I arrived in New Brunswick by train, which is to say I trusted the machinery of civilization to…read moredeliver me to lunch. It did. A short walk later, I found myself at Destination Dogs, a place I had seen in photographs that suggested capaciousness. In reality, it is smaller.  This is not a complaint, just an observation.  I remember once hearing something about the contents of small packages. At 12:30 the place was full. Packed with humanity and appetite. I was seated quickly, as if someone had anticipated my hunger in advance. From the bar came the sound of construction crews discussing their midday rituals. Apparently this is where they come on Fridays, to repair themselves while they repair the city. It explained everything. Service was swift and attentive, a minor miracle given the crowd. I began with a Scotch egg, an item that seemed to have wandered in from another story entirely. I ordered it for that reason. I had always imagined my first Scotch egg would be eaten in an English pub under low ceilings and older regrets. Instead, here it was. Perfectly crisp, warm, and generous. The universe does not ask for permission. Then came the main event. The menu is an atlas of hot dogs. Domestic. International. Proteins in tube form arranged like possibilities. There is even an invitation to build your own, which I accepted. I attempted to recreate a favorite from Crif Dogs, a thing called the Spicy Redneck. Bacon wrapped dog. Pickled jalapenos. Coleslaw. Simple in theory. Destination Dogs improved upon it in every way that matters. The bacon crisped with purpose. The jalapenos spoke clearly. The coleslaw behaved. The hot dog itself seemed proud to be there. All of this, plus a 16 ounce beer, cost me about twenty five dollars with tip. A small price for order in a chaotic universe. Five stars. Not because perfection exists, but because this comes close enough to make the argument.

Fun spot with awesome dogs and great vibes!…read more This place is such a cool restaurant/bar that feels like a local staple for sure. The staff is super friendly and know their way around the (very large) menu. Honestly, they have a hot dog or sausage combo for just about everyone. I let the bartender pick for me, and she nailed it. She chose an all-beef dog that was basically a Big Mac in hot dog form. I was skeptical at first, but wow this hit in all the right ways. Awesome presentation, even better flavor. I could've easily eaten three of these. I also tried the onion rings, the bartender warned me they were just "meh," and she wasn't wrong, lol. For round two, I went with an all-beef dog topped with pastrami this is basically a Reuben-style dog. Another win! Great flavor, great presentation. Overall, I'd totally recommend Destination Dogs if you're in the area. Just a heads up, if there's a game on, it gets loud. Like "can't-hear-your-friend-next-to-you" loud. But if that's your vibe, you'll love it.

Hot Rods is a timeless piece of New Jersey Americana on North 31 in Glen Gardner where time stood…read morestill since the 1960s and hot dogs, boiled or deep fried have been menu staples. Get them loaded with homemade chili, or not, or with standard pickle wedge, mustard and chopped onions on a traditional bun, and on the right sunny day, be part of the perfect snack. Grab a bag of fresh crispy fries, sit at their picnic tables and become part of legend. A extra warm day for the end of March, and a perfect day for an up country drive, Hot Rods was the spot chosen as destination. Great choice. Owner at the grill and taking orders, assistant taking care of the deep fryer and putting meals together in bags, wife sitting nearby offering historic commentary on the institution (Giants fan who loves Saquan Barkley even on the Eagles). I ate at one of the picnic tables to take in the sun, breeze and low mountain across the road. I ate a Classic (boiled turkey dog) and Fryer (beef/pork deep oil), both with pickle wedge, chopped onions and yellow mustard). I enjoyed them both, but couldn't tell them apart. The fries were excellent, and I continued eating them long after the dogs were devoured. The joint was humming by the time I left to return south to Bucks County. An hour drive, I rolled down the window to feel the warm breeze on my face. 5 Stars for the 50 years of hot dog authenticity and the grand day they came wrapped in.

I was off of work for the week of the July 4th holiday and decided to try Hot Rod's. I had been…read morecraving a Texas wiener. Hot Rod's does not have a Texas wiener on their menu but they have all the toppings necessary (mustard, raw onion, chili) to make one. The chili though is different from what you'd get on a Texas wiener, as there isn't as much meat. I was able to see most of the raw onion whereas they'd mostly be covered by chili on a traditional Texas wiener. I chose the beef hot dog and washed it down with their unsweetened ice tea. Everything was delicious. The staff were very friendly and explained the difference between the beef hot dog (deep fried) and the turkey hot dog (boiled). There's some seating indoors (about 10 stools along a long counter) and a few picnic tables outside for dining. Pulling out of Hit Rod's can be tricky so it's best to time your departure with the traffic lights nearby.

Cute spot! Friendly staff, lots of parking. They close the grill 30 minutes before closing just…read moreFYI. The cotton candy water ice is so good! I love how they had handles on the ice cream cones to prevent melting all over your hands. The hot dogs were good, lots of variety. The Cole slaw was delicious. Definitely recommend!

Great hotdogs! Loved sitting outside as well! The hit dog…read morewith sauerkraut and mustard was great and the chili dog was great

A Ripper: otherwise known as a "Deep-Fried Hotdog". Three plain and simple words, but when…read morecombined, they are nearly pornographic. At least they are for me. Rutt's Hut has been on my punch list for a long time. Actually NJ fried Hot Dogs have been both from Rutt's and from Hiram's over in Ft. Lee. I got to Hiram's and today was my luck day to get a shot at a Ripper. Rutt's is a bit off the beaten path and is down a meandering pothole filled road in a very industrial feeling part of town surrounded by wooded areas. It seems like it would be a better place for a serial killer body dump than a Hot Dog vendor but it's been there since 1928 so it must be doing something right. There is a large, private, and free parking lot which is a huge bonus in my playbook. The building looks like it is in disrepair. There are 2 areas to eat here. A door to the left seems to be a pub/bar with sit down service and then there is the right side that I went to which is a stand up, indoor counter where you can get in and out very quickly. This is a cash only spot so come prepared. Get to an open counter worker, give them your order, and pay when they hand over the goods. I was a little intimidated when I walked in because it was clear that everyone else in the place understood the ordering routine and knew the menu (there are quite a few other items you could order other than Rippers). I stood in a corner like a potted plant for about 10 minutes and watched what others did when they walked in before I figured out the process. It's pretty simple but I did not want to screw up Rutt's world order by doing something stupid. The 3 Rippers I ordered were good (but not best in class for me). The one I liked the most was the chili cheese dressed Ripper because the chili was actually quite tasty. On the counter are large containers of brown mustard and almost-fluorescent yellow relish. People seem to love the stuff. It was a bit like sweetened sauerkraut for me and the color of it makes me think it is either radioactive or seasoned with antifreeze. I would be happy going here again but I can't say that my Rippers were anything special. I might ask for them to be a little overdone next time to add a bit of texture. What I did like about Rutt's was the history, the dilapidated building, the simplicity of the menu, the naming of their dogs as "Rippers", and the fact that it felt like I was eating among real NJ natives that knew exactly what they were there for. Experiencing local culture doesn't get much better than that.

Best in the world…read more Best in the world Spectacular hot dogs and a vibe that hasn't changed in 4,000 years.

Happy to see this location serving Hot Dogs again. We had a couple a dogs fries and a soda all…read moregood and fresh. They are expecting to expand menu and maybe even ice cream for the summer. Friendly clean and fast.

The best food! Great prices too .. we just love everything they have to offer .. our entire family…read morefinds something to enjoy every time we visit ..support local!

Great spot and what you would expect from tasty deep fried hotdogs and milkshakes. Great outdoor…read moreseating. Would have been 5 star but the window staff were very transactional versus pleasant. But that is their job, transactions.

Hot Dog Johnny's is the kind of roadside stop you root for…read more We came across Hot Dog Johnny's on a Sunday afternoon while heading home from a weekend away, and the sign caught our attention right away. Open for 80 years and owned by the same family, that alone was enough to pull us in. Classic roadside diner feel, big hot dog sign, and a simple, no-nonsense menu: a handful of hot dog options, fries, pickles, a house root beer, and milkshakes. We ordered to go so we could get back on the road. Three hot dogs and two orders of fries, which honestly was more than enough fries for all three of us. The hot dog was solid and satisfying, exactly what you want on a road stop, and the real win here was the value. Our entire order came out to a little over $17, which feels almost unheard of these days. This is a true mom-and-pop spot doing things the way they always have, keeping prices fair and doors open for the community. We were glad we stopped and happy to support a place like this. If you appreciate old-school diners, simple food, and great value, Hot Dog Johnny's is worth pulling over for.

I just saw that their last day (at least at this location) will be March 25, 2023. It is truly a…read moresad moment and sad news Cheese Dawgs is (soon, at least temporarily, it will be "was") a great place to grab a hot dog in Feasterville, Pennsylvania. They had a great selection of hot dogs and the staff was always incredibly friendly. I hope that they can reopen in another location. We need these old-school hot dog joints. Without them, this world would be a sadder place.

Eh. Was really looking forward to a hot dog joint other than Five Guys in the area. Most of the…read moredogs were good. Could have used more of a good hard fry in my opinion. The onions weren't really sautéed as much as I like either. The beans and mac were unfortunately some of the most flavorless sides I've had in a long time. The beans almost had a sour taste. If you are used to Bush's Baked Beans these aren't it for you. Tenders were ok and thank goodness the tots were right. Other than that I'll probably continue my search for a good local hot dog joint.

A local staple for decades. Simple but the best hotdogs. Service is always great. So glad they were…read moreable to keep this local landmark going

Perfect for a quick bit, wish there was seating. For the price you can't beat it - the staff were…read morefriendly and welcoming. Delicious hot dogs!

Anything you order must be done ALL THE WAY!! Trust me, the flavors don't come together unless you…read moreget the chili, mustard, onion combo added. The burger was lackluster, but the hot dog was the best hot dogs I've ever had and remains one of the foods I miss from this area. It was my first time back here in 10 years, and I was glad that this place remains just as good as I remember it.

Hot Grill 669 Lexington Ave…read more Clifton, NJ 07011 Homemade Minestrone Combo Special Hot Dog All The Way Appearance: 8.9/10 Taste: 9.1/10 Located at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Thimble Avenue is a locally owned hot dog restaurant. Here are a few of the menu items I explored. Homemade Minestrone: Freshly made in house, this starter will definitely kick start the meal. Enjoy a vegetable medley ranging from beans to celery to potato along with small bits of pasta in a savory broth. For that added crunch, don't be shy with the oyster crackers. It will definitely complement the flavor. Combo Special: A minute disadvantage is that this combo doesn't include a side, but it has a variety of toppings including hickory ham and melted cheese on a hard roll. The burger patty is made from prime beef. Hot Dog All The Way: This deep fried dog is piled with chili, chopped onions, and a touch of mustard. As a bonus, all of those toppings were added for no additional charge. If you aren't in the mood for lunch, arrive in the early morning hours to explore the breakfast options. There are plenty of seating options which also includes a few outdoor tables. Overall, the food was decent and the service was impeccable. #hotgrill #hotgrillclifton #cliftonnj #hotdogalltheway #allthewayhotdog #ComboSpecials #minestronesoup #LexingtonAvenue

Boulevard Dogs N More 206 Boulevard…read moreHasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 Thumann's Deep Fried Hot Dog Bacon Mac & Cheese Hot Dog Homemade Pulled Pork Hot Dog Corn Dog Double Handcrafted Smash Burger As soon as I set foot (no pun intended) in this hot dog restaurant, I was warmly welcomed by Angelo and Danielle. I already knew was about to be in for a treat! And the iconic hot dogs were out of this world! Each of their toppings are freshly made in-house. You can choose Sabrett or Thumann's and it's your call if you want them prepared in dirty water, grilled, or deep fried. Regardless of which ever dog you choose, you won't be disappointed! Aside from a cool old fashioned all-American glizzy, I also doubled my desire with a double smash burger. The freshly made sirloin patty melted right in my mouth! Between excellent food with really friendly service, I felt right at home. Angelo and Danielle definitely hit one right out of the ball park (again, no pun intended)! #hasbrouckheights #boulevardogsnmore #hotdog #thumanns #sabrett #deepfriedhotdog #baconmacandcheese #pulledporkhotdog #corndog #smashburger #doublesmashburg

Came here in the recommendation of a hot dog junkie to give these guys a try. We came at lunchtime…read more(a bit of a drive for us) and parked behind the building. I could see how parking might be tough during a busy lunchtime, but we lucked out. I ordered a BLVD Ripper (foot long Windmill Dog) with chili, cheese and kraut and one of the Thumann's deep fried with kraut chili and mustard. Also shared some tots with my lunchmates. The shop itself is nice and set up for both sit-down and take out. Guy behind the counter, who I assumed was the owner, was super friendly and seemed pretty enthusiastic about his place. My take...I thought the dogs were done perfectly and the chili and kraut were delicious. I would have preferred a little more cheese on the ripper as the flavor got buried. The hot dog buns were just ok...they didn't hold up to contain the toppings, which was a little disappointing. Tots were great. My two lunchmates gave a mixed review...one loved his two dogs and the other liked the dogs, but was just so-so in the toppings and the buns. You can't please everyone I guess. Overall I had a great lunch, but it's pretty far out of our way to become a regular lunch spot for us. That said, if in the area, I would definitely stop in again!