Hankering for HoJo franks and buns...

I just came across this great site. I'm a Boston native, living in the deep south, and have fond memories of Howard Johnsons frankfurters and those wonderful toasted New England style buns which are simply impossible to find here. When we visit New England, we always make a stop at a Friendly's, which seems to have the closest thing to good old HoJo's franks, but it's a long time between trips. (There are virtually no Howard Johnson's left, sadly, and the last time we were at one, they didn't even have those great franks on the menu!) Down here the restaurant hot dogs are generally reddish and boiled (double yuk.) Does anyone have any idea of a place to order the New England style buns online? (I can get good hot dogs easily.) I need a fix before our next trip north! Thanks.

I vaguely remember Howard Johnsons, although I never had a hot dog there. There was one close to me that I went to with my family when I was a kid. Was wondering if anyone remembered the franks that they used. I believe that they were either cooked on a griddle or fried in butter.

quote:

Originally posted by John Fox

I vaguely remember Howard Johnsons, although I never had a hot dog there. There was one close to me that I went to with my family when I was a kid. Was wondering if anyone remembered the franks that they used. I believe that they were either cooked on a griddle or fried in butter.

John--when i cooksd at HoJos--LLOONNGG ago-i cant remember what brand of dog they were--actually i can--they were HoJo's own--but i dont recall who REALLY made them--but i DO know they and the buns both-were cooked on the flat top grill in real butter.

I remember those HoJo's weiners, and you're right...they were great. And it was the bun that made them so...toasted in butter! At any rate, I moved from NJ to Virginia about 15 years ago now and I couldn't find those buns anywhere. Then, miraculously, about 6 months ago, the Safeway near my house started carrying them. I buy them all the time. It's the one thing that I can get that tastes like home in the otherwise culinary wasteland that is Northern Virginia.

"Then, miraculously, about 6 months ago, the Safeway near my house started carrying them. I buy them all the time."

We don't have Safeways here (I do remember them from when I lived in Virginia, though) but maybe they have a website for locations and/or orders. Thanks.

I know there are lots of bakeries up there in NE that make these buns but i can recall only one name---Nissen Bakeries---might try to find there website---and see if they have a distributer that will send you some--might need to buy a case but i know that if you got some one to taste them toasted--you would have NO TROUBLE gettin rid of them!!!

Please describe those buns. Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by michaelgemmell

Please describe those buns. Thank you.

What everyone is talking about is known as the 'New England' style hot dog roll-its basically a slice of bread thats been permanently folded in the shape of a dog bun.....every bread maker east of Albany makes them..including Freihofer's whose main bakery is JUST east of Albany..which means their 'New England' rolls get distributed all over NY State and down into New Jersey now...

quote:

Does anyone have any idea of a place to order the New England style buns online? (I can get good hot dogs easily.) I need a fix before our next trip north! Thanks.

Hi There,

Like you I love the New England style buns. Luckily I have a buddy who owns a hoagie shop and the local Holsum Bakery delivers there. They make the NE style buns, but, they don't put many in the stores and they sell quick. However, I let the driver know I need some and he brings me a pack or two when they bake them the next time.

Here is there website www.butter-krust.com if you cant get them thru the site, email and I will see if I can get you some.

Thank you, Lou.

My sister used to take us to the lunch counter of W. T. Grant's in our home town of Galesburg IL. The bun was an elongated roll with cut sides and a slit down the middle for the dog. Grant's would grill each of the 2 cut sides in butter. It was all very tasty--with the added thrill of eating somewhere that Mother, "Woman Against Dirt," would not approve.

quote:

Originally posted by michaelgemmell

Thank you, Lou.

My sister used to take us to the lunch counter of W. T. Grant's in our home town of Galesburg IL. The bun was an elongated roll with cut sides and a slit down the middle for the dog. Grant's would grill each of the 2 cut sides in butter. It was all very tasty--with the added thrill of eating somewhere that Mother, "Woman Against Dirt," would not approve.

THATS the bun alright!!!

Dixie,

If I am reading you right the buns that you desire are center cut. Depending where you are in the south you should be able to get them at Harris-Teeter or Publix. They are made by Pepperidge Farms and are distributed nationally. I live in Baltimore and have them here at the local Giant. I've also been able to get them at the Publix and Harris-Teeter in Brunswick, Georgia.

BB

P.S These are also used for lobster rolls.

quote:

Originally posted by BakersBoy

Dixie,

If I am reading you right the buns that you desire are center cut. Depending where you are in the south you should be able to get them at Harris-Teeter or Publix. They are made by Pepperidge Farms and are distributed nationally. I live in Baltimore and have them here at the local Giant. I've also been able to get them at the Publix and Harris-Teeter in Brunswick, Georgia.

BB

P.S These are also used for lobster rolls.

and clam rolls---and at my house for tuna salad ,egg salad, crab salad, ham salad.Spam salad,fried baloney and cheese and PB&J!

I just use them for hotdogs and lobster rolls.

I shave off the top and ends of the bun and grill in butter.

"Depending where you are in the south you should be able to get them at Harris-Teeter or Publix. "

Alas, I'm in Mobile, AL. where we have neither. I do plan to check out a website or two suggested by posters. I will not be deterred in my quest!

HELLO EVERYONE,

I FINALLY FOUND OUT WHERE YOU CAN PURCHASE THE NEW ENGLAND STYLE BUNS. THE WEBSITE IS MAINELOBSTERDIRECT.COM. THE COST IS $7.45 FOR 12 BUNS. THERE IS A $30 SHIPPING FEEE THAT MAY BE WAIVED IS YOU PURCHASE LOBSTERS, LOBSTER TAILS OR LOBSTER MEAT.

I HOPE THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT

SWEET P

quote:

Originally posted by dixieagle

I just came across this great site. I'm a Boston native, living in the deep south, and have fond memories of Howard Johnsons frankfurters and those wonderful toasted New England style buns which are simply impossible to find here. When we visit New England, we always make a stop at a Friendly's, which seems to have the closest thing to good old HoJo's franks, but it's a long time between trips. (There are virtually no Howard Johnson's left, sadly, and the last time we were at one, they didn't even have those great franks on the menu!) Down here the restaurant hot dogs are generally reddish and boiled (double yuk.) Does anyone have any idea of a place to order the New England style buns online? (I can get good hot dogs easily.) I need a fix before our next trip north! Thanks.

I've contacted Nickles Bakery in Navarre, Ohio to find out whether their split-top New England style hot dog buns can be ordered in your area. I buy them in the Columbus area for about $1.49 for a package of six.

quote:

My sister used to take us to the lunch counter of W. T. Grant's in our home town of Galesburg IL. The bun was an elongated roll with cut sides and a slit down the middle for the dog. Grant's would grill each of the 2 cut sides in butter. It was all very tasty--with the added thrill of eating somewhere that Mother, "Woman Against Dirt," would not approve.

The FW Woolworths in the 1960's made them exactly the same way.

I was also looking for these buns, as the ones available in California are woefully inadequate !!!!! To say the least. The dog is'nt in the bun 2 minutes when it falls apart. I e-mailed a resdtaurant website that gave me your site, as well as the info that Pepperidge Farms makes the rolls. You have given me more options, including the fact the Safeway in Virginia is carrying them. Could you give me the brand name - I can go into my Safeway here, and maybe request an order through them. I'm so excited to know that others like me have not forgotten the New England rolls.
Barquats

Before anybody spends a lot of money on a wild goose chase trying to obtain Pepperidge Farm New England style frankfurter buns, please note that the PF division of Campbell Soup Company has something like 6 bakeries around the country that produce fresh baked goods. The New England style are certainly baked in Bloomfield, CT (which replaced the original bakery alongside US1 in Norwalk, CT). I have not been able to find out which other, if any, PF bakeries produce the New England style.

quote:

Originally posted by Barquats

I was also looking for these buns, as the ones available in California are woefully inadequate !!!!! To say the least. The dog is'nt in the bun 2 minutes when it falls apart. I e-mailed a resdtaurant website that gave me your site, as well as the info that Pepperidge Farms makes the rolls. You have given me more options, including the fact the Safeway in Virginia is carrying them. Could you give me the brand name - I can go into my Safeway here, and maybe request an order through them. I'm so excited to know that others like me have not forgotten the New England rolls.
Barquats

I read a similar thread a week or so ago you might be intrested in: http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7294

I have e-mailed Campbell, and spoken to my local Safeway store. Campbell is supposed to get back to me, and I can check my local Safeway store anytime. Thanks for the other thread, I'll ccheck it out.

Barb\Barquats

Have found a place to order the new england roll - www.mapleandmore.com. Two dozen rolls for $19.95 - includes shipping.
Barquats /Barb

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

quote:

Originally posted by John Fox

I vaguely remember Howard Johnsons, although I never had a hot dog there. There was one close to me that I went to with my family when I was a kid. Was wondering if anyone remembered the franks that they used. I believe that they were either cooked on a griddle or fried in butter.

John--when i cooksd at HoJos--LLOONNGG ago-i cant remember what brand of dog they were--actually i can--they were HoJo's own--but i dont recall who REALLY made them--but i DO know they and the buns both-were cooked on the flat top grill in real butter.

That last post wasn't actually me. At any rate, the Ho-Jo's buns were what really made the hot dog good, and they're impossible to find if you're not on the East Coast. HOWEVER, bakerscatalog.com has a special pan to make your own!! See item #5658. I can't wait to try it.