Randy the Hot Dog Guy, Hillside

     Though it is a bit challenging to navigate your way through this heavy traffic area into the ample parking lot, the journey is worth the opportunity to meet the character for whom the establishment is named.  Randy is an entertaining fellow with a great sense of humor and very few inhibitions!  Aside from the main building which you see above, he and his wife have a large collection of hot dog carts, trailers and trucks (see below).

     During the 14th Annual Hot Dog Tour Randy was serving from a large cart where he offered (3) choices of dogs (all from NJ): a Thumann's 8:1 NC all beef dog, a Best 8:1 all beef skinless and the Best "Don's Dog" which is a 4:1 NC that actually fits on a standard bun.  All of these were served "dirty water" style on a Martin's potato roll.  His ample toppings included: sweet chili, kraut, cole slaw, cooked onions, hot or sweet peppers, cheese, relish and 3 types of mustard.

     I opted for a "Don's Dog" with brown mustard and a bit of kraut.  The dog had a very satisfying blend of spices, a great choice if you're serving "dirty water" style.  This fat quarter pound dog filled the bun but didn't extend out of the sides.  The brown mustard was a great compliment to the spice of this dog and the kraut was thankfully not bathing in liquid, so the potato roll was able to support the contents admirably.  I enjoyed the experience and would stop again if I were in the area.

Jersey Johnny's Grill, Pequannock Twp.

     Some say that judging a hot dog establishment by their mobile counterparts is unfair.  Personally, I think that any worthy hot dog vendor would put as much care into their truck or trailer as they do in their storefront since their reputation is on the line in either venue.  That said, I am providing feedback for Jersey Johnny's Grill based on a recent sampling of their fare at a promotional event held in Flemington, NJ.

     My order was for one "all the way", which was quickly understood to mean deli mustard, chopped onions and chili.  I thought that was a good sign!  They serve N/C Thumann's beef franks for which I was also thankful.  Although the overall experience was definitely positive, I felt that the chili was a bit thin for my taste.  And speaking of taste, I detected the familiar spice profile in the chili that common in North Jersey, possessing the distinct flavors of cinnamon, cardamom and cumin!

     I will add that their fries were also very good!  Crispy, golden brown outside, steamy soft centers and just the right amount of salt.  Kudos!!  BTW, if you're trying to find out more info about Jersey Johnny's, do NOT follow the website address (or phone number) you see on the side of the trailer pictured above.  They are both several years old (as is the trailer!)

Ginny's, Frenchtown

     Strictly speaking, Ginny's is not a hot dog joint.  When I moved to this area in 2007, Ginny's was more of an ice cream parlor that was expanding their menu.  Since that time, they have undergone a substantial remodel of both the building and menu (very diner-like).  They have increased their clientele further by hosting a car show every Sunday from 4-8pm.

     At first glance I thought their prices for hot dogs (below) were rather high.  Though my opinion has not entirely changed, I will say that you do get a substantial meal for your money.  I ordered the Chicago dog (one of my favorites!) and I was not disappointed.  It was a 4/1 skinless beef frank that extended prominently from both sides of a stout bun.  The condiment selection held very close to the traditional chicago dog (the the exception of banana pepper rings rather than whole sport peppers).  It was a very enjoyable meal for which I will give ample praise, but probably decline a repeat with a price tag of nearly $10.

Olde Heidelberg, Keansburg

     This was my first visit to the Keansburg boardwalk landmark since it was reopened after superstorm Sandy.  The establishment has been in business since 1934 and has seen the boardwalk transform many times.  The above picture faces the street and invites patrons in with the promise of cold beer, good times and, of course, hot dogs!  The opposite side of the building (facing the boardwalk) has a convenient walk-up window where passersby can order delicious dogs with their favorite toppings.

     They serve all beef, natural casing dogs with a variety of condiments.  I opted to order one "all the way" (with brown mustard, chopped onions and chili) and another with mustard & kraut.  They had a nice snap to them and were very tasty!  The chili had a nice, thick texture that complimented the dog.  Unlike the soggy kraut you find at many hot dog wagons, this kraut was crisp and flavorful.  The buns were sturdy, not the limp sort that gets soggy & falls apart under the pressure of heaping condiments.  Overall I can say that this restaurant has retained its original glory and will certainly be on my list of repeat destinations.

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile

     I learned of the scheduled appearance of the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in the (not so) nearby town of Sparta,NJ.  As I was planning a trip to visit my son in Albany on the same day, and the standard route would bring me within 20 minutes of the attraction, I couldn't say "No"!!  I decided not to have my usual pre-trip meal as I was excited to sample an Oscar Mayer wiener direct from the Wienermobile itself!

     I actually arrived at the venue right behind the star vessel and followed it into the parking lot.  Excited as a little kid, I was first in line to see the wondrous interior and learn more about its history.  I have to say that the biggest disappointment was that THEY DO NOT SERVE HOT DOGS!!!

     Not one to let a bump-in-the-road get me down, I happily donned the available "wienerwear" and posed for a portrait in front of this American icon.  As an added bonus, I did receive an official wiener whistle keychain as a momento!  Now I need to go and find someplace to satisfy my craving!!!

Davy's Dogs, Mt. Arlington

I had heard positive reports regarding Davy's so while I was in nearby Budd Lake, I decided to invest in the 8 minute detour to try it out.  My first impression was mild frustration with the young counter staff, but I was quickly swayed when I sat to enjoy my meal.  Aside from the usual cast of toppings, they have a few specialty dogs which my adventurous nature could not resist.

My first choice wasn't too outlandish, just a bacon & cheese dog.  Though I personally prefer sliced cheese this cheese sauce was nice and thick and flavorful.  The mound of bacon was surprising and was cooked perfectly.  The dog itself was an 8 inch beef frank and was grilled just to the point of splitting.  The bun was pretty ordinary but held up well under all the toppings.

The 2nd dog was a bit further out there: a perogi dog!  Same bun, frank & cheese sauce but this time topped with 2 fried perogies that were also cooked just right.  My wife opted to simply have an order of perogies and can attest to the quality.  The combination was surprisingly tasty, and a wide selection of bottled beers was a welcome accompaniment.  All in all I would recommend the trip.

 

Jerry's Famous Frankfurters, Elizabeth

   Jerry's has been a staple in the community of Elizabeth for over 68 years.  Its proximity to Tommy's (a mere 225 feet) has not affected their loyal followers.  They have a wide variety of toppings but the chili and onions is a popular combination.  The signature chili has a nice consistency and a unique blend of spices that compliment the dogs nicely.  My palate was detecting cinnamon and perhaps a touch of nutmeg.  The icing on the cake were the fast service and great price!  Jerry's is a definite value for some tasty dogs!!

Tommy's Italian Sausage, Elizabeth

   While growing up in Staten Island, NY in the 60's & 70's, I was not exposed to the wonders of an Italian hot dog.  My first experience was shared with my girlfriend (eventually "wife of 30 years"!) at this establishment that Hot Dog Heaven has called: "NJ's Best Italian Hot Dog".  I'm talking about Tommy's Italian Sausage in Elizabeth, NJ.  They stuff a half pita bread with either 1, 2 or 3 hot dogs (I recommend the "Double").  Sauted peppers & onions are added to the pita along with an incredible heaping mound of crispy fried potatoes, sliced 1/8" thick, and topped with ketchup.

   The challenge of this dog is figuring out how to get to the meat under all those potatoes!!  I have always used the small wooden fork (provided) to eat & enjoy about 2/3rds of the potato slices before I had a manageable sandwich to lift to my mouth.  It seems like the only civilized way to eat this behemoth without ending up in a ketchupy mess!!  I have had italian hot dogs at other stands who prefer to use potato wedges or, in some cases, fries.  I greatly prefer these potato slices and have to agree that Tommy's prepares one of the best Italians in NJ.

Designer Dawgs, Clinton

   I stopped by Designer Dawgs on the first day of their 2017 season.  It was my first visit, but I am sure it will not be my last!  This was truly an exceptional departure from the basic, run-of-the-mill hot dog stand.  The owner, Holly Jeanne, was very friendly and took the time to chat and share her vision.  I was clearly in the presence of a vendor who recognizes quality ingredients and passes that quality along to their customers.

  These grilled dogs are made by Vienna Beef, are my new favorite brand!  The rolls (not buns!) are freshly baked & delivered each morning.  They are just the right size and can stand up to any combination of toppings, without causing the dog to be "lost".  They do not offer fries, which can often be the ruin of an otherwise appreciable dog stand.  What they do offer as side dishes actually compliment a hot dog lunch nicely: homemade mac & cheese, chili w/ cheese and baked beans.

   For my first meal here I ordered the German dawg which consists of sauerkraut and brown mustard as toppings.  It was a delicious rendition of an age old favorite that took me back to my New York roots.  For my second choice I selected the Reuben dawg topped with swiss cheese, kraut and russian dressing.  This being my "bold" choice I was very pleasantly surprised at how well these ingredients blended together.  I enjoyed every bite and was sad to see it go!  Being only 3 miles from work I can definitely see this place becoming a frequent lunch stop.  Very happy to have found it!!

****  NEWS FLASH ****
    Designer Dawgs has moved to a new home right on Main Street in Downtown Clinton!!  They have their own storefront (new photo above) and a great patio out back to enjoy your dawgs when the weather cooperates!!  Come check out their new digs!  The location is new but the dawgs are as good as ever!!!

Callahan's, Norwood

Callahan's is famous for their hod dog trucks that travel across much of northeast New Jersey as well as for their restaurant on Broad St. in Norwood.  Normally the the menu is a bit more limited than the restaurant but my sampling was taken at the Jerseyfest Food Truck Mash-Up held at the Meadowlands Racetrack on June 4th, 2016.  It was a stormy evening but that didn't deter the throngs of hungry guests from swarming Callahan's truck, as every hot dog option was available.

I ordered the Super Dog which provides over a foot of their pork/beef blend.  It was nicely grilled (not "killed"!!) and dressed with their homemade chili.  The chili had a good thick texture though it didn't have any distinctive spiciness or tanginess (it was a bit "ho hum").  My second dog was topped with sauerkraut and bacon pieces which provided a nice smoky flavor.  The bun had a hard time holding the massive dog and toppings, but let's face it, the dawg is the star of the show!  My guess is that their regular dog, which is still a long 9 inches, would have been handled much better.  That's what I get for being greedy!

Outpost Barbeque, Bridgewater

I was traveling through Bridgewater and immediately had a craving for barbeque when I saw this place. Then when I sat down and looked at the menu, I was very pleased to see an interesting menu of 9 hot dogs in addition to many other BBQ favorites. All of their hot dogs are grilled and come with a variety of toppings, including: sauerkraut, chopped onion, mac & cheese, chili, jalepenos, cheddar cheese and Cajun kraut, as well as the options that I had selected.

I chose an Atlantic Dog with bacon smoked baked beans and tangy BBQ sauce, and an Alabama Dog with smoked pulled pork and horseradish sauce. The dogs are grilled crisp and taste great by themselves!  The mix of flavors was like nothing I've tasted before, but in a good way.  The choices available can certainly be tailored to anyone's taste, but also provides a wide variety for the adventurous diner to sample new choices.  The dogs are 8 inches long and provide an opportunity to test the naked dog at each end.  My only disappointment was the roll... although it was fresh and tasty, I think a slightly more sturdy roll would have made this stop awesome.  It took me almost 1/2 hour to finish my meal and the roll was getting pretty weak by the end.

Outpost BBQ also offers a catering menu.  For large events they even have a portable barbeque/smoker that can handle a serious crowd (see below).  The prices are just a little bit high, but for the unique combination of toppings I would still recommend giving this restaurant a try.  The flavors are well worth it!