Best Hot Dog Places in NJ

Fun article from nj.com:

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/07/3_nj_hot_dog_joints_named_among_top_75_in_us.html#incart_river

I still miss Syd's and Don's....

Sad to see that Hot Dog Johnny's didn't make the list. Though their stubborn refusal to offer sauerkraut is an issue for hot dog lovers who want some on top of their hot dogs

Syd's and Don's used Best Provision Hot Dogs. Jimmy Buff's uses Best Provision

MsSumida, Livingston Bagel sells the same dogs used by Don's, Best Provisions, as you said, and they also sell the same hamburger patties served at Don's. But what I miss is more than the hot dog itself, but the unique experience of both places, especially Don's. Similar thoughts about Gruning's on the hill, before The Top rose on that property. Loved the view from there. But back to hot dogs. Spontaneous, Hot Dog Johnny's doesn't have chili sauce available either, and I find their dogs to be a bit on the bland side. Love that they have buttermilk, though (at least last time I was there--it's been a few years). It's a great trip to a classic roadside stand, at least once. That stretch of Route 46 is very popular with motorcyclists on great summer days, too.

We used to have a vacation house right on the river behind Marshall's Farm Stand, about four miles down from Hot Dog Johnny's. We'd stop there at least three or four times a year.

Rutt's Hutt

I miss Amazing Hot Dog in Verona.

MickeyMouse said:
Rutt's Hutt

Yes but the Rutts Hutt of the fifties made beef barbecue sandwiches with warm gravy that were just wonderful.

Jimmy Buffs!! for Italian Hot Dogs-Tony's hot dog truck in Newark near Branch Brook Park.

ebr95 said:
MsSumida, Livingston Bagel sells the same dogs used by Don's, Best Provisions, as you said, and they also sell the same hamburger patties served at Don's. But what I miss is more than the hot dog itself, but the unique experience of both places, especially Don's. Similar thoughts about Gruning's on the hill, before The Top rose on that property. Loved the view from there. But back to hot dogs. Spontaneous, Hot Dog Johnny's doesn't have chili sauce available either, and I find their dogs to be a bit on the bland side. Love that they have buttermilk, though (at least last time I was there--it's been a few years). It's a great trip to a classic roadside stand, at least once. That stretch of Route 46 is very popular with motorcyclists on great summer days, too.

I agree!

sorry to hijack the thread a bit, but...

Waiting at Don's for a table was always an experience. The front room, with benches along the wall, the bakery on one side, the ice cream on the other, everyone one-degree of separation from someone else. And then there was Don, calling out names, if he liked you he called your name with 'Dr' whether you were or not. Don's had great burgers, fries, onion rings, salads and more. I miss it to this day. Actually I miss the Pizza Burgers and salad with garlic dressing

Restaurants of today could be great if they followed his business model; great food, great customer service, a clean well lit interior and fair prices.

BTW, I had a cousin who used to work there on weekends in the '70's and she would come home with an average of $250-$300 in tips (Friday and Saturday nights)!

Amazing Hot Dogs used Best too

Best Provisions still makes the Syd's and Donn's hot dogs, among many others, and you can still go to the Newark facility and buy them.

Windmill.

quercus said:
Windmill.

These have been my second best choice -- Sabrett's with the natural casings is the tops, the choice of the best dirty hot dog carts in Manhattan. The only way to get Sabrett's with the casings is to order them online and have them shipped -- and the shipping costs are ginormous.

BTW, yet another Essex County "thing" -- I'm born and raised Italian, and never heard of an "Italian hot dog" until I moved to Maplewood. Someone once told me they originated in Staten Island, and I tend to believe it.

mums-google Jimmy Buffs and you will see what we call Italian Hot Dogs-of course they are an American invention but if I were Italian I would be happy to have my nationality in front of the name. They are delicious!

4 NJ Hot Dog Places named to top 75 in U.S.

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/07/3_nj_hot_dog_joints_named_among_top_75_in_us.html

I've lived in Essex County my entire life and I've never heard of an Italian hot dog

The Windmill is closed down

The Windmill in Long Branch is open. I was there last weekend.

Sorry. Thought you meant the one in Westfield which closed a while back

conandrob240 said:
Sorry. Thought you meant the one in Westfield which closed a while back

What about the one in Freehold?

Rutt's Hutt

Max's in Long Branch. Tommy's in Elizabeth and if its still open, Jerry's in Elizabeth...you move from one to the next. Hot Dog Johnny's is a stop for sure if you are heading back from the Land of Make Believe. Rutt's of course, as already mentioned.

bgs said:
mums-google Jimmy Buffs and you will see what we call Italian Hot Dogs-of course they are an American invention but if I were Italian I would be happy to have my nationality in front of the name. They are delicious!

Oh, heavens -- THAT'S an Italian hot dog??? Geesh, every Italian grandma makes the original recipe called Giambotta -- chicken, Italian sausage, peppers, onions and potatoes, along with some fresh tomatoes. Yum! Which reminds me, I haven't made it in a very long time.....

Hot Dog Johnny's is West of Land of Make Believe

My son wore his HDJ shirt when we went to the Ben and Jerry's tour in Burlington on Fathers' Day. As we were walking down the stairs, someone pointed out the shirt. Turns out they live in the next town over from us(I'm in NWNJ

blackcat said:
Hot Dog Johnny's is West of Land of Make Believe
My son wore his HDJ shirt when we went to the Ben and Jerry's tour in Burlington on Fathers' Day. As we were walking down the stairs, someone pointed out the shirt. Turns out they live in the next town over from us(I'm in NWNJ

but not too far out of the way...and closer to LOMB than to MSO.

And of course, kids love apparel that says "Buttzville"!

I have given several Hot Dog Johnny's tee shirts to grandkids. Butzville is a hit in the 5th grade.

Buttzville

Recently invited to Galloping Hill Inn at five points, Kenilworth. Thought it was pretty solid.

mums the word-a true Jimmy Buff's Italian Hot Dog is comprised of pizza bread stuffed with hot dogs that have been fried in oil, potatoes, onions and peppers fried in same oil...dripping greasy goodness....nothing like it....Jimmy Buff's lathers mustard on bottom on pizza bread...that is what I am referring to - not Jambot (spelled phonetically as the Italians in my family would pronounce it).

bgs said:
mums the word-a true Jimmy Buff's Italian Hot Dog is comprised of pizza bread stuffed with hot dogs that have been fried in oil, potatoes, onions and peppers fried in same oil...dripping greasy goodness....nothing like it....Jimmy Buff's lathers mustard on bottom on pizza bread...that is what I am referring to - not Jambot (spelled phonetically as the Italians in my family would pronounce it).

Oh, my! (Yes, that's how Giambotta is pronounced phonetically). How soon do your arteries harden after one of those? LOL!

I'm a bit of a purist about my food -- I'm very happy with a dirty hot dog with mustard, (red) onions and sauerkraut on a bun. Not that my delicate constitution can deal with that either any more. Age is a bitch sometimes.