New Jersey Hot Dogs

John Fox


Dog Boss,

You crack me up. The cook gave you the death look! I know who you are talking about. And he does have a lousy attitude. His nickname around Linden is the Son of Satan. I will say that the last 2 times he has been civil to me. Don't know if he's somehow changed or if it was because the owner, who has a reputation as a bit of a tyrant, was standing there. As for the dogs, most of the time they've been fine, but a few times I've gotten an old dog that wasn't hot enough.

Regarding the Rahway Grill, I've probably been there less than 10 times but always enjoyed the dogs. They close early and I'm usually working, so I don't get a chance to go often. I'm glad we included it on the Tour and I'm delighted at the positive response. But I can believe that there may have been old dogs on the grill. I say this because a friend of mine told me on Saturday that he went last week and got a dog that was old, lacked taste, and was cold. It was served by someone other than Fran or Ted.

It's too bad that every now and then you may have a bad experience. I am off Thursday and have to be in Rahway. I will probably make a stop at the Rahway Grill and if I do I'll tell Ted about what is posted here. I'm sure he would like to know. Hopefully my friend's experience and Dog Boss's are aberrations.

 
All i'm going to say is  THAT WHEN THEY SERVE ME CRAP i'm not a happy guy!!!!! when its good it's good, and when its bad it's BAD !!!!!!!!!! I don't candy coat things and i don't make up things that are bad to make them look worst then they where......................... i REALLY TRY TO BE AS HONEST AS I CAN !!!!!!!
 
I was the first to tell mrs fran, how well they did with the TOUR, so, i must love the old dogs on the grill. if fran was in my sites, i would've been more then happy to step in and speak my mind about the window dressing's.

Just don't give her the death look!

I had to make a trip to Rahway so I stopped at the Rahway Grill to grab a quick dog. There was a woman (not Fran) behind the counter. There were 6 dogs on the grill and they did look old and wrinkly. I was in a hurry so I didn't ask for a fresh one. Besides, I wanted to see how one tasted that looked wrinkly.

As I was leaving Ted emerged from the back. I said hello and asked how he was doing. I was on my way out and kind of in a hurry, but I did ask Ted if he has a computer. He does, and he told me he reads the comments we have posted. I didn't mention anything further. I ate my dog in the car and it was definitely hot enough and as good as it ever was. I think it just has a wrinkly appearance after spending some time on the griddle. It's been awhile since I've bought a 5 lb bag from Restaurant Depot, but I vaguely remember these dogs having a wrinkly appearance. But my dog was fine.

Father & Son, the Rahway Grill, Papaya King, Gray's, Katz's, and Nathan's all leave their dogs on the griddle at approximately 165 degrees. And with very few exceptions the dogs have tasted ok. But the dogs at the Rahway Grill did not look good.

Boulevard Drinks in Jersey City also prepares their great tasting Sabrett hotdogs on a griddle or flat grill, I prefer the well done dogs,with a little grill mark on the dogs. Their always fresh and hot and that is due to the high volume of business this NJ landmark still maintains. Still one of my favorites.

Hello all ,

Great thread as always !!
What I love about reading these adventures on here is how honest everyone is . That is a pleasure .

Benzee

I love Boulevard Drinks as well. It's been awhile since I've been there. I'm due to go back. The only thing I don't like about it is the parking. It's near impossible to get a spot. There is a parking garage nearby.

I usually go to Papaya King in Clifton if I want a grilled Sabrett. When I went with the S.W.A.T. Team in 06, the Clifton Papaya King wasn't open yet. We did make one trip to New York where we had grilled Sabrett's at Papaya King and Gray's Papaya. The panel was unanimous in rating the dogs at Boulevard Drinks higher than the other places. As Big G stated, they're always fresh and hot. I never had a bun fall apart there like I did at Papaya King in Manhattan.

Out of the 87 places we visited which included well over 100 different hot dogs, Boulevard Drinks was at the top of the list, behind only Syd's for favorite overall dog.

Papya King in Clifton is very good, their Happy Hour special for .99 cent hotdogs is tough to beat,especially when they are going up against Rutts Hutt & The Hot Grill.
Syd's long gone now,but you can still get that great Best's provision hotdog at Tommy's Italian hotdogs and Jerry's frankfurters in Elizabeth,both on the same block, as well as Frankly Burgers and More in Freehold. They will prepare your Best's footlong either on a griddle or chargrill.

Big G,

Jerry's and Tommy's both serve Best's natural casing dogs, but in a smaller size. The Best's 5 to a lb natural casing (Syd's dog) can be found at Jimmy Buff's (East Hanover), Bubba's (Lyndhurst), Frankly Burgers & More (Freehold), The Martini Bar (Millburn), and Seymour's (Livingston). And will soon be served at The Garage in Millburn. The Garage is owned by the same people who own the Martini Bar. They will also be serving the Don's (4 to a lb) dog. They will be boiled, then grilled like Syd's.

Thanks John, I forgot about Bubba's, will be glad when they reopen. Will have to try Seymour's and the Garage. Still remember that large pot of water at Syd's, cooking the dogs in hot/boiling water,then finishing them on the grill. Still can't figure out how more places don't carry Best's, one of the best dogs jersey has to offer.  

I grew up in union cnty NJ  and boy oh boy do I miss being close to so many choices and such great food. NYC only 45 minutes away.
 
There's nothing even close here in charlotte county Fla.