Nathan’s Delicatessen in Coney Island - USA's 'best hot dogs'

[editor]

I don't eat 'em myself, but I sure like the look of Nathan’s Delicatessen on Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island. Al Capone was a regular muncher of their hot dogs, so legend has it...

More: http://www.urban75.org/blog/hot-dogs-at-nathans-delicatessen-coney-island-new-york-usa/

 

[Hoss]

I never made it to Coney Island, back in November. It was my first trip out to NYC so couldn't fit it in with all the other things we wanted to do.

Might be going back in June/July so I'll try and get up there then.

Ed, aside from regular trips there (and some great photos *tips hat*), what's your connection to New York?

 

[editor]

I never made it to Coney Island, back in November. It was my first trip out to NYC so couldn't fit it in with all the other things we wanted to do.

Might be going back in June/July so I'll try and get up there then.

Ed, aside from regular trips there (and some great photos *tips hat*), what's your connection to New York?

Went out with a NY girl when I was in my early 20s, so went out there once and loved the place. Many years later jammily got a big web freelance job, so ended up with my own apartment there till the web bubble broke.

I've still got good friends out there so visit when I can and sometimes DJ for fun/beers. My trips qualify as part working too as I always sell quite a few of my NY photos afterwards.

 

[petee]

I don't eat 'em myself

they're delicious.

 

[killer b]

and full of meat.

 

[paolo]

Never heard it called 'Delicatessan' before ?!?

But yep, Coney is epic.

Peeling paint, abandoned roller coaster, The Warriors. Mega.

 

[editor]

Never heard it called 'Delicatessan' before ?!?

That's the words in big writing on the side, although the brand is now rather bizarrely referred to as 'Nathan's Famous.'

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Went out with a NY girl when I was in my early 20s, so went out there once and loved the place. Many years later jammily got a big web freelance job, so ended up with my own apartment there till the web bubble broke.

I've still got good friends out there so visit when I can and sometimes DJ for fun/beers. My trips qualify as part working too as I always sell quite a few of my NY photos afterwards.

Ever make it to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade?

 

[editor]

Ever make it to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade?

I've never been over in NY when it's been going on, although some of my friends perform there every year. It looks like a heap of fun.

 

[paolo]

That's the words in big writing on the side

Have to admit I'd never noticed that.

 

[davesgcr]

Get some shots of the Stillwell Ave station next time please , - some remains of the BMT incorporated I believe (Brooklyn Manhattan Transit) - the iconic subway system of the city !

The area is becoming more "gentrified" I believe from its 1970's nadir.

 

[paolo]

Get some shots of the Stillwell Ave station next time please , - some remains of the BMT incorporated I believe (Brooklyn Manhattan Transit) - the iconic subway system of the city !

The area is becoming more "gentrified" I believe from its 1970's nadir.

Aha... another NYC subway fan.

The yard at Coney is epic. Not sure Stillwell Ave station is much to look at mind, but each to their own.

 

[Hoss]

Went out with a NY girl when I was in my early 20s, so went out there once and loved the place. Many years later jammily got a big web freelance job, so ended up with my own apartment there till the web bubble broke.

I've still got good friends out there so visit when I can and sometimes DJ for fun/beers. My trips qualify as part working too as I always sell quite a few of my NY photos afterwards.

It sounds like a great experience and something I'd like to try.

We had an opportunity to move out there this year - I was due for a redundancy pay off in Jan and my gf's company offered her a job out there. It didn't work out for a couple of reasons but we're looking at other ways.

A friend was due to move out to NYC today, postponed at the last minute by visa delays. She's moving to Park Slope, BK. Do you know it, Ed? And sorry to be so nosey but in which neighbourhoods did you live/work?

 

[editor]

Park Slope is well posh!

 

[davesgcr]

Aha... another NYC subway fan.

The yard at Coney is epic. Not sure Stillwell Ave station is much to look at mind, but each to their own

I had an an official trip to the yard(s) in the 1980's - the control centre was impressive to say the least.

Who couldent be a fan of the subway system ? (it makes the city !)

 

[Hoss]

Haha, really? I'll be staying there later this year. How posh are we talking? Chelsea, Fulham, Dulwich Village? I'm guessing it's a huge change from Stockwell...

 

[davesgcr]

Just idly looking at the New York Daily News (tabloid) to see how they cover todays main news , and find a 75K heroin bust in Park Slope , so it may be gentrified , but appears to have an edge.

Went to Brooklyn in Autumn 2008 after a 10 year gap , and the level of smartness all round was incredible compared to previous trips as far back as 1984. Still a fascinating area though. Enjoy.

 

[lang rabbie]

Aha... another NYC subway fan.

The yard at Coney is epic. Not sure Stillwell Ave station is much to look at mind, but each to their own

Stillwell Avenue was pretty much completely rebuilt c.2005 - apparently with a much more impressive train shed than the rotting old terminus that I remember from the 90s - but they kept the old BMT Lines faience tile facade.

 

[1927]

Calling Nathan's a deli is a bit far fetched these days tho its no better tahn McD's

 

[davesgcr]

Unlike McD , its been there for an awful long time !

(I had lunch there , care of the New York City Transit Authority in the 1980's) - relax , it did not break the budget - followed by a cab ride with authority on the "F" train to 179th St Jamaica. Something to be savoured.

 

[twistedAM]

Unlike McD , its been there for an awful long time !

(I had lunch there , care of the New York City Transit Authority in the 1980's) - relax , it did not break the budget - followed by a cab ride with authority on the "F" train to 179th St Jamaica. Something to be savoured.

I've been to the (now gone) original Wendy's in Columbus, OH. Being old means nowt.

 

[editor]

Being old means nowt.

I can personally vouch for that.

 

[D]

An occasional treat (?) from my childhood, though somewhat scandalous in our fam because, while beef, most Nathan's hot dogs aren't kosher.

 

[Fuzzybuzz]

If you want to go to a Deli in NY you have to head to Katz's, it's been around for over 120 years so they have to be doing something right... Nathans is great for dogs though. Katz's is Kosher Style, but not Kosher

 

[editor]

If you want to go to a Deli in NY you have to head to Katz's, it's been around for over 120 years so they have to be doing something right... Nathans is great for dogs though. Katz's is Kosher Style, but not Kosher

It's a bit too touristy for my tastes, and that whole area is yuppifying at an horrendous rate of knots.

 

[petee]

best dogs

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Papaya_King

 

[Orangesanlemons]

Really loved Coney Island & Brighton beach with all the peeling boardwalk oddness & 'shoot the freak' nonsense.
Nathans still looks great, but I'm pretty sure the difference between the best & worst hotdog isn't that far apart. I had one from there that was nice enough, but at the end of the day it's still only a hotdog. There's also quite a tough 'snap' to their dogs that seems to be a desirable quality out there that feels a bit strange to the European palate (used to a softer bite).

 

[editor]

I've got a load of Coney Island photos I'm about to post up, and I've also just posted up this short feature on the Parachute Jump:
http://www.urban75.org/blog/remembering-the-wonderfully-precarious-coney-island-parachute-jump/

 

[1927]

best dogs

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Papaya_King

Good programme on PBS last night all about the best dogs, Papaya King got a mention.

 

[1927]

Really loved Coney Island & Brighton beach with all the peeling boardwalk oddness & 'shoot the freak' nonsense.
Nathans still looks great, but I'm pretty sure the difference between the best & worst hotdog isn't that far apart. I had one from there that was nice enough, but at the end of the day it's still only a hotdog. There's also quite a tough 'snap' to their dogs that seems to be a desirable quality out there that feels a bit strange to the European palate (used to a softer bite).

The 'snap' is because they use natural casings.