Oyster Blog

Carol Cain

Sarabeth's West on the Upper West Side

On Saturday and Sunday mornings (and, often, in the afternoon), restaurants in New York City become flooded for brunch. At some restaurants, people can wait hours for a table. As warmer weather approaches and more outdoor seating options become available, the ritual becomes even more enticing. If you’re in NYC with kids, these are the best spots on the west side:

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Hot dog topped with spicy onions & sauerkraut from Gray's Papaya

Hot dog topped with spicy onions & sauerkraut from Gray's Papaya

When visitors think of fast food in New York City, they often think of two things: pizza and hot dogs. And man do we have an awesome selection of both. As a New Yorker, I am not leery about grabbing a “dirty dog” from the corner vendor, or a messy slice from the local pizza joint down the block. But if you’re just visiting – especially with kids – it might be best to check out some of “must-try’s” that have earned an especially good reputation. Here are some of the best hot dog spots the city has to offer (in ascending order from cheapest to priciest):

Gray’s Papaya – This is a local favorite and can be found almost anywhere in the city (my favorite happens to be located in the cool area of 6th Avenue and 8th Street). These dogs are not only delicious, but also served with a friendly smile and very inexpensive. Two of these babies and a drink will only set you back $2.00 a person. On the streets of Manhattan, that’s pretty hard to beat!

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A half & half pizza pie at Lombardi's in NYC's Little Italy

A half & half pizza pie at Lombardi's in NYC's Little Italy

I’ve already shared some of my family’s favorite hot dog spots. The other “local dish” of New York City, the pizza, has a few places where adults and kids can enjoy a good slice, without the lines and with all the simplicity and basics of what makes a New York City pizza a must try when visiting.

Two Boots Pizza – If staying at the Grand Hyatt New York, then you have easy access to fabulous Grand Central Station, which happens to house my kids’ absolute favorite pizza spot (in the lower level food court). The pizza here is fresh and delicious, the service is great, and the prices are not too bad, especially for the amount of food you get. Choose from unique flavor combos like the Tony Clifton (wild mushrooms, sweet red pepper pesto, Vidalia onions, mozzarella) and The Dude (tasso, ground beef, cheddar & mozzarella). Lower dining concourse, Grand Central Station

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Economy Candy Market

Economy Candy Market

We’re just not talking about any old candy. We’re talking about the good stuff, the things that make kids both young and old giggle in delight at the sight of it all. Sweeten up your trip to New York with a stop at these four candy stores.

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