Crif Dogs

"Crif Dogs looks like it was put on this earth to host a bunch of drunken college kids looking for something to eat after six straight hours of drinking at multiple bars. That’s exactly what happens at this East Village spot, so congratulations to Crif Dogs for fulfilling their destiny. Depending on the night, it's open until 2am or 3am and you may find a mass of people, but join the line anyway. Order anything bacon-wrapped with cheesy tots, and you’ll be good. If you want craft cocktails with your hot dogs, snag a reservation at PDT (the speakeasy accessed via phone booth)." - willa moore, will hartman, neha talreja, bryan kim

"A petulant old-timer — which also spawned cocktail lounge PDT next door— Crif Dogs is famous for deep-frying its franks, Jersey-style, sometimes after wrapping them in bacon. One favorite is the Good Morning, featuring a fried egg and melted cheese in addition to its blanket of bacon. Tater tots are another plus." - Robert Sietsema

"Refrigerator staples of the downtown twenty-something: a Brita pitcher, beer, string cheese, ketchup and a Crif Dog’s “Eat Me” weiner magnet featuring a babe in a bikini riding a hot dog. That’s some Infatuation friendly marketing right there. When I think about Crif Dogs, I’m brought back to the blackout of 2003. How amazing was that? NYC turned into one big block party. The night it all went down, Crif Dogs was the only place in the East Village that had power because they were smart enough to have a backup generator for exactly such occasion. So while everyone else was sweating it out while food spoiled, Crif’s happily cooked up dogs and topped off beers (on the house!) for the whole neighborhood. A classic NYC moment for sure, and a fond memory I’ll never forget. Ever since the East Village started gentrifying, Crif Dogs has been there to support the lifestyle of the young, drunk, cash-strapped, and hungry. Open until 4am on the weekends and 2am during the week, C-Dogs is an all hours neighborhood hang, ideal for Late Night Eats, cheap beers, and a game of Ms. Pacman. There is one downside though. At night, big crowds of dude-bros gather, trying to impress their dates by being granted access into PDT, the not-so-secret cocktail lounge next door that you enter through a not-so-secret phone booth in the restaurant. We’re over that hidden door, walk through a secret tunnel nonsense. Get in and get out with your dogs while the Jersey Shore plays the name drop game with the bouncer. Food Rundown Dogs While Bark Hot Dogs are crisp and snappy, Crif Dogs of the softer variety. The buttered buns cling to the dogs, absorbing all the juicy goodness of the meat and toppings. With so many good options, picking which dog to ride isn’t easy. We suggest ordering at least one wrapped wiener - the pork and beef dogs taste even better inside a layer of bacon or ham. We like customizing our own Crif Dogs, but some of our favorite menu dogs include: Tsunami (bacon wrapped house dog with teriyaki, pineapple and green onions), The B.L.T. (bacon wrapped dog with lettuce, tomato and mayo), Morning Jersey (taylor ham wrapped dog with melted cheese and a fried egg) and the Spicy Redneck (bacon wrapped house dog with chili, cole slaw and jalapeño). Tater Tots These crunchy potato blimps are reason enough to visit Crif Dogs, and impossible not to pound two at a time. Waffle Fries Crispy, relatively plain (you need to dump on the salt), and really effin good. They even deliver well, a sign that a restaurant pays close attention to detail. It’s rare that delivery fries taste equally as good as the ones fresh out of the kitchen, and these do. RC Cola When was the last time you saw a restaurant carry RC Cola? I didn’t even know that still existed. I think I was playing Turbo Grafx the last time I drank one of these. Points for nostalgia." - Andrew Steinthal

"Crif Dogs is a late-night classic. The hot dogs here all seem like they were designed by a 12-year-old who wants to become Guy Fieri one day, but they make perfect sense when you show up after a night out at some East Village bars. Want a hot dog with cream cheese and everything bagel seasoning? How about one with a fried egg and american cheese? There are no wrong answers here, although the headliner is the bacon-wrapped dog with chili, coleslaw, and pickled jalapenos. It’s a messy dog for messy nights." - bryan kim, willa moore, sonal shah, molly fitzpatrick

"Hot dogs! Who doesn’t love a good hot dog? There are about 20 variations to choose from on the Crif Dogs menu including some delicious vegetarian options. You have to try the tater tots too (if you’re feeling really ambitious add cheese on top). Their “secret bar” is accessed via the phone booth where you can sip on speciality cocktails after you eat." - Champions