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Rutt's Hut

417 River Rd., Clifton, NJ - (973) 779-8615
The magnificent hot dog served by Rutt's Hut is known as a ripper because its skin tears and crinkles when it is deep fried. The oil bath turns the pork-and-beef link rugged, dark, and chewy on the outside, while the interior remains soft and juicy. With mustard or spicy-sweet relish, this is one of America's great hot dogs.
86% Approval Rating (116 votes)

Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Hot Dog
Onion Rings
Ripper
chili
Cremator
Cheese Dog
hot dog with relish

Highlighted Reviews

rating
Michael Stern - Photos (4)
Roadfood.com Editor
"Fans of Rutt’s know the magnificent hot dogs served here as rippers because their skin tears and crinkles when they are deep fried. The oil bath turns the pork-and-beef links rugged, dark, and chewy on the outside, while the interior remains soft and juicy. Weenie ..."   [Read More]
rating
Brian Sniatkowski
August 17, 2010
"Rutt's Hut makes the finest hot dog in NJ. The nicotine-stained, never-left-the-50's seediness is part of the charm of this place. Some of the negative reviews complain about the quality of the dog, which in fact is a high quality Thumann's dog made specially for ..."   [Read More]
rating
Warren Corson
May 01, 2010
"Made my yearly pilgrimage to Rutt's this past weekend from Virginia. My father, a north Jersey native, introduced me to Rutt's as a little kid and I've been going back ever since. After reading some of the recent poor reviews of Rutt's, I was very happy to see that ..."   [Read More]
rating
Robert Jones
February 23, 2010
"I have been going to Rutt's for 65 years. Back at the beginning it was a passion pit and if a father found out you took his daughter there, he might likely take out the white shotgun. My mom sent me with my sister and her boyfriend and, being ten, I had no idea why ..."   [Read More]
rating
Reggie Beard
July 30, 2009
"I was very excited to dine at the Rutt's Hut famous deep-fried hot dog restaurant. I had read some outstanding reviews on MSN and I saw on the Travel Network that they are one of America's best deep-fried restaurants. On a recent Sunday in July I took my friend to ..."   [Read More]

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Map & Web Site

417 River Rd., Clifton, NJ
(973) 779-8615

Hours & Policies

Seasons:Open Year Round
Meals Served:Breakfast, Lunch
Operational Hours:Always Call Ahead!
Credit Cards Accepted:No
Alcohol Served:Yes
Outdoor Seating:No
Reservations Accepted:No
Delivery Available:No
Takeout Counters:Yes
Left: a well-cooked ripper, unadorned. Right: a regular ripper, topped with Rutt's relish.
"Left: a well-cooked ripper, unadorned. Right: a regular ripper, topped with Rutt's relish."
Michael Stern





With a sprinkle of salt, Rutt's onion rings are fine if not particularly oniony-tasting.
"With a sprinkle of salt, Rutt's onion rings are fine if not particularly oniony-tasting."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle


The cremators aren't actually black, but they are crunchy and hard-crusted, with a taste a little bit like overcooked bacon.
"The cremators aren't actually black, but they are crunchy and hard-crusted, with a taste a little bit like overcooked bacon."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle


The dog with a bite out of it.
"The dog with a bite out of it."
Stephanie Volpe


Plain ole fries.
"Plain ole fries."
Stephanie Volpe


A view of the counters in the middle of Rutt's stand-up dining room. Next door in the tap room you can sit and eat, but for the Rutt's connoisseur, this is the only place to be.
"A view of the counters in the middle of Rutt's stand-up dining room. Next door in the tap room you can sit and eat, but for the Rutt's connoisseur, this is the only place to be."
Michael Stern


With a separate entrance around the corner from the stand-up hot dog side of Rutt's, this tap room has a vintage roadhouse ambience all its own.
"With a separate entrance around the corner from the stand-up hot dog side of Rutt's, this tap room has a vintage roadhouse ambience all its own."
Michael Stern


Outside Rutt's, you will meet some of the fattest pigeons and most well-fed gulls anywhere.  They cruise the parking lot looking for scraps.
"Outside Rutt's, you will meet some of the fattest pigeons and most well-fed gulls anywhere. They cruise the parking lot looking for scraps."
Michael Stern



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