Some of my favorite memories growing up are backyard cookouts at the beach. The food was generally pretty simple, hot dogs and hamburgers with potato salad and cole slaw. Dessert was s'mores or popsicles. The extended family was all together and we kids had the run of the beach. It was as close to heaven as life gets on earth.
But those halcyon summer days are gone -- as are many of the people I spent them with -- and I've learned that such days are rare and fleeting. I've had the good fortune to spend time on the deck of my friends' Long Island house more recently and will again at their just-about-restored Breezy Point house this summer. We'll still eat hamburgers and hot dogs and cole slaw and potato salad. Lucky for this hot dog and beach fan.
When I started to think about "H" both hot dogs and hamburgers came to mind. I actually eat hamburgers more than hot dogs, but I am a big hot dog fan, and this post is a salute to one of the most humble, yet beloved foods I know, the iconic hot dog.
I believe that a hot dog needs a grill -- my only exception is at baseball games -- and one spot that meets this qualification is Gray's Papaya, a hot dog restaurant on the corner of West 72nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue. I stopped by this morning to take pictures and the aroma of the dogs almost enticed me to order one at 11:00 in the morning. I resisted, but it was a great temptation.
But those halcyon summer days are gone -- as are many of the people I spent them with -- and I've learned that such days are rare and fleeting. I've had the good fortune to spend time on the deck of my friends' Long Island house more recently and will again at their just-about-restored Breezy Point house this summer. We'll still eat hamburgers and hot dogs and cole slaw and potato salad. Lucky for this hot dog and beach fan.
When I started to think about "H" both hot dogs and hamburgers came to mind. I actually eat hamburgers more than hot dogs, but I am a big hot dog fan, and this post is a salute to one of the most humble, yet beloved foods I know, the iconic hot dog.
I believe that a hot dog needs a grill -- my only exception is at baseball games -- and one spot that meets this qualification is Gray's Papaya, a hot dog restaurant on the corner of West 72nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue. I stopped by this morning to take pictures and the aroma of the dogs almost enticed me to order one at 11:00 in the morning. I resisted, but it was a great temptation.
My favorite hot dog restaurant
You can also buy coffee and muffins, but the centerpiece is the hot dogs.
The containers on the left have the legendary fruit drinks that include bananas, pineapple and coconut.
There's only a counter by the window to sit at, and it's not a leisurely spot, but I'm pretty sure there's no more festive decor anywhere in New York City.
Dear Citizens of Buttercupland, do you favor the humble hot dog or the hamburger? Ketchup or mustard? I'll take a grilled hot dog with mustard and relish and I will be very happy.
After my photo shoot at Gray's Papaya I met up with my friend Anita for lunch. We spent some time discussing the menu for Passover, which starts next Monday night. And yes, there will be a post to talk about some of the foods of the holiday. Tomorrow we're going to visit another world cuisine.
I hope you're enjoying our Blogging from A to Z Challenge culinary adventures. Thanks, as ever, for visiting and take good care.
