Back In Red

Red's Char-Grilled Hot Dogs | Street Fair Booth, Various Locations | |

SO, I WAS TOO EXCITED to return to the Red's Char-Grilled Hot Dogs booth, this time just ten blocks away at the 1st Avenue Street Fair, to get my grateful mouth around some of the other delicious-sounding "signature" hot dogs.

And lucky enough that many of my friends, after my recommendation, decided to seek out the Red's booth as well, and as they enjoyed long lines all afternoon and eventually sold out of all of their hot dogs, I got to see, photograph, and even taste all the dogs I didn't get to try from my last visit the week before.

Those included (in order of the photos below): the Loaded Baked Potato (bacon, sour cream, shredded monterey and cheddar cheeses, potato sticks, and scallions); the BBQ Bacon (real bacon bits, hickory BBQ sauce, and fried onions); the newly added Peking Dog (hoisin sauce, fresh cucumber, and fresh scallions); the Nacho Dog (guacamole, salsa, sour cream, chili, jalapeños, shredded cheese, and crumbled tortilla chips); the El Cubano Dog (ham, swiss, pickle, mayo, and mustard); the Buffalo Dog (mild wing sauce, celery and celery chunks, and crumbled blue cheese); the BLT Dog (bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo); and the Viva Mexico (fresh pico de gallo, shredded monterey and cheddar cheeses, jalapeños, ketchup, and hot sauce).

Always a still satisfying option is to get either the 100% beef or "smokehouse" beef/pork dog anyway you like it, and even with just ketchup and mustard you still get a winner. And although the signature dogs are served by default in a grill-toasted club roll, they hold up just as well in the standard hot dog bun.

This stellar and unique food being served in and around the city at street fairs is a must-visit for anyone who loves a good eat with a unique and creative perspective. Definitely keep your eyes and ears peeled as you stroll the summer streets of New York City! Here's what you should be looking for!