Is This Hot Dog Worth $29?
Well, that’s what it sells for – at a new restaurant in New York’s midtown area called Mischa – and I ate it!
“Mischa” opened to great fanfare in May – and my wife Alex and I just had to try it – because all press reports were focused on one dish on the menu – the $29 hot go!
First, here’s what their website states:
Alex Stupak is the Chef and Co-Owner of Mischa.
Born in Massachusetts, Alex became a scholar of the avant-garde and molecular gastronomy movements. He worked as the pastry chef at Clio in Boston with Ken Oringer, then at Alinea in Chicago with Grant Achatz, and subsequently at wd~50 in New York City with Wylie Dufresne. He went on to open multiple restaurants under the Empellón brand, including a Midtown Manhattan flagship located at 510 Madison Avenue and ranked No. 19 on the New York Times‘ “100 Best Restaurants in New York City” list.
Alex was selected as one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs in 2013 and has since received multiple James Beard Foundation Awards nominations, including one for his 2015 book Tacos: Recipes and Provocations.
The restaurant has a modern, clean feel – and the staff the night we were there was upbeat, energetic, and eager to tell us about some of the unique dishes on the menu.
One such dish were the “long tots”, which are exactly what you think: extended tater tots…sadly, we didn’t hav them but here’s why:
The “Deviled Egg” Floating Island!
We started with this de-constructed deviled egg, with the yolk sitting atop an egg white tower, and the entire dish covered in trout roe and floating in a sauce!
Delicious!
Alex started with the “seven vegetables” which were just that: seven ramekins filled with such delights as shredded beats, marinated greens, marinated strips of red onion, cubes of butternut squash and more.
She loved it. I enjoy the variety of flavors on display, each with their own opportunity to shine.
Cue The “Black Hummus!”
We also had to try their signature “black hummus” dish, which is served with buttery garlic rolls – a smokiness to the hummus that works perfectly with the warm, garlicky bread!
Alex chose grilled Scallops with a creamy polenta, while I waited for my 8 oz., Wagyu beef infused hot dog to arrive!
Time To Bite Into The $29 Hot Dog!
When they bring the signature dish to the table, there is much fanfare: after all, it IS $29!
But it’s also huge, a full half pound of a wagyu blend perched on a toasty bun that is designed to allow the dog to hang proudly outside the bun…
A smoky ketchup is on the plate, but the other stars of this dish are served alongside the dog…
Yes, you get five additional condiments on a separate plate: Pimento cheese, bacon-habanero chili crisp, in-house yellow mustard, cucumber relish, and kimchi as well!
Each one gives each bite a unique taste – and the casing pops open to the bite, unleashing a decadently delicious hot dog!
Worth $29? Why not? I know where to get a $3 hot dog in town if I need one – this is a delicious adventure worth taking!
By the way, here is the link to the restaurant – check out all of their great food and events!
https://www.restaurantji.com/ny/new-york/mischa-/
Other dishes on the menu include Shrimp ‘n’ Grits, steamed Halibut, Baby Back Ribs – and this delicious looking Mushroom Patty Melt, with those long tots I mentioned before…worth a return trip to be sure!
There is always the danger that a restaurant offers up expensive food with a pretentious attitude – not the case here at all – a fun, relaxed environment, a very engaged staff, delicious mixed drinks and a fun evening!
Speaking of fun evenings in New York, I shared our wild meal at Wu’s Wonton King in Chinatown…click here to see just how many ways they can prepare this crab for you!
Katz’s Deli was the location for the hilarious scene from “When Harry Met Sally” – and they filmed it there – and it’s also home to one of the world’s greatest pastrami sandwiches:
You can see myt meal there, along with a celebration of all things pastrami by clicking on my story here:
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Categories: Alcohol And Bars, Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Eat This!, Fine Dining, Food, Food Pictures, Food Porn, Food Travel, Recipes, Restaurants, Travel, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
wow, I’d surely try it once. the restaurant looks like a great setting and the food is so interesting – a great combo
it was fun! thanks for commenting!
John, I might balk at $29 for a hot dog, but that is not an ordinary hot dog, which is plain to see. So if you can afford it, why not?
Best wishes, Pete.
My dad would love this hotdog which isn’t really a hotdog as its made from beef. All the food sounds interesting.
it. was! thanks!