Charlie's Hot Dogs - Kenilworth, NJ

Posted By Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle on January 19, 2008 10:27 AM

It's possible to be served an Italian hot dog in the Newark area at a restaurant with more soul, more sass, but few dog houses can compete with the taste of a Charlie's Italian dog. What makes a Charlie's dog special is that each item in the sandwich is a little bit, but noticeably, better than at most other places. The hot dogs themselves are more flavorful, the potatoes are superb and crisp, and the onions and peppers are brighter, too. We recommend getting a double. In fact, we always recommend a double when ordering an Italian hot dog. Not only is it easier to eat (you get a 180 degree section of bread, rather than the awkward 90 degrees), but it just feels right, in the same way that getting a double brat in Wisconsin feels more right than a single.

The place is small, a neighborhood joint really, and most customers take out, though there are tables available for dining in. Note also that Charlie's serves some top notch bottled cream soda and root beer.

Root beer and a double Italian; life in Jersey just doesn't get any better.

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Posted By paul on August 5, 2011 9:57 PM

The food is good but a recent experience with them will prevent me from recommending them or ever stepping foot in this establishment again.

We ordered online, then loaded my two kids for the trip to pick up the food. Once there, the girl takes my credit card, puts the food on the counter, and then said the machine was not working. I left and called my wife, who called the store and asked if we could pay online. Two employees exited the side door and handed me the food as I was in my truck with the kids in seat belts, ready to leave. They said the food would just go in the garbage anyhow.

Tonight I receive a call from (possibly) the owner demanding that I come in and pay for the food that was given to me! I offered to pay the next time I was in and was told that I did not understand; I need to pay, said almost as a threat to me. Needless to say, I won't go back, I won't recommend, and I won't buy lunch for my employees there any longer.

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Italian Hot Dog

Philly Cheesesteak

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Posted By Ray on November 3, 2010 12:00 PM

I grew up on these things, I had to go to the doctors alot when I was a kid, and we would take the Parkway to Newark and when we came back we and we would always get off the Parkway and hit Charlies Italian Hot Dogs, now I am 50 yrs old and I still remember them as My favorite, if you are near Kenilworth NJ, you have to try them.

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Italian Hot Dog

Philly Cheesesteak

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Posted By Robert D. Asaro, Sr. on November 15, 2007 11:12 PM

I heard about how good Charlie’s Italian Hot Dogs in Kenilworth was, so I decided to take a trip. I convinced my son who never experienced an Italian hot dog to take a ride with me from Parsippany. We hit Route 78 construction traffic; he told me this better be worth it! We found it easy enough just off the parkway. It's a typical storefront restaurant showing its age a little but very clean.

I couldn’t convince my son to order an Italian hot dog once he saw cheesesteaks on the menu. I‘m a big fan of cheesesteaks, but I had Italian hot dogs on the brain form the onset. I also had to order a side of potatoes. My son took a bite of his Philly cheesesteak and smiled, and with his mouth still half full said it was worth the trip. After the second bite he said it was the best sandwich he ever had! Then he ate my potatoes. My Italian hot dog tasted like the ones I remembered back when. I tried some others in my area and they didn’t even come close.

Highly recommend; even if you have to take a drive, it’s worth it.

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