Dogmatic Gourmet Sausage System

Dogmatic Gourmet Sausage System.. quite a mouthful isn't it? (pun intended) This newly opened storefront, lovingly referred to as simply Dogmatic, was formerly a street cart I'm ashamed to say I never visited. The new space is located right off of Union Square and is small and modern. The storefront is all glass, and the seating consists of a communal table in the middle with pull-out attached stools, and some seating on one side up against the wall (not big group friendly). When David and I went on a Thursday night they weren't busy, and we had no problem finding seats and our food came out pretty quickly.



The concept is fresh, locally made sausages (chicken, pork, beef, turkey) in little baguettes with your choice of "topping." They skewer the baguettes on these hot pokers, squirt in your sauce, and slide in the sausage-- and ta da! a fancy hot dog. The small-ish menu includes these variations of sausages, several fillings (see below, plus some), chips, ice cream, and various handmade sodas.

I ordered a turkey sausage with chimichurri sauce, David ordered a pork sausage with horseradish mustard, and we ordered an asparagus (as the menu says, "not a sausage") with truffle gruyere to share (each $4.50), along with a homemade grape soda ($2.50). The turkey sausage was tasty, but somewhat overpowered by the chimichurri.. albeit the chimichurri was yummy and fresh-tasting, if you like that sort of thing. The baguette was crusty and very good. I had a bite of David's, but mostly got the mustard--which was good, but there was too much of it. The asparagas was lightly grilled, but the star was the truffle gruyere sauce. The soda was creamy and, honestly, a little medicinal tasting. I kind of liked it, but David wasn't a big fan.

My advice is to try it if: you like sausage (shame on you if you are a meat eater and you don't), you like baguettes, and you don't mind paying $4.50 a pop for some good quality. One isn't quite enough, so if you're ravenous go for two, if you're with someone share a second one, or order some chips or ice cream to accompany. And please, try the truffle gruyere, but word to the wise: let it sit a moment, and eat with caution. Hot cheese may come shooting out when you least expect it! -Laurel

Address: 26 E 17th St (near Union Square)

Website: http://eatdogmatic.com/

Payment: cash or credit

Take Out: yes

Delivery: don't think so

Open Late: I'm not sure and I can't find it anywhere online. Sorry folks, I've failed you

Bar/Happy Hour: No alcohol, just homemade sodas.

Grey Dog's Coffee

The Grey Dog Café was just starting to fill up as we arrived one evening after work. We were lucky enough to snag a table and I decided to browse the extensive menu before getting in line to order. They serve everything from breakfast entrees to burgers, wraps to pb&j, and also serve a variety of coffee drinks, smoothies, and even beer and wine.

I wasn’t feeling overly hungry so I opted for the chili. I headed up to the counter to order and was pleasantly surprised at how efficient and speedy the staff was. Once I had placed my order, I returned to the table to wait for my meal to be delivered. A few minutes later everyone else at the table had gotten their orders. It hadn’t been long and I wasn’t concerned, but the next thing I knew, a waitress approached our table to apologize to me for misplacing my ticket in the line and causing me to have to wait so long for my food. She offered me a free desert for waiting and I chose the oatmeal raisin cookie to the disappointment of my table.

The chili arrived about a minute later and was served with a helping of cornbread. The chili itself was spicy and very hearty but the cornbread was a bit dry. The oatmeal raisin cookie was the size of the desert plate when it arrived. I highly recommend sharing these monster sized cookies. I tried to get my tablemates to share it with me, but I guess I was the only one who enjoys oatmeal raisin cookies so I ended up taking most of it to go. The cookie was perfectly crunchy around the outside and chewy in the middle.

The Grey Dog Café is a great place to go if everyone is in the mood for something different. The only drawback is that the music can be a bit loud so it may not be the perfect place to go and attempt to carry on much of a conversation. -Amy

The first time I went to Grey Dog's, I got my food to go because I was running to a movie. The sandwich was a little greasy, and I ate it so quickly, I didn't really remember what it tasted like. The second time, luckily, I got to sit down with some friends and enjoy myself, even though I was late. Laurel was sick this day, so she didn't do much eating, so we asked our good friend (who has reviewed before for us) and soon to be fellow New Yorker, Amy to help us with this review.

I wasn't feeling that well, and had decided to eat healthier, but I have never been able to resist a reuben, and dove right in. It came with chips and a pickle, all for $9.25. It might seem expensive for a sandwich, but it was huge, and I only dug through half. And surprisingly, the second half held together well for my next day's lunch. Laurel and I then split homemade apple pie ($5 for more than enough) - a tasty end to a great meal. I also got a hazelnut iced coffee, but it was not very tasty.

Also, as I'm one for ambiance, I certainly loved the music and decor. It was a cool, folksy cafe place where you can just chill with your friends. As a warning though, it gets very, very busy - there was a line to the door by the time we left, so get there early for dinner (around 6:30 works)! And supposedly if you go in the morning, there's a hot male barista working, and the same person who gave me that tip also says there's a hot chick barista too. Might be worth a peek - Jennifer

Address: 33 Carmine Street (@ Bleeker) and 90 University Place (@12th St)

Website: http://www.thegreydog.com/

Payment: Cash, Cards

Take Out: Yes

Delivery: Yes

Open Late: Til 12:30am on Fridays and Saturdays, til 11:30am other days

Large Group Friendly: Not really, and it fills up quickly

Bar/Happy Hour: Yes

Chat 'n' Chew

We found this place on our drunken adventures through Union Square. After eating at the Sunburnt Cow, we wandered through shop after shop buying nothing and salivating over everything, until I had such a headache, we just had to eat somewhere. I saw this place and thought the name was hilarious, so we decided to give it a try.

When we entered, the host and I instantly became best friends. In my drunkness, I am not only able attract gay men, but I also generally have more charisma than necessary. This was quite the case. He was my friend, and he wanted me to add him as a friend on Facebook because we were so tight. In fact, he gave me Tylenol from his bag in the back and called me "Drunky" to the waitress, and told her I was trouble! I, of course, completely forgot his name. Too bad, we were going to be best friends.

Unfortunately however, the burger I ordered made me feel awful, and I ordered it well done and it was practically bleeding. On top of it all, the whiskey and coke I ordered to alleviate my headache tasted absolutely terrible and I didn't even finish it. Then we got the bill - $7.50 for it! Okay, I know that isn't that much, but it tasted so bad that I was quite annoyed (I was more so annoyed because I had already spent well over $50 and knew I would spend a ton more).

Either way - you should go hang out with the host and completely ditch the food and drinks at this place. And if you do - will you let me know what his name is, please? -Jennifer




I can't remember his name either. But he was the highlight of this place.

The decor was eccentric and the menu was homestyle-- meatloaf, mac 'n cheese, burgers, etc. I had the soup of the day, chicken noodle. I have to say it tasted pretty good and had big pieces of chicken, but they forgot to take out the bay leaf. Plus, I can't say it's all that hard to make chicken noodle soup. Just isn't!

We all three collectively gave it a thumbs down on value. The food was overpriced for what it was, as we could have gotten the same quality at a diner for cheaper. It may be better for brunch, but I don't know that I'll be going back to find out anytime soon.

Try if you like, but it's not overly recommended by these two eaters. -Laurel

Address: 10 E 16th St (between Union Square W and 5th Ave)

Website: http://chatnchew.ypguides.net/

Payment: Cash, Cards

Take Out: yes, and catering

Open Late: 11 pm on weekdays, 10 pm on weekends

Delivery: yes, from 7th Ave to 3rd Ave/10th St to 23rd St

Large Group Friendly: they could probably accommodate.

Bar/Happy Hour: bar, yes - ridiculously expensive disgusting drinks.