wheelies-n-wieners t1_jefjapz wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:15 PM

Jersey has a few styles, 3 invented here: The ripper, the Texas Wiener, and the Italian Hot Dog.

My favorite spots:

Rippers: Rutt’s. What else can be said about this place? The gold standard. Hiram’s and Jolly Nicks are similar.

People like to say Hiram’s over Rutt’s, but I think it’s due to Bourdain growing up there and shouting them out. They both use the exact same dog (Thumann’s orange label) and deep fried. Hiram’s does toast the buns and uses a size larger than Rutt’s, and usually cooks them a little less, so they seem juicer.

Texas Wiener: Hot Grill is the gold standard, but I prefer Goffle or Riverview East (RIP closed a few weeks ago). Other popular TXW’s: J&G, TXW1, White Star, Johnny & Hange’s, Jersey Johnny’s (formerly Falls View Grill), Libby’s Lunch (RIP).

There’s even a Library of Congress collection about the Texas Wiener and it’s history along the Passaic river area.

https://www.loc.gov/collections/working-in-paterson/articles-and-essays/patersons-hot-texas-wiener-tradition/a-brief-history-of-the-hot-texas-wiener/

Italian Hot Dog: Jimmy Buff’s invented it and is the most famous, but give me Tommy’s in Elizabeth or Dickie Dee’s instead.

DWD: Hard to choose here cuz there’s too many options, but I love Hot Dog House. Randy the Hot Dog Guy rocks too.

Trucks: Curbside Cafe, Amabile’s, Dee’s Hut, Munce’s. JJ’s is the most popular truck in the state.

Some personal favorites: Tommy’s Carteret; Delicious food all around. Daddee Dogz, great dogs and cool dude. Maui’s Dog House, best stop around Wildwood.
Andy’s Roadside Dive, wacky creations.
Designer Dawgs. Destination Dogs, fancy bar hotdogs.
Mitch’s Roadside Grill. Paul’s Place. Boulevard Drinks, Clone of the NYC Papaya joints. Lover Dogs.

Disclaimer: haven’t hit all the spots SW of like Brunswick yet, but I’ve gotten every spot in north jersey.

Where I’ve gone:

https://www.google.com/maps/placelists/list/rX71nvE-SOmdukYIm8ZSgA

Where I’m going:

https://www.google.com/maps/placelists/list/hiNGFZVeQ5GitrRB_lzdDA

Check out my IG/FB pages for all the pics and spots.