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Ed is right. There is no comparison here. Boston should try to compare their food to KC or some place like that. To even mention the two places in the same breath is giving Boston way too much credit.

In fact both Papaya King and Gray's serve hot dogs made by Sabrett (or rather Sabrett's parent company, Marathon). Here's the hot dog story I wrote for the New York Times. It's all there.

Neither New England, New York, or DC wins the hot dog war. North Jersey (where the so called N.Y. Giants play) is the hot dog capital of the World. While New York likes to claim the Sabrett brand as it's own, Sabrett originated in Jersey City, N.J. The company was sold a few times and is now owned by Marathon enterprises of New Jersey. The grilled Sabrett dogs served at Papaya King were predated by the ones served at Boulevard Drinks in Jersey City, N.J.

North Jersey also has much more variety in hot dogs. The Italian Hot Dog originated here. You can't get an authentic one anywhere else. Jersey also has Boardwalk style grilled beef and pork dogs. Crif Dogs in Manhattan is a blatant rip off of Rutt's Hut in Clifton. A former owner of Crif's admitted as much to me. Best Provisions out of Newark produces an all beef dog that far surpasses Sabrett, Nathan's, or anything else. Thumanns makes the best German style beef and pork dog. And they make the special dog for deep frying that is served at Rutt's Hut, Crif's, and many hot dog establishments in North Jersey.

New England has a few good brands of dogs (mostly from Connecticut) but doesn't touch North Jersey, or even New York. I would say The Hudson Valley or further north in New York State is a good area for hot dogs. I've been there and sampled the "White Hots", and Coney's. Flo's in Maine is highly overrated. A very bland steamed dog that is mediocre. They used to use a local dog called Schutz that has since gone out of business. Now they use an equally bland Old Neighborhood brand dog. To those of us in the New York/N.J. area, these dogs are bland, but New Englanders like them and consider our all beef dogs too spicy. The big draw at Flo's is their onion relish. I've never had it since I hate onions. It is mixed with mayonnaise! From what I hear, it is an aquired taste.

Kayem from Maine is a decent pork/beef dog. Rare in New England are all beef dogs, but Pearl Country Club is ok. Still milder than Best, Sabrett, Nathan's, or Hebrew National, this dog is served in a giant half pound size at a cart in Boston called Boston Speed. It is first marinated in apple juice and brown sugar and then charcoal grilled and topped with the owner's homemade barbecue sauce and other toppings. This place serves perhaps the best hot dog in all New England. Good, but for the best all beef dog anywhere, go to Jimmy Buff's in East Hanover, N.J. and ask for the footlong. This is a delicious, all beef, natural casing dog from Best Provisions that is sauteed in oil and then chargrilled. It is the same dog that was served at the recently departed Syd's, which was considered the best dog in the east, if not the whole country by many hot dog connoiseurs. Look for Jimmy Buff's to be featured on the upcoming show Hot Dog Paradises. It will be aired within the next month or two on the Travel Channel.