Spiral Project #12: Crif Dogs
Posted by Rocco Privetera on February 19th, 2010 filed in Musings, Restaurant ReviewJust around the corner on e. 8th and A is the famous Crif Dogs.
Crif is a small shop, below street levels, with a half dozen tables, a chrome bar with stools to eat at, a few old video game machines, a phone booth, and some kitash and TV’s on the walls. The ambiance is dive-y but bright.
Crif has been a long time east village staple, according to my local friends. You get a choice of dogs, burgers, fries and sides, shakes and floats, and beers (and other drinks).It has late hours (until 3am most nights I think), generally friendly service, and usually even with long lines the wait isn’t long to get your food.
I’ve been here quite a few times since I’ve moved here. The dogs are deep fried, tasty and crisp. My favorite dog combinations are the ’spicy redneck’ – wrapped in bacon, plus chili, cole slaw and jalapenos; the morning jersey – wrapped in taylor ham, melted cheese and a fried egg; or the tsunami – bacon wrapped with teriyaki sauce, pineapple and green onions.
Most dogs are in the 3.50-5 dollar range – perhaps a tad pricey, but a good quality hot dog is worth it, and these are certainly the best I’ve had in the area. I’ve had the tater tots with chili and cheese a few times. Sometimes I get the milkshakes, which for five bucks *is* pricey.
So: Value is average (pricey, but the quality is so good I let it slide), ambiance is good, service is good, and taste is excellent. I plan on eating here more than a few times before I move away, and you should too.
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