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New York City's Serendipity 3 restaurant has a history of doing stunts to make the Guinness World Records. They've scored twice before -- with the World's Most Expensive Ice Cream Sundae and the World's Largest Hot Chocolate -- and on Friday, they did it again with the World's Most Expensive Hot Dog, which will sell for $69.
So how do you get a hot dog to cost nearly 70 bucks? First, you start with a regular Serendipity 3 foot-long beef hot dog, which already sells for $8.50 -- a little more than your average street dog in New York (and a lot tastier, I'll admit). Then you use the tried and true pre-recession stunt of chefs around the world: Add foie gras, then add truffles, repeat as necessary until the price tag explodes. (The other surefire fancifier -- caviar -- would taste a little gross on a hot dog, though Serendipity 3 puts it on a burger.)
To be more specific, this particular "Haute Dog" (as it's being marketed) is grilled in white truffle oil and is served on a chewy pretzel-bread bun (sort of like a cross between a soft pretzel and a baguette) that's toasted with white truffle butter. It's topped with foie gras pâté with black truffles. Condiments (served on the side) include Dijon mustard with black truffles, caramelized Vidalia onions and ketchup made with heirloom tomatoes (more like a tart tomato relish).
I tasted the dog this morning (breakfast of champions), and I've gotta admit, it was darn tasty. My notes, after the jump.
The wiener itself was high quality and would have been great with just a little mustard. But the combo of flavors and textures -- the smokey, firm yet juicy hot dog, the creamy, pungent foie gras, the earthy truffles, the chewy, salty bun, the sweet onions, the bite of mustard, and the bright, tart ketchup -- played together remarkably well. My minor complaints: I found the bun a bit too salty and the occasional visible glob of truffle butter was over the top (or perhaps I should say "over the top of the top").
The dog, which was created in honor of National Hot Dog Day (and, I presume, in order to garner just this sort of press attention), debuted for the press Friday and will be available to the general public as soon as new menus are drawn up, according to a spokesperson for the restaurant (note that the haute dog has to be ordered 24 hours in advance).
So is this stunt dog for you? Only if you love foie gras and truffles (their flavor, not just the "I'm a big roller" factor -- though that'll play a part in your decision too) and you've got an extra $70, plus tax and tip, burning a hole in your pocket (hey, we heard the recession was over...right?).
Would you pay $69 for a hot dog? Leave your reply in the Comments section below.
Think foie gras is a weird hot dog topping? Check out these other hot dog toppings from around the world, like meat sauce and fried eggs.
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7-27-2010 @9:18AM J,O, said... I'd love to try it... once!
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7-27-2010 @11:31AM renee said... Texas Hotdogs! Altoona, Pa. If you've been there, you've been to the best!
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7-27-2010 @9:19AM Becky said... Ummmm no I wouldn't .....I think that is funny actually. To take a simple food and try to turn into something else with goose liver and fungus.....please. A hot dog is one of those foods that taste the best because it represents a good time-you know baseball games, the local board walk, the family bar-b-que. Sorry- to set in a restaurant with a flower on my plate to eat a hot dog.......where"s the excitement?
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7-27-2010 @9:23AM Josh said... F*ck that, I'm not paying $69 for a hot dog, and especailly not in New York, the worst city in the world.
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7-27-2010 @4:27PM Mac said... HOLY Crapola..!!!! :( $69 for a hot dog..?!?! Why in Las Vegas, there used to be a place (Slots o' Fun) next to Circus Circus, where you could get a ONE pounder hot dog for a BUCK..!!! Not sure if they still do it, haven't been out there in 3 years, but still..? Guess IF you've got MORE money, than sense, hey ! That's what America's all about.
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7-27-2010 @9:27AM Binky said... The best hot dog is made in my own kitchen with my very own "homemade" chili and topped with loads of cheese. Yummy!
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7-27-2010 @9:41AM Hattie Crabtree said... I've eaten in many nice places but have yet to taste truffles.
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7-27-2010 @9:41AM Sharon said... The Orange Tree franchises here in FL make the best slaw dog with mustard and chopped onions you ever ate. And for a small fraction of the price!
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7-27-2010 @11:23AM Gary Shebes said... At 3 feet, 4 people can easily share this dog. With all the accouterments on it it should satisfy most folks. That would bring it down to $17 a dog, still to expensive, but your paying for sitting at a good restaurant and getting good waiter service, as opposed to a hot dog wagon, or counter service were most dogs are served. Nathans, still one of the best crunchy dogs around. Mustard, sauerkraut,onions all o1 dog for 3 bucks is not bad, but of course this is not Serendipity. There are those always foolish enough to eat a69 $ dog just to say they did it. Good luck to them. Bottom Line.I think its just plain dumb.
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7-27-2010 @2:58PM roastchicken said... It's not 3 ft long!! The name of the restaurant is Serendipity 3. It says: "First, you start with a regular Serendipity 3 foot-long beef hot dog, which already sells for $8.50."
A lot of people seriously lack reading comprehension skills.
7-27-2010 @12:51PM Dave said... Just try Superdog at DeVon and Milwaukee in the Chicago. Killer dogs for a tenth of the price.
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7-27-2010 @9:52AM Julio said... Thanks but no thanks. I can eat for a whole month just regular hot dogs for that kind of money. Now, if they can do something to improve a Cuban sandwich...
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7-27-2010 @9:52AM Harlequin said... Wtf? I would much rather spend my money on something worthwhile, not a $70 hot dog, you could feed a family with that much
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7-27-2010 @10:43AM Pete said... The best in the world come from Lobels in N.Y., and at 16.00 a lb. they may seem expensive, but once you've had one- nothing else comes close.
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7-27-2010 @10:06AM Gina Boltz said... Our 69 dollars would be better spent donating to food banks that feed the hungry.
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7-27-2010 @11:45AM Brent said... Best hot dogs on the planet at Captain Franks in Kitty Hawk nc. look no further
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7-27-2010 @10:06AM Elle said... Let me think..................and how many hungry people could I feed for $70.00? No thanks, I am afraid I would choke thinking about it.
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7-27-2010 @11:10AM claire sargent said... Dear "We welcome comments: you say off topic comments will be deleated, then why are the same abusers not deleated?????????????
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7-27-2010 @10:10AM Vicky said... I can't believe I just spent 30 minutes reading about a hot dog instead of working! LOL, now I'm hungry!
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7-27-2010 @10:04AM Denise said... I agree the price is ridiculous. But, to those who are 'struggling' : stop buying computers and paying for internet connections, Just a thought.
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