THIS LITTLE PIGGY (Brooklyn Piggies)

SADLY, BROOKLYN PIGGIES IS NOW CLOSED.

When I was little and dragged to some event where I had to wear a suit and tie, I found salvation in the passed appetizers. And my  favorite of all those were the pigs in a blanket. It was amazing that the hot dog could be improved upon, but here was perfection on a cocktail napkin. How could it get better than mini weenies wrapped in puff pastry? This is especially true when you’re 12.

Funny enough, nowadays at a party of this sort, I hang out by the deviled eggs and chicken satays and pass over the overly processed and usually dry pigs in a blanket. But it’s a real nostalgic treat when I pop one of those piggies and it’s even better when they’re actually good.

Of course, some Brooklyn food entrepreneur has figured out a way to make those childhood bites responsibly and they’re delicious once again. Brooklyn Piggies grew out of Smorgasburg in 2012 and once Oprah magazine chose them as one of the “favorite things” of that year, they really took off.

Now they’re located at all the Smorgasburg markets and they even ship via their online store. I can’t determine if they cater parties, but if not, they need to get on that.

Because these pigs in a blanket are better than anything I remember from childhood. They use a high-end sausage purveyor who mixes pork and beef into a lamb casing for their original blend, but they also offer spicy and chicken varieties. The little piggies are then wrapped in a buttery puff pastry that keeps the wieners nice and warm.

You can taste a smokiness in the quality ingredients. Inside and out, the dogs are not bright red, but a less alarming dark brown with crisped, well-done edges. They offered a wonderful snap that is juxtaposed by the flaky pastry.

I even love that it was paired with your choice of homemade condiments – I always have to go with the mustard – even though the pigs were so good they didn’t actually need it.

My only complaint with Brooklyn Piggies is the price. $5 bought me 3 little piggies. I suppose that might equal a full-sized hot dog, but when I think about the fact that I could pop an infinite amount of pigs in a blanket in my mouth when I was 12 and they were free, $5 seems like a fortune. But, of course, I wasn’t footing the bill for the party back then.

Does Brooklyn Piggies have the best hot dog in New York? Not exactly sure how it would taste in a larger version on a bun with sauerkraut, but wrapped in a decadent puff pastry, these are pretty darn good. 8 out of 10.