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I'm salivating as I read this terrific post, Jolene! The guy I'm married to introduced me to Gray's Papaya and Nathan's--and I love them both! I had no idea you could order Gray's through the mail. (I don't think your darling kitty knew about it either!) Definitely something to keep in mind for a future celebration! Happy Birthday and Happy Fourth! 🥳🎂🎉🌭

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Ruth! I meant to put in the article it’s Gray’s Papaya via Goldbelly, I’ll email you the link, hi to Jeff! ❤️

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Thanks, Jolene! I definitely see a hot dog party in our future!🤗

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Yes! 🥳🌭

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Hot dogs through the mail. Now that's hardcore NYC. 😂

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Hahahaha! 🤣

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Oh, hey, and Happy Birthday and Colonial Rebellion Day!

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Thank you! 😂 I’ve never had a birthday cake that didn’t have a sparkler in it instead of candles! 😂

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Honestly, that sounds brilliant. 😀

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💥 🎂

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I should also mention that Gray's Papaya plays a big part in Emma Straub's THIS TIME TOMORROW.

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Thank you for this, Elizabeth — Time Travel AND Gray’s Papaya! I meant to mention to you that when I was at the Newberry I thought “Oh, The Time Traveler’s Wife was set here!” So much fun, these little connections.

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Jul 3, 2023·edited Jul 3, 2023Liked by Jolene Handy

So fun Jolene. The very best topic for the 4th of July. A new lurker here. We all are biased by home. I am confident when anyone tries them (or g-d forbid compares them to a hometown favorite), a Ted's hotdog from Buffalo NY is like no other. Cooked on charcoal not decomposing in a box of warm water. Do not accept the opinion of a lurker, just ask Ms. Kadet. I am confident she will concur.

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“We are all biased by home.” Love that, Mark! I have some friends from Buffalo who are adamant about Ted’s (Hey, we’re all from New York State, so it’s a ‘family’ feud) also: “decomposing in a box of warm water” omg 😂

Thanks for commenting, lurking always welcome! 😉

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I have the same funny dialog as I live in the Midwest. No one, even if they are from Chicago chooses Italian beef over a beef on weck 😍 once they know the difference -- best sausage in Twin Cities is a Ukrainian meat market from Chicago. This is not in the wheelhouse for Norwegians

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I have learned so much today — I think I’m going to compile a list of places/brands/food people from all over the country have mentioned today, and work it into a post. Thank you, Mark!

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Jul 3, 2023·edited Jul 3, 2023Liked by Jolene Handy

That sounds like fun. Everybody loves a good food fight :) I just wrote about how to cut pizza and no one could even agree on that! Visit my Stack and look at the food tab...some silly oldies in there. I have saved a tab to your Stack as I recognize your name from the Cafe -- as a Chicagoan, I would love your guide to good Golumpki as we go with Mom's recipe.

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Looking now! A good food fight is always a good idea 😂 will get back to you on Golumpki after I consult with a Polish friend!

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TED'S!

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LOL!

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Jul 2, 2023Liked by Jolene Handy

Happy birthday! I loved today’s post. The Albany area of upstate New York has mini hot dogs that we don’t see anywhere else. They are very skinny about three inches long and are “best” with the works, mustard, onion and homemade meat sauce. Our daughter has brought party packs back with her to dc and we are planning a little hot dog party when we return to Florida because people jut don’t understand until they experience them. Such great memories, my mouth is watering just thinking about them. Two places in particular stand out hot dog Charlie’s and Gus’s hot dogs. I’ve included the link for Charlie’s that shows the famous hairy arm. Gus’s is so old school they don’t even have a web page!

https://hotdogcharlies.com/

As usual thanks for the great post!

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Thank you so much for the link, love the ‘hairy’ arm and the history! The minidogs! I need to get some! I have friends who live near Albany, is there a brand name? I will ask them to send me some! 😂 Glad you liked the post and thanks for Birthday wishes!

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Jolene, I’ll email you and we’ll figure it out.

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Jul 2, 2023Liked by Jolene Handy

Happy Birthday, Jolene! As a former New Yorker--Brooklyn born--I miss all things related to food in NYC. Did you know the inventor of the "hot dog," Charles Feltman, is is buried in a mausoleum Brooklyn's Historic Green Wood Cemetery?

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Thank you, Patricia! Do ever order stuff from NYC? Katz’s does great shipping and you can also get H&H bagels delivered. I didn’t know about Charles Feltman or about his mausoleum at Green Wood.!

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Jul 2, 2023Liked by Jolene Handy

Yes, I've ordered gift baskets from Zabar's in the past. Their chocolate babka is the best. I also miss whitefish salad, good knishes, and of course Brooklyn pizza.

Green-Wood Cemetery has many famous New Yorkers, from 1840 on, as what they call "permanent residents." My husband and and I were volunteers there for many years assisting their historian, Jeff Richman. They have tours and events and beautiful rolling hill grounds--George Washington's first Revolutionary War battle, the "Battle of Brooklyn" took place there. It is worth a visit if you ever go back to NYC.

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Thank you for this, Patricia. I will definitely make a point of visiting when I go back home for a visit. Fascinating stuff and to interesting that you volunteered there. “Permanent Residents” is such a great description. Thanks for this!

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Oh man now I am craving a dog so bad!!!

Thanks for the sweet shoutout Jolene, much appreciated!

And happy birthday!!!

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I gotta order from TED’s next if possible!

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Dear Jolene--Happy Birthday!!!!! I loved this post so much and I too loved NYC sidewalk hotdogs, Nathan's and Grey's Papaya. But, do you know about New Haven's famous (and fabulous) hotdogs?

They're Hummel Brothers. So good! Please email your address to me and I'll order some to be sent to you. And in the meantime, Happy Independence Day!!! Love, Jamie

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You are so sweet, Jamie and absolutely not! (But thank you, sweet friend ❤️) we’ll enjoy some together when I come East!

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Jul 3, 2023Liked by Jolene Handy

Happy Birthday, Jolene! Super Dawgs is my husband's absolute fave!

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Hi, Marilyn, they are so good!

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Jul 3, 2023Liked by Jolene Handy

Happy birthday! I’ve never had a papaya hot dog. Clearly I’m missing out. I always thought it was a gimmick. But if you love them enough to order them, I’ll have to give them a try!

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Jillian, so good with just mustard 🌭and a papaya drink!! Let me know if you go!

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Someone should write a book about hot dogs and baseball. Dodger Dogs and fries in LA are the only thing which got this foreigner through games!

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Haha! Glad they pulled you through! 🌭 🍟 good idea for a book!

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As disturbed as I am by the concept of a hot dog with no ketchup (both ketchup and mustard, always!) did you see this great piece in my nibbles? I'm learning so much about American hot dogs this month! https://food52.com/blog/28125-coney-island-hot-dog-wars-history

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Rachel! I hadn’t read your post yet, omg how did I miss this! 🌭 Thank you! I’m linking to this and you and also Norway’s hotdogs in my next post! 😂❤️

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Forgot to wish you a very Happy Birthday, Jolene!

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Aww, thanks Joan! ❤️

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Wow! What a fabulous package to receive—great idea! And so glad yo see your sweet kitty approves :-) I was going to try to avoid hotdogs this 4th, but now...I don't know. Mustard, sauerkraut and baked beans on the side...Oh Lordy!

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Tillie (my cat) was absolutely crazed! 🤣 omg, love baked beans, adding that to my menu!

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Love the name, Tillie!

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Me too, it suits her! 🐱

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What a great day to read about hot dogs, especially with amazing buns and condiments! We've ordered Chicago pizza in the mail, but never hot dogs. What a treat!

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Hi, Heather! Yes, a treat for sure! We are in hot dog 🌭 season! 😂 Hope you’re well!

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Have you read Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs yet? It’s on my very long food reading list! https://g.co/kgs/wVZ2qK

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Thanks, Mia, I know the book and have read about it, thanks for the link and reminder!

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