Posted by Michael Stern on August 25, 2002
New Jersey is well-endowed with restaurants that sell Texas weiners (and that is the way most of them spell wiener!); the first one is known to have been a hot dog stand in the Manhattan Hotel in Paterson, New Jersey, as early as 1920. Paterson still has an abundance of shops that specialize in Texas weiners, (we like Libby’s Lunch on McBride Ave. best); but if you are looking for a terrific example of this Garden State delight in Clifton, we recommend a visit to The Hot Grill.
Step up to the order counter, where empty trays await and order a pair. NOBODY gets just one Texas weiner! The counter man will holler out to the back kitchen, “Two, all the way!” And within ninety seconds, a pair of handsome little hot dogs will appear on the tray in front of you. Each is a deep-fried pup with rugged skin nestled in a too-short bun topped with mustard, onion, and spicy/sweet beef-chili sauce. Exemplary eats! On the side you can get French fries topped with gravy, sauce, or cheese or any combination of the three; and the preferred beverage with a Texas weiner is always root beer.
It’s fun to dine in the Hot Grill’s vast modern dining room where, you are serenaded by the calls of the countermen back to the kitchen.
Overall: Worth planning a day around
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Reviewers "Must Eats" List
Texas hot weiner
($3.00)
"It's a Roadfood given: a giant replica of something to eat on the roof of a restaurant almost always signals good food inside."
Michael Stern
"Note the pork-pie hat: more Hackensack than Houston!"
Michael Stern
"The flavor combination of hot dogs and chili is dazzling, but so are the textures. These deep-fried dogs have a real snap!"
Michael Stern
"The Hot Grill is one of several places in this region to specialize in Texas Weiners -- a New Jersey tradition that goes back decades."
Michael Stern
