Continuing our culinary escapades in Brooklyn, NYC, we move from Tom’s Restaurant to Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island, the birth place of an American Institution - The hot dog.

What began as a nickel hot dog stand way back in 1916 in Coney Island is today a corporate entity and a brand name which hawks fastfood at thousands of franchise outlets, along with a bevy of branded products under Nathan’s Famous (www.nathansfamous.com). 

Even more famous is Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is held annually on July the 4th. This year’s event, attended by about 50,000 people, was hosted live on ESPN.

Six time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi was beaten by Joey Chestnut, a San Jose University student, who gobbled up 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Suffice it to say that these are hallowed grounds to eat a hot dog.

But you’re not just here for food. You’re making history. You’re a part of a movement. It’s Inspiring. Like a carnival. You don’t just eat a juicy hot dog with sour kraut and onions, liberally doused with Deli style mustard, followed up with chilli cheese dogs and cheese fries. You look at it - Your mouth waters. You eat it, you want more. So you eat some more. Then you keep coming back.

For a foodie, a pilgrimage to Coney Island for a Nathan’s hot dog meal is comparable to a stroll on the Walk of Fame along Hollywood Blvd. and Vine Street for a celeb crazy fan. If you’re on a foodie tour of New York City, this is one stop you seriously do not want to miss.

Info: 1310 Surf Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11224; (718) 946-2202. Suggested eats -Hot dogs with cheese fries with lemonade. Web: www.nathansfamous.com