Dining Review: An Open Love Letter To Brooklyn Hot Dogs Of Gowanus

To the attention of:

Nanne Tavarez and Bill Nieves, Owners
Brooklyn Hot Dogs
149 9th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
Brooklyn, NY 11215

May 11, 2016

Dear Nanne and Bill,

Ok, I’ll dispense with the last names just this once. I spent lunch with you a few days back and I feel like I know you. Heck, you served us a lovely lunch and welcomed us into your hot dog digs as if we were guests in your home. And Bill, we got to hang out for a bit in your backyard!

I hope you’ll understand when I admit to you that I’ve passed by Brooklyn Hot Dogs tons of times and never took the opportunity to pay you a visit. You know how it goes, you’re heading down 9th Street in that very industrial area rushing from one thing to another.

I crane my neck to the left or right when your place comes into view. “Hmm…” I say to myself, “What the heck’s that place about? How long have they been around for? I have to check it out soon.” Well, soon finally came.

Your place is small, and bustling with conversation. Looks like the construction workers in the area have been keeping you on the d.l. Your customers seemed pretty happy sitting at the small seating area while taking their lunch break.

You were all very hospitable when we came in — one of your customers gave up her table so we could sit down with our three-week-old daughter who came along for the ride. You attract some pretty friendly, local folks.

Ok, Nanne, I have to tell this to you straight: I don’t eat hot dogs. Please don’t take offense — after all, it’s part of the nomenclature of your beloved business. But don’t fret, I brought my wife along with me, as she fancies them.

And did she ever fancy the cheese dog ($3). You have some magic grilling technique going on back there, because I am told the cheesy goodness envelopes a slightly smoky taste. And all those sauce options you have allow us to make it as spicy as we want.

Even though I didn’t sample your hot dog, I agree with this whole idea about a secret grilling technique. I had the grilled chicken sandwich ($5). And while it looks like the standard fare you may see in other places, the toasty, slightly smoky taste was evident in my sandwich. And now I’m trying to write this but really I’d prefer to be having another one. (You may see me later this afternoon.)

So, Nanne, I’m not sure what kind of magic is going on back there on your grill, but just keep doing it. After all, you’ve been here for 16 years … why change up something that works so well?

Thanks also for showing us your family photos. And that moment when you gave that little girl a bag of potato chips when she stopped in with her mom? That “mom-and-pop-loves-the-neighbor’s-kids-thing” reminds me of my childhood. You just don’t see much of that anymore. Ok, I suppose I got a little misty-eyed and nostalgic for a moment, but let’s keep that between you and I, ok?

And Bill, I’ve walked by this place a million times and never knew about your cool backyard where people can sit and have a quiet lunch. You did all the metal work on the table yourself? I can’t believe this entire place was once a garage that now houses the hot dog place in front, and your home behind it. That’s one heck of a short commute for you two!

I’ll also have to remember to tell the neighbors that you’re not purely a lunch place. You do bagels, eggs, and a slew of other sandwiches. Oh, and knishes as well. I also need to let them know that the place is small, so folks can’t expect a seat when it gets a bit busy.

Also, I may or may not have bought a beer, wrapped a brown paper bag around it, and enjoyed it for lunch. Sorry, that’s on me, not on you, so I don’t want you involved in my potential antics.

So Nanne and Bill, the way I see it is like this: in a Gowanus that is struggling to maintain its quirky, industrial, artistic, polluted identity, you’re the Gowanus O.G. Please stay here forever doing what you do. Some of us simply sleep better knowing you’re around. We prefer nodding off while counting hot dogs, as opposed to counting real estate developers.

Thanks again, and see you soon,

Donny

The Dining Rundown: Brooklyn Hot Dogs
Where: 149 9th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
Hours: 8:30am-6pm, 7 days a week
Kid Friendly? When there’s room, you could sneak a toddler in. Or a stroller (like we did). But the place is small, so there are no guarantees.