Memorial Day is upon us…. The official start to summer. Vacations down the shore, family traditions and backyard barbecues. NJ is ICONIC for many reasons…. Frank Sinatra, Thomas Edison & his many inventions, the first game of baseball ever played, Lucy the Elephant, George Washington Crossing the Delaware, Bruce Springsteen & SOME OF THE BEST HOT DOG JOINTS IN THE USA! Okay, NJ is known for many, many other great things too, but in the spirit of the BBQ season let’s get into the hot dog spirit!
When I was a kid, my dad would take us to Dickie Dee’s in Newark or to the hot dog trucks in Branch Brook Park in North Newark. Italian Hot Dogs hold a special place in my memory bank…. Along with Italian Ice from Jackie’s Lemon Ice in Belleville — but I am getting off track!
Recently, my father took my oldest son for hot dogs for the first time and I felt like it was a “NJ bonding experience” between grandfather and grandson. I asked him a million questions about his experience and he looked at me like I was nuts! They went to Rutt’s Hut in Clifton. My son, Cole, had his with cheese and my father had his loaded. They stood to eat their dogs and Cole was most amazed at the speed at which they processed the orders. At the end of our conversation he told me it was good but did not hold a candle to a Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheese Sandwich! Honestly, I must agree. I think Taylor Ham is the true NJ meat of choice. Perhaps I will write about ICONIC places to eat Taylor Ham sandwiches next month — stay tuned!
Which is your favorite hot dog joint in NJ? Your friends at TeamPAR would love to know!
Rutt’s Hut
417 River Rd, Clifton, NJ
Try the ripper — Deep-fried so perfectly that the skin rips apart!
Rutt’s Hut “ripper” has been named one of the best hot dogs in America by USA Today. They are called rippers because the casing rips a bit when the hot dogs are deep-fried, leaving them perfectly crispy and delicious. The menu also features hot dogs known as “cremators” and “wellers”, but the ripper is what Rutt’s Hut is famous for. Don’t forget to add some of their amazing relish on top of your hot dog, and save room for their renowned onion rings too!
New Jersey Italian Hot Dog Recipe, by Hank Shaw
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients
Ideally you would find the special pizza bread roll, which is round, like a muffuletta roll. These can be hard to find, though, so use a good sandwich loaf. Try to avoid using a hot dog bun; those are too small for the Jersey dog.
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
- 2 medium green peppers, sliced into strips
- 1 large yellow or white onion, sliced into strips
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or a mixture of oregano, basil and rosemary
- 8 beef hot dogs, preferably with natural casings
- 4 sandwich buns
- Mustard
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or skillet or griddle until it shimmers. Put the potatoes in the pan in one layer and fry on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes without touching them. Use a metal spatula to scrape the potatoes off the bottom of the skillet, flipping them. Sprinkle salt over the potatoes, and cook for another 2-3 minutes without touching them.
- Remove the potatoes, which should be partially browned, to a bowl and set aside. Turn the heat to high and add the peppers and onions. Arrange evenly in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes without touching them. Sprinkle salt over them, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes untouched. There should be some browned and even blackened bits here and there. Add the Italian seasoning and the potatoes to the pan, stir to combine and cook over medium-high heat until they are soft and nicely browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- Heat a grill or a frying pan to cook your hot dogs; don’t boil your dogs for this recipe. Grill or fry until they are done to your liking and set aside.
- Liberally smear mustard on both sides of the sandwich roll. Add two hot dogs per roll and top with as much of the potatoes, peppers and onions as will fit. Serve at once.