Christopher Osburn

There are few foods more synonymous with summer than a classic, meaty hot dog. Rivaling the iconic s’mores, corn on the cob, and lobster rolls on the Mount Rushmore of summer foods, the hot dog is a staple from backyard barbecues to a day at the ballpark. And whether you prefer it deep fried, grilled, or boiled, today is its day in the proverbial sun. That’s because it’s National Hot Dog Day! Regardless of if you prefer your frank on its own in a toasted New England-style bun or slathered with everything from spicy mustard to zippy relish to chili and cheese, there are “snappy” deals aplenty today to celebrate this unrivaled salty, savory summer food and you don’t have to be Joey Chestnut to take advantage of them. Keep scrolling to see some of the best glizzy deals (including some freebies). Free Hot dogs for National Hot dog Day: Best Deals in the U.S. 7-Eleven If you’re stopping into your neighborhood 7-Eleven for a Slurpee today, members of its 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards loyalty programs can grab Big Bite hot dogs for only $2 through July 22nd. Circle K To celebrate National Hot Dog Day, Circle K is offering two roller grill hot dogs for only $1 using the Circle K app. Dog Haus Dog Haus is celebrating both National Hot Dog Day and its 15th anniversary. Members of its Haus Rewards loyalty program can get one free hot dog today. Love's Travel Stops To celebrate the holiday, Love’s Travel Stops is giving away free hot dogs through Friday. Simply use the Love's Connect App t

If you're anything like us, the summer temperatures have started to get to you. Luckily, Smorgasburg L.A. has a great way to beat the heat. Usually, the popular open-air food market is home to favorites like Cena Vegan, Daddy's Chicken Shack, Black Sugar Ribs Co and Baohaus. Now, it's ice cream's time to shine. Savory, umami and salty food aside, Smorgasburg at ROW DTLA just became ice cream central. This popular food venue is in the midst of a yearly event for Angelenos who enjoy creamy frozen treats. Running now through August 31, Smorgasburg L.A. is home to Ice Cream Alley. "Every year since we opened in 2016, Smorgasburg has celebrated summer by creating a special area of our market dedicated to sweet frozen treats," Zach Brooks, general manager of Smorgasburg L.A., said in a press release. Initially, the event was a National Ice Cream Day event, but it was so popular that it was turned into a two-month-long summertime pop-up that runs through Labor Day Weekend. The lineup includes the food venues' full-time frozen treat vendors as well as special guests. RECOMMENDED: The best ice cream in Los Angeles You'll have to visit Ice Cream Alley in the next few weeks if you want to try some of the guest vendors, including 626 Hospitality Group, with its chef-driven soft serve; Lefty Gelateria, with its small-batch gelato from Michelin-awarded chef Suyoung Park; Pampas Heladas Argentinos, with its artisanal Argentinian Helados; and the wildly popular Mateo's Ice Cream & Fruit Bars

In the words of LL Cool J: “Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years.” Even though KFC has been here for as long as any of us can remember—75 years to be exact—the iconic fast-food chain has decided that now is the perfect time for a “comeback”. In an effort to get new customers and bring back old fans of Colonel Sanders’s fried chicken featuring his “legendary blend of 11 herbs and spices”, the timeless chain is offering guests a free bucket of its crispy, savory fried chicken. That’s right, not just one wing or breast—an entire free bucket. RECOMMENDED: Satisfy your craving for crispy wings and spicy drumsticks at the best fried chicken restaurants in America The Kentucky Fried Chicken folks are referring to it as a “Free Bucket on Us,” a deal that gets you a free eight-piece bucket of Original Recipe fried chicken or tenders with a $15 or more purchase made through the KFC app or on KFC.com. (The offer must be redeemed prior to checkout.) After you get your bucket, all they ask is that you try the chicken, tell them what you think about it, and do your part to help with the brand’s comeback. "We're well aware of the latest fried chicken rankings and I'm fired up to launch a bold Kentucky Fried Comeback and remind America exactly who we are. If people can give their ex a million second chances, I hope our fans can give us one," Catherine Tan-Gillespie, President, KFC U.S. said in a press release.  "By listening to our customers and addressing feedback, we'll recla

If you missed the news, Sunday, July 20 is National Ice Cream Day—it's the day we celebrate all things related to that creamy, dreamy dessert. It's also the perfect day to eat your weight in ice cream cones, cups, and fudge-covered, cherry-crowned sundaes.  But not everyone can handle all that dairy. We definitely don't want to leave our lactose intolerant friends out and, luckily, KIND Snacks has them covered, too. They've decided that in addition to traditional ice cream, the day is an excellent time for plant-based frozen bars, too. In an effort to raise awareness of its KIND Frozen bar line, the brand is launching a one-day pop-up on July 20th to celebrate the summeriest of dessert-themed holidays. RECOMMENDED: 11 best ice cream shops in NYC, including modern parlors and long-time frozen favorites Fans of frozen treats can find the pop-up this Sunday at 181 Mulberry Street in Soho from 12 to 5 p.m. Not only will KIND be offering guests a chance to try its new KIND Frozen bars for free, but it will also have onsite brand engagement and summer swag giveaways aplenty. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KIND Snacks (@kindsnacks) The party isn't solely onsite in Soho, though. KIND is also offering social media giveaways on its Instagram account from now through July 21st, featuring a year's supply of KIND Frozen bars and a branded cooler to store all of your free treats in. As a bit of background, KIND frozen Bars are a welcome respite from

Since 1900, the Michelin Guides, have been the pinnacle of the restaurant critique world—its name carries a lot of weight, pun intended. Published by the French tire company Michelin, this elite company awards up to three Michelin stars for culinary excellence, making membership a big deal. And as of today, July 16, the Michelin Guide has welcomed a new crop of acclaimed eateries to its 2025 selection of restaurants, including a handful of new standouts from New York City. RECOMMENDED: The 34 best restaurants in NYC right now, including dazzling newcomers and familiar favorites It should be noted that, when reviewing restaurants, Michelin restaurant inspectors pay no heed to the décor, table settings, or even the quality of service. They do look at the quality of the ingredients used to make the dishes, the mastery of the flavor palate and cooking techniques, the amount of the chef's personality found in the fare, the harmony of the flavors, and the consistency of the product based on multiple visits. All in all, they take selection very seriously. And that selection includes some seriously good New York restaurants: joining 16 other local restos that joined the Michelin Guide earlier this year (including Cafe Commerce, Crane Club and Smithereens) are 14 fresh additions including Yemenat, a "cozy, family-style spot" serving Yemeni cuisine in Bay Ridge ("Dining here is more than just a meal; it's a soul-nourishing experience," reports the Guide); Hungry Thirsty, a southern Tha

When it comes to sweet, frozen treats, the most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us—and no, we’re not talking about Christmas in July. We’re talking about National Ice Cream Day, which this year falls on Sunday, July 20. And to celebrate, Salt & Straw—the famed Portland, Oregon creamery that has locations on the Upper West Side and the West Village—isn’t just doing one day of creamy desserts this year. Instead, it’s hosting a whole festive week with a slew of special promotions, new menu items and, yes, free ice cream. RECOMMENDED: 11 best ice cream shops in NYC, from modern parlors to long-time frozen favorites From Monday, July 14 to Sunday, July 20, Salt & Straw will announce specials throughout the week in-store and online, including perks such as complimentary scoops for kids and free waffle cones daily (for those who enter their email and sign up for the Salt & Straw app). The parlor's National Ice Cream Week programming kicks off on Monday, July 14 with its new topping lineup, featuring a chocolate sauce made from Heirloom Peruvian organic cacao and organic cacao butter, Colombian sugar dark with molasses, and Himalayan pink salt. Other new garnishes include marionberry coulis, candied cocoa nibs, chocolate granola, and wild Italian Amarena cherries slow cooked in copper pots, guaranteed to add a sweet and tart kick to your ice cream sundae. Friday, July 18 sees the launch of the brand's new Strawberry Shortcake Waffle Cone. Guests can order their favorite ic

Summer in New York is about to get a lot more exciting, especially along the water: On July 17th, the Grand Banks crew is opening The Yacht Club, a 20,000 square-foot, two-floor seafood and nightlife destination docked right along the Hudson in Chelsea. Where would you rather be on a humid summer day than having raw oysters and refreshing cocktails overlooking Manhattan's westside waters? RECOMMENDED: The 18 best waterfront restaurants in NYC for top-notch views Founded in 2014, the maritime-themed hospitality group Crew is the brainchild of brothers-slash-sailors Alex and Miles Pincus. The aptly named Yacht Club is far from the duo's first foray into the world of seafood restaurants—they already own and operate nautical numbers including Pilot, Drift In, High Tide, Island Oyster, Holywater and the aforementioned Grand Banks.  Photograph: Marcus LloydThe Yacht Club You don't have to own an over-the-top boat or even enjoy the music of smooth, mellow yacht rock greats like Hall & Oats and Toto to enjoy the seafaring vibes at The Yacht Club. You simply need to have an affinity for fresh, flavorful seafood and a fun drinks list. Chef Andres Grundy (formerly of L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Raoul's) curated and created the food menu, which includes maritime snacks like shrimp cocktail, ceviche and both raw and prepared oysters (caviar topped, Creole buttered and so on) as well as more substantial fare including seared Montauk tilefish with summer corn bisque, lumache with littl

Fans of mouthwatering candy shops like the BonBon Swedish Candy Co. have a reason to celebrate this summer. Co-founder Selim Adira, along with Emon Maasho, recently opened a brand-new foodie destination, but instead of another candy shop, this time they've debuted a Swedish bakery concept.  As a bit of background, Adira and Maasho both have Swedish and Moroccan ancestry and used that heritage as the basis for their recent endeavor. Located in Brooklyn Heights, the new bakery opened in late spring and serves a mixture of Scandinavian breads and pastries with an emphasis on East and North African flare.  RECOMMENDED: The BonBon candy store crew just quietly opened a new spot in Brooklyn Named for the Moroccan word for “community oven,” Ferrane’s menu features artisan bread and handmade pastries baked fresh daily. Made with Swedish-made Revent ovens, some of the popular items include a Swedish cinnamon bun called kanelbulle, prinsesstårta (a.k.a. princess cake), and a variety of Swedish bread scratch-made using custom-milled grain flours from Brooklyn Granary & Mill. The coffee is sourced from smallholder farmers in Kenya, Ethiopia, and other java-centric locales.  Photograph: Courtesy FerraneFerrane in NYC Photograph: Courtesy FerraneFerrane in NYC Ferrane is located near the Brooklyn Bridge at 57 Clark Street, in the building that formerly housed the historic Hotel St. George. Built in 1895, the venue features the original marble floors and timeless ceiling moldings with a