National Hot Dog Day is July 17. Here’s where to get a tasty frank in New Jersey on Wednesday, or all summer long.
Andy’s Roadside Dive
324 Howard Blvd., Mt. Arlington
The crazy creations here include Schnitz & Giggles (honey mustard, onions, pretzel chips, sauerkraut, spicy mustard and beef jerky), Wing Thing (buffalo sour cream, bleu cheese crumbles, diced celery and bacon), Murph Diver (Yuengling kraut, Thousand Island dressing, sliced Swiss and caraway seeds) and When Pigs Fly (buffalo sour cream, pulled pork, bacon bits, bleu cheese crumbles and wing sauce).
Curbside Cafe
100 Rte. 46, Parsippany
The chili dogs are the highlight here, in addition to their Italian hot dogs. Every day, you can get a hot dog free if you pay for five.
Dave’s Hot Dogs
323 S. Pine Ave., South Amboy
The Sabrett dogs are grilled, dirty water or deep fried. Or opt for a grilled jumbo Boardwalk-style dog if you’re super hungry. Stop by for special deals and discounts throughout the day on July 17.
Destination Dogs
101 Paterson St., New Brunswick
With more than a dozen state- and country-themed weenies, there’s something for everyone at this hot dog haven. Get a taste of NYC with the classic Cyclone (beef dog, chili, onions, spicy brown mustard) or Boston with the Red Hots (beef dog, baked beans, cole slaw. Feeling adventurous? Try Canada’s Le Poutine (duck sausage, fried potatoes, gravy, cheese), One Bite in Bangkok (python sausage, cucumber salad, pepper jelly, peanuts, cilantro) or Australia’s Underdog (kangaroo sausage, frizzled onions, vegemite aioli).
The Dover Grill
240 Rte. 46, Dover
Stock up on napkins for the All the Way combos and chili cheese variations, or try something different like a Reuben (Thousand island, sauerkraut, swiss), Soprano (ketchup, onions, garlic powder, parmesan), or Chicago (mustard, pickles, tomatoes, relish, onions, celery salt). The go-to for the kids? The fried corn dog. Other signature items include Italian dogs and sausages, cheesesteaks, and fries with everything from cheddar and chili to hot red onion sauce.
Goffle Grill
1140 Goffle Rd., Hawthorne
People flock here for their Texas-style weiners (say yes to all the way sauce), famous milkshakes and signature potato rounds. The standard is a fried frank with homemade chili, mustard and onions. Pair that with golden tot rounds and a hand-packed shake. Other signature dishes include the Frank & Beans (deep fried dogs served with a whole pound of baked beans), the home-cooked turkey sandwich and the sang-weech (grilled or crispy chicken with broccoli rabe and house mutz on bread).
Hank’s Franks
210 Rte. 46 E., Lodi
There’s no fuss about these weenies. Get ‘em plain, with sauerkraut, relish, cheese or homemade red onions, or drenched in hot Italian onions or chili. Going with the whole fam? You can buy eight dogs and get one on the house. Oh, and the perfect thing to wash it all down? An old-school orangeade or birch beer should do the trick, not to mention a chocolate or vanilla egg cream. On National Hot Dog Day Eve (July 16), Steve Trevelise from NJ 101. 5 will be broadcasting live.
Hiram’s Roadstand
1345 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee
Half this spot is an old-school service counter, while the other half is a bar. The pork and beef blend is enhanced with German spices, then fried in a special mix of oils that makes them extra puffy. Make sure to scoop the sweet-and-sour slaw onto your dog. Hiram’s Glizzy Fest on July 17 will celebrate the frankfurter – bring cash.
Hot Dog Tommy’s
319 Beach Ave. Rear, Cape May
After the original owners stepped down in 2016, the signature HotDog hat was passed down to Bruce, the present-day HotDog Tommy. Dog options include the Leaner Weiner (pork and beef, steamed bun), Bigger Bad Dog (black angus all-beef, deli bun) or the Vegan Dog (you can even get a gluten-free bun!) Choose from nearly 30 signature dogs including the Thunder Dog (mashed potatoes, baked beans, mustard, onions, cheddar), the Zippy Chippy Zorro Dog (tangy red pickled pepper relish, onions, potato chips) and the Black Russian Dog (black pepper rub, russian dressing, pickle). Add special toppings like cranberry coleslaw, banana peppers, crumbled bleu cheese and salsa for just a few cents more.
The Hot Grill
669 Lexington Ave., Clifton
These franks are a deep-fried beef and pork blend, and experts would tell you to get the works: mustard, chopped onion and famous chili sauce. Other simple options include the roast beef platter, BLTs and tuna salad on a soft roll.
J&J’s Hot Dogs
572 Rte. 46 E., Fairfield
230 Bloomfield Ave., Newark
With a food truck in Newark and a brick-and-mortar store in Fairfield, it’s the easiest it’s ever been to get your fix. These franks can get gussied up in many outfits, like Hot Works (kraut and hot onion), Hook-Up (mayo, slaw, hot chili and ketchup), and Belly Buster (kraut, hot onion, cheese, hot chili). Special topping combos on these pups include cheese and pepperoni, cream cheese and bacon, sweet peppers and potatoes and french fried onions.
Jerry’s Famous Frankfurters
906 2nd Ave., Elizabeth
These weenies are boiled first, then grilled. Three doors down from Tommy’s, bring your appetite and try both without having to travel far. The mustard and kraut combo is a no-brainer, but the red onion sauce is also not to be missed.
Jersey Dog
77 Water St., Newton
From basics (house Dirty Jersey relish and mustard, anyone?) to extravagant (bechamel cheese sauce, cubanelle peppers and tzatziki), these pups get doused in just about every topping imaginable. Hop the guac train with the Volcano Dog (avocado spread, mustard, raw onions, jalapenos), taste the boardwalk with the Coney (chili and onions), reinvent your bagel shop fave with the Jersey Dog (taylor ham-wrapped dog, American cheese, crumbled hash browns and, of course, saltpepperketchup) or ditch the bun for a tortilla with the Burrito Dog. Fun fried sides include zucchini sticks, mushrooms, clam strips and pickle chips.
Jimmy Buff’s
506 Kenilworth Blvd., Kenilworth
Jimmy Buff’s is known for creating the Italian hotdog, made by founder James “Bluff” Racioppi in 1932 in Newark. It has fresh onions, peppers and potatoes filling up the hot dog bun. You can order a traditional dog or choose sausage. Or, go for a double, which is two dogs on half a pizza roll.
Maui’s Dog House
8th and New Jersey Aves., North Wildwood
Dogs here are a mashup of beef, pork and veal. With 29 toppings to choose from (everything from house Horsey mustard to Wisconsin Cheddar to white wine sauteed spinach), there’s something for everyone at Maui’s. First-timers should try the Forget-About-It dog with mustard, onions, chili, cheese and crispy bacon, not to mention the famed house-made macaroni salad with secret Maui spices and tuna.
Nathan’s Famous
Multiple Locations
Coney Island’s famous hot dogs must be paired with crinkle cut fries on the side. You can get up to two hot dogs for 5 cents each on July 17.
Philly Pretzel Factory
Multiple Locations
Philly Pretzel Factory is offering pretzel dogs for $1.
Rutt’s Hut
417 River Rd., Clifton
These franks are deep-fried until the casings crack and split, resulting in the legendary nickname Rippers. Rutt’s has been featured on the Travel Channel, Food Network and PBS, plus was listed in 1000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die. Don’t pass on the famous relish here, made with a special combo of mustard and spices.
Sonic Drive In
Multiple Locations
Classics here include the Chili Cheese Coney, All-American Dog, Footlong Quarter Pound Coney and good ol’ fashioned corn dog.
Tony’s Specialized Hot Dogs
Corner of Park Avenue and Lake Street, Newark
Classic toppings like relish, kraut and mustard can be upgraded with spicy or sweet chili, bacon bits, potato sticks, hot or sweet onions and more.
UGLY Donuts & Corn Dogs
American Dream, East Rutherford
The Korean street food brand has different flavored corn dogs, the “hottest” of which is covered with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
WindMill Hot Dogs
Multiple Locations
These gems are nearly a foot long, and have been a Jersey Shore staple since the ‘60s. Pair your classic chili cheese with a side of breaded mushrooms with secret-recipe horseradish sauce, add pork roll to your burger in proper Jersey fashion or scarf down an order of crinkle-cut fries smothered in WindMill’s famous cheese sauce.
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