NJ Dogs - 2 New for me, old, old places.

This week I had a weekday off, so I decided to hit a couple of Hot Dog places in urban NJ that I had inforamtion on, but had never tried.

A & G Texas Weiners, Chestnut Street, Roselle: I've probably driven past this place 100 times, but never stopped to go in until a friend of mine recommended it. Great old 50's era coffee shop ambiance, really good Chili Dogs, if you like 'em spicy (I do). Probably the spiciest I have encountered, although I'd have to compare them to Father and Son in Linden to be sure.

Then I drove on into Newark, and Hobby's deli, still holding on as the last Jewish Deli outpost in rough neighborhood, but still apparently doing a good business with the locals, another throwback to the 50's. Their dogs are stubby, short, homemade all beef. Quite an unusual shape, looks more like a knockwurst, but it's an all beef hot dog. At first I was a little put off looking at it, but the taste was terrific! A little expensive (About $ 3.50 each, I got two), but worth it. Excellent homemade deli mustard in a cup on the side.

So that was my Tuesday, and a good eating day it was. ---Ken

Hi there.

Great to read your review. Just an "old" Jersey girl, at heart. Who makes "Hobby's" dogs? They sound great, as you describe.

No great "dogs" here, except "Weinerworks" (Carmichael, CA), or Costco, in CA

http://dinesite.com/info/rstrnt-305616/?&t=191312

http://www.pubcrawler.com/Template/dsp_restaurant_zoom.cfm/flat/ID=407234

http://webpages.csus.edu/~sac54089/Eating.htm

Ken,

I've also driven by A&G Texas Weiners many times and haven't stopped in. Most of the time they were closed. After reading your post, I decided to drive by on my way home, but they were closed. Do you know what brand of dog they used? And what dog is used at Hobby's? Do you have an address for Hobby's? Maybe I'll make a trip there. Lastly, do you know if Hobby's is open Sundays? Thanks.

when i was a teen, i worked at the cherry hill mall at a hot dog place called the fruit tree..we only served yankee maid brand dogs and after all these years i wonder what ever happened to them..cause the hubster proposed over one of those dogs covered in onion mustard and relish

<<I've also driven by A&G Texas Weiners many times and haven't stopped in. Most of the time they were closed. After reading your post, I decided to drive by on my way home, but they were closed. Do you know what brand of dog they used? And what dog is used at Hobby's? Do you have an address for Hobby's? Maybe I'll make a trip there. Lastly, do you know if Hobby's is open Sundays? Thanks.>>

Sorry I don't know what brand is used at A & G. As for the hours, I was there at about noon on a weekday, and I know they are open at lunch time on Saturdays, but I don't know how early they close.

Hobby's is at 32 Branford Place, corner Halsey, just a block or two west of Broad street. definately closed Sundays, I found pretty easy meter parking on Universty place, about 2 blocks away. According to the counter guy the dogs are thier own. As I said, they were really tasty, and a very unusual shape (fat and stubby).

Hope this helps. --Ken

I finally made it to A&G Texas Weiners last Saturday. I would have posted this last week, but had trouble finding this thread. Anyway, A&G closes at 4, which is when I leave work usually. This is why I never catch them open. This particular Saturday I left work early and thought I wouuld drive by in hopes of finding them open.

The place is a great old 50's style coffee house/luncheonette. There is a counter with stools and a griddle at the end of the counter near the window. Similar to the original Texas Weiner l in Plainfield. The dogs are Grote & Weigel Griddle Franks; the same ones that are used at most of the Texas Weiner places (Plainfield area style) that grill, rather than deep fry their dogs. And the chili is similar also; thicker rather than thin like the Paterson area places that fry the dogs.

You're right about this chili being spicy. It is similar in flavor to the other Texas Weiner joints, but with the added spice. A little hot for my taste, though still not as hot and spicy as Father & Son.

hello John ,
How would you rate the pplace compared to Father and Son and Mannys , and Syds ?
Just curious .

Also email me available days you can ge together for a mini meet .

Benzee

Sorry so late in getting back. Just saw your post. Anyway, A&G, along with many other places, are practically identical to Manny's. Meaning that they use the same Grote & Weigel griddle frank and top it with chili that is very similar. Many of the people who own these places worked as grillmen in other similar restaurants and then went out on their own. Yesterday I went to J&G Texas Weiners in Dunellen, which I've never been to previously. Same thing. I mean, if you've been to one, you've been to them all. On the way home, I stopped at Red Tower in North Plainfield. Same thing. Ditto Texas Weiner l, ll, and lll. There are also more than one Red Towers. Basically the same dog and the same chili with very minor differences. A&G's chili is slightly hotter. Manny's dogs aren't left on the griddle as long as some others (unless you request it).

I have found that although the dogs are the same size (6 to a lb), each place charges what they want. From $2.05 to $3.50 (Texas Weiner ll in Greenbrook). Red Tower was $2.86, G&G $2.60, A&G $2.25. I would go to the closest one or the closest cheapest one. If I had to pick one that I like the best, it would be Middlesex Texas Weiner by the slimmest of margins. Dog is $2.15, a little more time on the griddle than others, chili as good or a little better than some of the others, and a nice atmosphere with good service.

Father & Son serves the Grote & Weigel beef dog instead of the beef and pork Griddle Frank. And of course their chili is much different (and spicier). I prefer Father & Son to the Texas Weiner places, and Syd's to Father & Son.

quote:

Originally posted by ken8038
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According to the counter guy the dogs are thier own. As I said, they were really tasty, and a very unusual shape (fat and stubby).

Ken,
Hardly any place that serves hot dogs makes their own. Exceptions are small butcher shops. It's been my experience that many restaurants or deli's like to say that they make their own, but do not. Katz's is one example. I called Hobby's today. It took a little effort, but I got someone there to admit that the dogs are not made on premise. Then I was told that they use an all beef dog from Marathon. Well, being that the only dogs made by Marathon are Sabrett (although there is an all beef and a beef/pork dog) I concluded that Sabrett is the brand. The guy from Hobby's then told me that the dogs are 1/4 pound natural casing Sabrett's. You get them either boiled or broiled. This is a good dog. I'll be going soon.

Thanks for the detective work John. I kind of thought the counter guy wasn't telling the truth, but I didn't pursue it.

Actually, I'm kind of the opposite in that I usually prefer not to know the brand of dog I'm eating, at least the first time around. I feel it may prejudice me in one way or the other, I like to judge the dog purely on my own personal reaction to the taste.

Yes, Hobby's serves a real good all beef dog. Plus I really liked the mustard. Not sure if was homemade, but it was a real strong deli style mustard.

--Ken

Last Friday I drove to Hobby's. It was on a busy street and there was no parking. I was a little pressed for time, so I had to leave without trying their dog. I'll make sure that I go at a better time.

I'm always curious about the brand of dog served, but I agree with you. It would be fun to sample a hot dog first without knowing it's identity. As long as you could find out before you left.