FOOD NEWS
What Exactly Is A Dirty Water Hot Dog?
By Elias Nash
If you search for where to eat in New York City, you'll get a wide range of options. However, there's one dish that epitomizes New York better than any other: the dirty water dog.
The colloquial phrase "dirty water" means that the water in the vat has been seasoned with various spices, giving it a dark and cloudy appearance, imparting new levels of flavor.
Seasonings vary from cart to cart, but they typically include vinegar, red pepper flakes, cumin, nutmeg, onions and garlic powder. Sauerkraut is less common, though not unheard of.
The hot dog is then assembled with a steamed bun, spicy brown mustard, sauerkraut, or onion sauce — thickly-sliced onions simmered in tomato paste and spices.