The Best Hot Dogs in New Jersey
New Jersey does not just eat hot dogs. New Jersey invented hot dog styles. The ripper was born in Clifton, the Texas wiener was born in Paterson and perfected across the north, and the Italian hot dog was invented in Newark in 1932. Almost a century later, the shops that built those styles are still frying, grilling and loading dogs the same way, and these seven are the ones worth the drive.
Rutt's Hut, Clifton. Start with the most famous dog in the state. Serving since 1928 at 417 River Road, Rutt's built its name on the Ripper, a Thumann's frank dropped into hot oil until the casing splits open, or rips. Order it with the house mustard relish, and get a second one before you sit down, because the first one disappears in about four bites. There is a reason this place anchors every New Jersey hot dog conversation.
Jimmy Buff's, West Orange and Kenilworth. This is the originator. In 1932, James Racioppi, nicknamed Jimmy Buff, started serving his wife Mary's creation in Newark: a deep fried dog tucked into round pizza bread and buried under fried potatoes, peppers and onions. The Italian hot dog was born, and his descendants still serve that same recipe today at 60 Washington Street in West Orange and 506 Boulevard in Kenilworth. Fodor's put it on its list of the best hot dog stands in America.
Hiram's Roadstand, Fort Lee. A tiny stand at 1345 Palisade Avenue has been deep frying hot dogs since 1932, and it has barely changed a thing. The dogs come off the fryer with a real snap, the homemade relish recipe is a guarded secret, the birch beer is cold, and the whole operation is cash only with picnic tables outside. It is the purest roadstand experience left in Bergen County.
Hot Grill, Clifton. Clifton gets two entries because Clifton earned them. Opened in 1961 at 669 Lexington Avenue by Italian and Greek immigrant partners, Hot Grill is where you learn what all the way means: a blistered deep fried dog under mustard, chopped onions and their silky secret recipe chili, which carries a whisper of clove and baking spice. It stays open late, it costs close to what it cost decades ago, and one dog is never the order. It is two, minimum.
Dickie Dee's, Newark. If Jimmy Buff's invented the Italian hot dog, Dickie Dee's has kept it honest in its hometown since 1958. At 380 Bloomfield Avenue, the D'Innocenzio family fries its dogs and potatoes in peanut oil, hand cuts the vegetables daily, and loads the pizza bread the Newark way. Regulars will tell you it may be the oldest Italian hot dog joint still standing in New Jersey, and the Italian cheeseburger, same treatment with beef patties, has its own following.
Hot Dog Johnny's, Buttzville. Yes, Buttzville is a real place, and the ride out Route 46 to 333 is half the fun. Families have been pulling up to this Pequest River stand since the Second World War for dogs at picnic tables by the water and a frosted mug of birch beer. You have seen the mustard yellow T shirts all over the state. The food behind the merch is the real thing.
Max's Bar and Grill, Long Branch. The Shore's entry started as a 25 seat boardwalk stand in 1928 and now runs as a full restaurant at 25 Matilda Terrace, still built around the foot long grilled beef and pork dog it made famous. The order is the Jersey dog: split and grilled, covered in cheese, then topped with planks of Taylor ham. Shore lore says a young Bruce Springsteen was a regular, and nearly a century in, Max's is still the dog the whole Shore argues from.
Seven shops, three invented styles, and not a single one of them trying to be anything new. That is the point. New Jersey's best hot dogs are a history lesson you can eat, and every one of these counters is still teaching it.
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