Hot dogs, pizza and bagels: Food worth hauling home in a suitcase

There is only one place to get a New York hot dog. In New York.

This presents a serious problem because I don't live in New York. The hot dogs from the stands on the street aren't the only amazing thing, there is also Ray's Pizza, NYC Bagels and amazing desserts from Roxy's in Times Square.

So, when you live thousands of miles away from the food you love, what do you do? Simple, you transport it across the country in your luggage.

Crazy right? I think not.

On my last trip to NYC, I brought home on the plane with me a bagel from a bagel cart, a hot dog from a hot dog stand, dessert from Roxy, and a piece of pizza.

I couldn't leave New York without it and for some reason it tasted even better when I got home… like I had access to a forbidden food.

This article appears in Jun 10-16, 2009.