Total disillusionment

Okay. I know I'm gonna get buried for this, but here goes:

I took a hot dog safari in northern N.J. yesterday. First stop, Callahans -- the original, on Palisades Avenue. Decent dog. Nice folks. Good selection of condiments. Clean. But nothing, nothing, compared to Katz's or even (!!) Nathan's.

Didn't bother to move the car, just walked across the street to Hiram's. Funky joint, funky staff. Limited choice of condiments. Threw most of the dog in the garbage and fled.

Last planned stop: Rutt's Hutt. Huge place for a hotdog venue. Nice toasted bun. Utterly inedible dog. Ice-cold, flavorless relish. Level of service, presentation, cleanliness appalling.

Major question: WHAT'S WITH THE DEEP FRYING? DO YOU YAHOOS ACROSS THE RIVER REALLY LIKE BURST HOTDOGS DRIPPING WITH STALE, VERGING ON RANCID, FRYING OIL?

Sorry. Couldn't help myself. But the common thread over there is that the dogs have no meatiness, no substance AND NO FLAVOR.
We stopped at a little joint on the way back and had a Sabrett's dirty water, just to cleanse our palates. It wasn't real hot, and wasn't real big, but it wasn't fried and it tasted like actual meat, not soy protein or oatmeal or whatever they use "over there" to bulk up their dogs.

By the way: last month, stopped at the famous Walter's in Mamaroneck. A horrible dog, dry bun, no choice of condiments -- mustard only.
So I'm really encouraged. If this is the pinnacle of hotdoggery in the tristate area, my planned hot dog shack should do real well.
Last note: the best dogs I ever ate were in a little glatt kosher joint, which disappeared years ago, on 58th or 59th St. east of Lexington. I used to walk seven or eight blocks out of my way to get one.

Next stop: the "Italian" dogs in Jersey. I'll be back, assuming that my gall bladder holds up. Cheers.

Scallion,

I'm confused. Did you or did you not like Rutt's Hut?



Cakes

It is funny everyone has different tastes when it comes to hot dogs.
Some people like them spicy some like them bland. There are pork and beef dogs and there are all beef dogs dogs with chicken and dogs with turkey. I could go on and on but the dogs I like best are Rutts hut's
far above the rest. Jmho.

Frying hot dogs is big in Southwestern Connecticut, too. I just had a few from Mr. Mac's Canteen yesterday and was reminded just how good they are (like I need reminding! ). This photo was taken a few visits ago:

sure. de gustibus. and i loathe bland foods, for the most part, unless they're intended to be bland. and i draw a distinction between bland and flavorless.
but i'm still curious: what is it about Rutt's that you like?

quote:

Originally posted by alesrus

It is funny everyone has different tastes when it comes to hot dogs.
Some people like them spicy some like them bland. There are pork and beef dogs and there are all beef dogs dogs with chicken and dogs with turkey. I could go on and on but the dogs I like best are Rutts hut's
far above the rest. Jmho.

okay. okay. where is this joint. i'm in southern ct. a fair amount, and never know when i'll need a good case of heartburn to keep me awake on the drive home.
actually, i went to school in southern ct. and don't remember eating any hotdogs at all. now burgers and pizza, that's another story.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Stern

Frying hot dogs is big in Southwestern Connecticut, too. I just had a few from Mr. Mac's Canteen yesterday and was reminded just how good they are (like I need reminding! ). This photo was taken a few visits ago:

Here is the review with the addresses of both of their outlets: http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Writeup.aspx?ReviewID=2177&RefID=2034

quote:

Originally posted by 6star

Here is the review with the addresses of both of their outlets: http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Writeup.aspx?ReviewID=2177&RefID=2034

Steve DD,

Check out the close up on the review: it's a natural casing.

CSD

Steve Doggie - loved your website! Looks like y'all have a lot of fun. I have not seen a Der Wienershnitzel in years and read your review - "Just thinkin about those hotdogs makes me hu-un-ger-ey" - Remember that song?

Ha.... "total disillusionment" involves living "south southern Georgia" and even trying to find a mediocre hot dog.

I took a hot dog safari in northern N.J. yesterday. First stop, Callahans -- the original, on Palisades Avenue. Decent dog. Nice folks. Good selection of condiments. Clean. But nothing, nothing, compared to Katz's or even (!!) Nathan's.

Didn't bother to move the car, just walked across the street to Hiram's. Funky joint, funky staff. Limited choice of condiments. Threw most of the dog in the garbage and fled.

Last planned stop: Rutt's Hutt. Huge place for a hotdog venue. Nice toasted bun. Utterly inedible dog. Ice-cold, flavorless relish. Level of service, presentation, cleanliness appalling.

Major question: WHAT'S WITH THE DEEP FRYING? DO YOU YAHOOS ACROSS THE RIVER REALLY LIKE BURST HOTDOGS DRIPPING WITH STALE, VERGING ON RANCID, FRYING OIL?

Sorry. Couldn't help myself. But the common thread over there is that the dogs have no meatiness, no substance AND NO FLAVOR.
We stopped at a little joint on the way back and had a Sabrett's dirty water, just to cleanse our palates. It wasn't real hot, and wasn't real big, but it wasn't fried and it tasted like actual meat, not soy protein or oatmeal or whatever they use "over there" to bulk up their dogs.

By the way: last month, stopped at the famous Walter's in Mamaroneck. A horrible dog, dry bun, no choice of condiments -- mustard only.
So I'm really encouraged. If this is the pinnacle of hotdoggery in the tristate area, my planned hot dog shack should do real well.
Last note: the best dogs I ever ate were in a little glatt kosher joint, which disappeared years ago, on 58th or 59th St. east of Lexington. I used to walk seven or eight blocks out of my way to get one.

Next stop: the "Italian" dogs in Jersey. I'll be back, assuming that my gall bladder holds up. Cheers.

I recently took a friend of mine who owned a nice Hot Dog place in the Dallas area, to Chicago for the first time. We stopped at Portillos and he said it was the worst Hot Dog he had ever had. He kept going on about this until I enlightened him to the fact that while we were eating this single Portillos just sold more Hot Dogs than he did in a week. Gues its a matter of individual taste.

Scallion1,

You're not alone in your dislike of Rutt's Hut. My family absolutely hates their dogs. I like them, but they may be an aquired taste. The first time I had one, I thought it was nothing special. But then again, I was comparing them to the more agressively spiced kosher style all beef dogs. It seems like many people who like the all beef consider Rutt's and the others you sampled bland. And people living in the areas in North Jersey where these dogs are prominent consider Sabrett's too spicy/garlicky.

The dog used at Rutt's and Hiram's is a special dog made by Thumann's for deep frying. It does not contain oatmeal or any cheap filler. It has soy protein concentrate (which cannot even be tasted) and semolina which aid in deep frying. Callahan's, believe it or not, uses a dog made by Sabrett. It is just not all beef. It is milder than the Thumann's dog served at Rutt's and Hiram's. I would try Rutt's again, but ask for a dog well done. Last time I was there, the dogs could've spent more time in the fryer.

As I said, Rutt's Hut hot dogs evoke widely differing opinions. But there are plenty of yahoos on your side of the river that like this type of dog. Ever hear of Crif Dogs in Manhattan? A blatant rip-off of Rutt's. One of the former owners admitted as much in an e-mail to me several years ago. But the dogs that you sampled in Jersey are really only one particular type. You haven't tried some of the grilled all beef dogs here. Or the grilled beef and pork dogs.

From your post, it seems that you are partial to the spicier beef dogs. If you like the dogs at Katz's, (which are grilled Sabrett's) you would like the dogs at Boulevard Drinks in Jersey City. Same Sabrett dog, but in a smaller size. Did you know that Sabrett began on Henderson St. in Jersey City? Originally a Jersey dog. But there are better. Syd's in Union serves the best all beef dog that I've had at a hot dog joint. And that includes Katz's, Papaya King, Nathan's, and Gray's. Father & Son Luncheonette in Linden, and Jerry's in Elizabeth are also very good.

I'm glad that you will be sampling Italian Hot Dogs. I think you'll like these. The best is Charlies Famous in Kenilworth. If you go there, you should also hit the Galloping Hill Inn. Very popular with fellow roadfooders when we had the tour in Sept. They serve a griddle fried (not deep fried) beef and pork dog. Very flavorfull, but without the garlic of an all beef dog. And very little grease. The Windmill in nearby Westfield makes a good dog in this style also. And they use the same Sabrett beef/pork dog as Callahan's. If you try this dog, you'll see the difference that another method of cooking makes. Same dog at both places, yet a big difference in how they taste.

I agree with you regarding Walter's, but I would hardly call them "the pinnacle of hotdoggery in the tristate area". If you wander into Connecticut, try Mac's, Danny's, or Swanky Frank's. All use the same Hummel's dog and deep fry it. Considerably spicier than the Rutt's dog, although I prefer Rutt's myself. And by all means, if you're near Hartford, stop at Rosco's Big Dog. Their dogs come in 2 sizes; 6 to a lb, and a larger 4 to a lb dog. They are a beef and pork blend that is cooked on a griddle. In my opinion, the best hot dog in Connecticut, and the best beef and pork dog anywhere. It is milder than an all beef dog, yet very tasty.

Don't judge hot dogs in the tristate area based on just one style of hot dog. Try some of the ones suggested and let us know what you think of them.

Love Poem to a Hot Dog

Oh thou frankfurt between a bun,
Why dost thou cause me so much fun?
I love thee for breakfast for lunch and for tea
I love thee in between times, constantly.
Tho' thy quality varies from New York to Rome,
Thou art there late at night for me to take home.
Thy savs are as red as my true love's lips
Thou art a sexual experience, without any hips.
Why don't they serve thee for holy communion,
A bite of the hot god for ecstatic union?
I eat thee for sustenance courage and thrills,
With or without mustard sauce or frills,
And my rampant appetite thou always appeaseth,
With or without mustard sauce or cheeseeth,
And a seven course dinner I never lack -
A hot dog and the old six pack.
Tho' thy tendency is to leap from the bun,
The butter to melt and the sauce to run,
My mouth is there to catch as catch can,
I bite thee off and man oh man,
When thou art gone I feel satisfied,
I love thee so much I get very tongue tied!
As the Buddhist monk said when he bought one to sing -
"Make me one.....with everything!"

Copyright; Rod Gibson, who ever he is, hope he doesn't mind it here on Roadfood.com

Fpczyz, such a refreshing poem. Thank You!

Scallion1:

A co-worker and I just finished up lunch a few hours ago. Have to tell you, Rutt's Hutt is tough to beat. Two of us killed 8 rippers, 2 cups of chili, and raw onion. (Word to the wise: STAY AWAY FROM THE CREMATORS!!! These things are awfull. I've never seen a hot dog turned into a solid mass before. It's like eating a rice cake with a side of tree bark.)
Service time from order to table was about 20 seconds. Hell, it takes about 2 seconds to create a ripper :)
As far as the decor goes, This ain't no Tavern on the Green but who cares? You want one of the better dogs in NJ and a ice cold mug of beer this is the place to go if in the area.
I give it 4 out of 5.

quote:

Originally posted by Lone Star

Steve Doggie - loved your website! Looks like y'all have a lot of fun. I have not seen a Der Wienershnitzel in years and read your review - "Just thinkin about those hotdogs makes me hu-un-ger-ey" - Remember that song?

The song I remember goes,
"Wienerschnitzel, Wienerschnitzel, this must be the place...
Just drive right in and put a great big hot dog in your face."

quote:

Originally posted by Scallion1

DO YOU YAHOOS ACROSS THE RIVER REALLY LIKE BURST HOTDOGS DRIPPING WITH STALE, VERGING ON RANCID, FRYING OIL?

Which Yahoos and which river? Over which river are "we" or "they" automatically "Yahoos"?

Do new posters tame down and stop calling names after about 20 posts or so?

Scallion 1,
Naw, I'm not about to bury you in an avalanche of relish (dill and/or sweet), mustard, ketchup, and/or melted cheese... nor anything else, for that matter. I am, however, issuing you an invitation next time you travel down to these parts.
I'm not a huge fan of hot dogs per se, but you need to try The Varsity in Atlanta and/or Athens, and Nu-Way Weiners in Macon. I've never been to Nu-Way (only heard years of glorious reports), and have ventured Varsityward only once in many years. Ne'ertheless, I think I can report that apparently all the great hot doggeries in the U. S. are not confined to New Jersey, New England, and the Chicago-Milwaukee-Sheboygan axis.
Furthermore, the sooner The Sterns can be pried out of their cozy Connecticut quarters and caused to venture Georgia-bound, they are indeed in for a treat.
And, as if that was not enough, there's always Skin Thrasher's in Anderson, South Carolina. And Southern foodie John T. Edge's knowledge of every fitten'-to-be-bit-into poolroom dog from Coahoma County, Mississippi to Cerulean, Kentucky and Coinjock, North Carolina, which can be mined on his website (whatever it is).
Enough hot doggerel. If you get down here, let me know. I'll buy you the first Varsity dog if you come through Athens; that might well be invitation enough.
Keep reporting on what you find out there. You aren't apt to get buried.
Hot Diggidy Dog Ziggedly, Ort. Carlton in Chilly, Misty Athens, Georgia.