crif dogs

st mark’s b/t 1st & A

this is by far my favorite block of st. mark’s: between 1st and A. none of that tacky, times-square-transplant gaudiness of the perhaps more touristy block of st. mark’s by astor place. just a block crammed full of an interesting variety of deliciousness, including east village’s hummus place and this little baby.

follow the hot dog that says “eat me,” and you’ll find crif dogs, a little shop just below street level where you can get bacon-wrapped hot dogs slathered in just about anything. mind you, they come at an absurdly high hot dog price – expect $4+, depending on the lavishness of your dog accoutrements.

to accompany your dog, you can sample from the finest of america’s cuisine, including chili cheese fries and milkshakes. (although if you want water, you’ll have to drink from a thimble and get water yourself from the orange sports cooler by the entrance.)

i was idiotically wary of the bacon-wrapped dog and instead had a regular crif dog with taco-like toppings: salsa, avocado, lettuce, etc. it was good. i’m not sure i would pay $4+ again for it though. i would, however, return to try a bacon-wrapped dog. silly me. how could i ever have doubted the wisdom of bacon plus.