HOT DOG REVIEW: Ben’s Best Kosher Deli

My search for the best hot dog in New York continues….

SADLY, BEN’S BEST KOSHER DELI IS NOW CLOSED.

I haven’t reviewed too many Kosher deli frankfurters, but they are a real part of the New York hot dog scene. There’s no greater dessert to a giant corned beef/pastrami sandwich than a crisp wiener smothered in mustard.

At least that’s what I thought after a meal at Ben’s Best Kosher Deli in Rego Park, Queens. And since the restaurant is a bit far out of my regular rotation, I figured I’d eat as much as I can while I was here.

I took the dog to go and I was immediately struck with the size. This is no small link – it’s a full on sausage. All this for $4.50 seemed like a great deal!

Topped with mustard and sauerkraut, I was expecting the best kosher hot dog I’d ever had. Not so fast. Something was not quite right. There was no snap!

The exterior was crisp and the dog had a deep level of salty meatiness. But it was missing that wonderful snap. Perhaps this is a skinless variety, but I was still hoping for that nice textural contrast.

It’s still a great value and a pretty good dog at a wonderful kosher institution. But I miss that snap.

Does Ben’s Best Kosher Delicatessen have the best hot dog in NY? It would be close if it just had a little snap to it. It’s still affordable and loaded with salty flavors and gets a 7 out of 10.