocate my jaw to bite into a burger) patty. I love how the cheese melts through the patty into the center of the burger. The Buns! So tasty, which brings me to my actual favorite burger joint.

Zaitzeff. OMFG! OK, so the 1st time I went here it was right after they had a write up in TONY, and the review was good, so I had to know… It was obvious from the start that they were (like many other place I have gone to after a write up) not prepared for the slam they were going to get. I was seated almost immediately, and that was it. I sat, and waited. Finally I went to the bar and ordered the drinks for my table. The bartender felt so bad, and comped them, and that was a great start. Finally we got our menus and we selected the
Sirloin Burger Served with Lettuce, Tomato and Sautéed Onions. They have a Kobe beef burger, which I’m sure is good, but I like to try to keep my burgers as cheap as possible, plus there is something that screams INSANE when I see Kobe ground into a patty…Sirloin is where it’s at. So the burger was delicious, cooked to perfection, not pink inside, but seems like it was pulled just seconds after the pink is gone. Then the buns, oh man! They use Portugese muffins, which are toasted and I’m pretty sure are made there. This is the perfect bread for a perfect patty. We had 2 more drinks each and shared a plate of their crispy sweet potato fries. When we got the check, the manager came out and apologized for the wait and lack of attention, and they comped all 6 drinks. Wow! I’ve been back several times, and the service has always been great, and the burgers are still as excellent!

Oh man, can we talk about pizza?!?!?

I thought Nicky’s was in the East village on 3rd street. Are you talking about a different one?

Katz’s pastrami is insane. No doubt about it.

Please go on about dogs and burgers, thats the stuff I really love to hear about. Have you been to Crif Dogs?

I didn’t like 99 miles to Philly, it was a slopfest and way too greasy.

To be fair, I am a smaller lady so I can see how this sammie might be little to some. Though I can pack the food away…

Some of my favorite sammies off the top of my head are:

The Jewboy I at Shopsins, or if it is breakfast, the Piaf.
I love the Bresaola with arugula and goat cheese at Pepe Rosso, and can vouch for their other sammies, since I’ve tasted most of them.

Though it’s not in the city, but Brooklyn, I love the Vietnamese Sammie at Nicky’s

Oh! And I’ll never pass up the chance to grab a pastrami on rye at Katz’s Deli. Never ever ever. I want one now.

I can go on about other areas such as hot dogs, and burgers. I feel they belong in different categories, since they are not really “sammies”.

I’m interested in the search for the best cheese steak since I’ve only had one since I’ve lived here at 90 miles to Philly…not bad!

What are some of your other favorite sammies in the city?