A trip down memory lane in Phillipsburg
Friday, December 17, 2004
Jim's Doggie Stand, with its pea-green shingled exterior and walk-up counter, was a frankfurter fixture in downtown Phillipsburg since the 1960s. After Demetrius Spryidones "Jimmy" Makris, and then his wife, Antigone, died, the hot dog stand by the Delaware River was shuttered and faced condemnation by the town.
But a local firm, SMB Development, bought and renovated the building, and Jimmy's on the Delaware, within steps of the Free Bridge to Easton, Pa., opened June 11.
"It's a little trip down memory lane for a lot of people,' said Bill Wright, co-owner with his brother-in-law, Scott Baum, and several others.
Business has been "great, better than we expected," according to Wright. Jim's Doggie Stand offered hot dogs, chips and shakes; the menu at Jimmy's on the Delaware includes dogs, burgers, steak, Italian sausage and pork roll sandwiches, and "the best darn milkshakes this side of the Mississippi!"
"We make them with ice cream, a thin ice cream, plus flavoring," Wright said.
And the prices are Phillipsburg, not Pohatcong, prices. Hot dogs are 80 cents, with your choice of mustard, ketchup, hot peppers and relish; cheese, chili, sauerkraut, bacon and red onion sauce are 30 cents extra. Burgers are $2.75; a steak sandwich, $4.25
The deep-fried dogs, from Berks, have the requisite snap and pop, and you can't beat the price. Wright tried another brand at first, but quickly discovered the dogs didn't deep-fry well, so he went with Berks.
The chili dog, with a bean-studded sauce, makes for a nice, mushy mess; keep napkins close by. Wright's mom, Rosalie, makes the chili; Jimmy's sells about 60 pounds of it every two days. Wright's daughter, Shannon, her husband, Jeff Collura, and Wright's father, Bill Wright Sr., also work at Jimmy's. Wright Sr. is a co-owner.
The shakes here are thick, creamy and super-sized. "Best this side of the Mississippi" is a nice bit of hot dog stand hyperbole -- how about "among the best along the Delaware"?
Better-than-average burger. The steak sandwich is juicy, not greasy -- topped with a tasty, tomatoey steak sauce, and comes in a first-rate torpedo roll. The rolls are from Anthony & Sons in Denville.
Other items include a pork roll sandwich ($2.75); Tempo Italiano Dog (two hot dogs, onions, peppers, fried potatoes, ketchup and mustard on pizza bread, $3.50); and the aptly-named Thunder Burger (burger, pork roll and bacon with choice of condiments, $4.50).
Wright expects to open Riverside Chicken and Ribs right behind Jimmy's sometime in January. "I can hear things pounding as we speak," he said on the phone. And there are plans to hold a Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.
For those who grew up with Jim's Doggie Stand, Jimmy's on the Delaware is a must-nostalgic-stop. For hot dog or fast-food lovers, Jimmy's offers good, cheap food. No extra charge for the scenery.
Jimmy's on the Delaware7 Union Square, Phillipsburg. (908) 454-2999. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Web site:
www.jimmysonthedelaware.com Where should Pete eat nxt? Call him at (973) 392-1765 or email to
pgenovese@starledger.com.
Copyright 2004 NJ.com. All Rights Reserved.
