Rutt's Hut - Clifton, NJ

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 (98 votes)

Overall: Worth planning a day around

Must Eats

Ripper ($2.00)

Cremator ($2.00)

hot dog with relish ($3.00)

Onion Rings (N/A)

chili ($4.00)

Written Reviews

Michael Stern

"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].

Rbeard

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].

LorenzoClarence

June 12, 2009

"DO NOT GO HERE! Please trust me on this. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY OTHER REVIEWS. You will read countless reviews online that say how great the place is. Absolutely not true. I am telling you, if you go here, you will regret it. This place is THE most disgusting place ..." [Read More].

ourmiraclekids

April 21, 2009

"This place is HORRIBLE! What a waste of a trip. The hot dog meat quality is absolutely disgusting. They cannot possibly be all-beef dogs. Hot dogs are my favorite food. I have been to the best-of-the-best and, when it comes to visiting places, I always search ..." [Read More].

Logbooks

9/6/2007 - Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle, $3
5/3/2007 - Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle, $8
7/28/2003 - Michael Stern, $6

Map & Directions

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."
Michael Stern

"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."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The dog with a bite out of it."
ourmiraclekids

"Plain ole fries."
ourmiraclekids

"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."
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."
Michael Stern