RE: Jersey Hot Dog Tours and Mini Meets
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Sun, 09/10/06 8:58 AM
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#200 )
Everything is set for next week's 3rd Annual New Jersey Hot Dog Tour! Hopefully we will have good weather. We will be meeting at the Galloping Hill Inn in Union at 11:00. Those of you coming from New York will meet in Orange County at 9:30. Following is a list of stops and a description of the dogs. First off, let me stress that you pace yourself. I enourage sharing. It's hard to eat 11 hot dogs, so it would be wise to pick and choose. You may want to omit some dogs that you've tried in the past and don't particularly care for. Or some that you may not like the style (deep fried, for example). Or have a bite or 2. I will do my best to describe the dog at each place while we are on the bus. For now:
1) Galloping Hill Inn, Union. The dog is a beef/pork frank made to the original recipe that was produced by a German Pork store. The store changed owners, but the dog is being made by Grote & Weigel of Connecticut. Different than the standard Grote & Weigel Griddle Frank that is served at many N.J. and Conn. hot dog establishments including Manny's. This dog is a favorite of some of our New York contingent. In my opinion, one of the three best pork/beef dogs in Jersey.
2) J's Beef, Linden. They serve an authentic Chicago Style Dog. In fact, they are the only place in Jersey that does. Vienna Beef dog, poppy seed bun, yellow mustard, neon green relish, chopped onions, pickle spear, tomatoes, and celery salt. They also have great barbecue, and Chicago Style Italian Beef sandwiches.
3) Jerry's Famous Frankfurters, Elizabeth. A walk up store front serving a tasty Best's brand frank. Boiled, then finished off on a grill. One of my top 3 favorite hot dogs.
4) Tommy's Italian Sausage and Hot Dogs, Elizabeth. Next to Jerry's. They serve a great Italian Hot Dog. Oven baked pizza bread (sort of like a pita) stuffed with fried beef dogs, onions, peppers, and thin sliced potatoes. Voted best Italian Hot Dog by the Star Ledger's S.W.A.T. Dog Team, of which myself and ScreenBear were members.
5) Manny's Texas Weiners, Union. An authentic Jersey style Texas Weiner. They use the standard Grote & Weigel Griddle Frank and top it with mustard, onions, and chili. Similar to that place in New York that Benzee, Coney Island Lou, Seafarer John, Brooklyn Bill, Akavar, and Walt visited recently.
6) Syd's, Union. Voted best grilled dog in the state. There were five categories that were voted on (grilled, dirty water, deep fried, chili, and Italian). After the voting was done, each of us were asked to name our favorite hot dog out of the 87 we sampled. Five out of 8 picked Syd's. It is a 5 to a lb natural casing Best's all beef dog that is boiled and then charbroiled. A great spicy kosher style dog.
7) Tony's Truck, Newark. A popular truck serving boiled or "dirty water" hot dogs. Second place in the dirty water category, I happen to like this one better than the one that came in 1st. You can see the entire article in the Jersey Hot Dog thread. I have provided a link, which is good for 14 days. The dog is an all beef Golden D brand dog. A little less spicy than Sabrett, with a nice snap to it. Tony's is known for having the spiciest hot onions in the state. I don't eat them, but those who do love them. They also have a spicy, tomatoey chili that is more in the style of Father & Son than the clovey, nutmegy chili of some of the Texas Weiner joints. A great example of a New Jersey Hot Dog Truck.
8) Dickiee Dees, Newark. One of the older Italian Hot Dog restaurants. Pictures of celebrities who have eaten there on the back wall. Different than Tommy's in that the potatoes are sliced in chunks rather than thinly sliced. The peppers are crunchier also. Tommy's are sauteed and soft. The dogs here are fried in peanut oil and taste exceptionally good.
9) Amazing Hot Dog, Verona. Open less than a year, AHD took 1st place for deep fried dog. They serve a quarter pound Best's all beef dog. Perhaps the most original toppings. Everything ranging from bacon to pineapples and cream chesse. They also have one of the best chili sauces that I've tasted.
10) Libby's Lunch, Paterson. One of the original Jersey Texas Weiner joints. Opened in 1936, they serve the North Jersey or "Hot" Texas Weiner, which is a deep fried, rather than grilled dog topped with thin rather than thick sauce. Considered by many to be the definitive Jersey Texas Weiner. In Libby's and Manny's, we have examples of the 2 types of Texas Weiners. North Jersey or "Hot" and Plainfield area (Manny's) which grills the dog and tops it with a thicker chili. Libby's is located next to the Falls. Before stopping in, we will walk across the street and get a view of the Falls.
11) Rutt's Hut, Clifton. Rutt's is one of the most popular hot dog joints in the state. Second place to Amazing Hot Dog in the deep fried category, they are really 2 different styles. AHD serves a well seasoned beef dog, while Rutt's uses a milder Thumann's dog made especially for deep frying. Libby's, mentioned above, also uses the Thumann's dog. Rutt's relish is unique and wildly popular.
Looking forward to seeing everybody Saturday. It will be a great time, just as the other 2 tours were.
