In search of NJ dogs, close to T-Pike

[dscott]

I'll be travelling through Jersey on the T-Pike this Saturday with my two hounds, who make stopping for a "real" meal rather difficult. However, they give me a good excuse to stop and eat grub.

What are some good joints for hot dogs (or other grub) near the Pike? Holly's list on hollyeats is great but I don't know where these towns are. When I mapquest them, seems like most aren't close to the Pike.

Doesn't have to be hot dogs. Burgers, grinders, etc. will do just fine also.

[Curlz]

Rutt's Hutt in Clifton is certainly close enough to the NJTpk to warrant a stop...those are supposed to be some SERIOUS hot dogs!! According to John (aka John the hot dog guy), they are "Probably the most well known hot dog place in Jersey. Great tasting deep fried dogs with their unique and tasty relish."

There's a whole thread about Rutt's Hut HERE.

I've never been , but the place is legendary in northern NJ!

[rlibkind]

In Elizabeth, Jerry's and Tommy's are just five minutes off the Turnpike.

Syd's in Union or Charlie's in Kenilworth are about a 10-12 minute detour from the Pike (Charlie's is less than two minutes from Garden State Parkway, and Syd's is just a few minutes from I-78).

[ghostrider]

Rutt's is legendary, it was featured on that PBS documentary "Best sandwiches in America."

The place can be hard to find if you aren't a local. I can tell you exactly how to get there from exit 16W on the pike. It's about 10 minutes from the exit, assuming there isn't a football game at Giants Stadium when you're trying to navigate the area. If there is a game, it's more like 1/2 hour, traffic gets nasty.

dscott, if you're interested, please post & I'll type out some directions.

Edited October 19, 2004 by ghostrider (log)

[dscott]

Thanks for the offer ghostrider. Directions would be appreciated. I'll be heading north on the Pike, towards the GW Bridge.

[judiu]

If you have a chance to travel on Palisades Ave., look for a joint called Callahan's, on the west side of the street. I haven't been in NJ for about 10 years, but I'm told they're still there, and still have GREAT hot dogs! It's not close to the turnpike, but not far (3 miles or less) from the GW. Enjoy! Also, Hirams, if they're still there.

[John]

Hiram's is still there, right across the street from Callahan's. I second all of the recommendations made here. Let me add one. The Galloping Hill Inn in Union is right off exit 138 of the Parkway (as is Charlies), just make a right off the exit for the Galloping Hill Inn or a left for Charlies.

Recently, I led a group of people from Jersey, Conn., New York, and one guy from Baltimore on a hot dog run. We wanted to sample the best Jersey hot dogs in a few different styles. We hit Syd's (grilled kosher style all beef), the Galloping Hill Inn (grilled German style beef and pork) Charlies (Italian Hot Dog), The Hot Grill (Texas Weiner), and Rutt's Hut (north Jersey deep fried dog). The first thre are within a few miles of each other, while the last 2 are about 15-17 miles away in Clifton. If you have some time, it's a great sample of the best of Jersey dogs. The vote for best dog sampled that day was split between Syd's and the Galloping Hill Inn.

[ghostrider]

HOW TO GET TO RUTT'S HUT FROM THE NJ PIKE

Actually, considering where you're coming from, I found a slightly better way to get there on Mapquest. Do a directions search from Ridge Rd & State Hwy 3, Rutherford, NJ 07070 US, to 467 River Road, Clifton NJ.

Ridge Road is just one of the exits off of Route 3, I'm using it only as a landmark. To get to that point, hop off the Pike at exit 16W (this is the west spur of the turnpike, the one that leads to the GW Bridge). After the tolls, stay in the middle lane - the right lane will put you onto Rt 3 East, which is the wrong direction; the middle lane crosses Rt 3 & curls around to the right to put you on Rt 3 West. Get into the next lane to your left ASAP, you don't have much space there before you curl right back around onto the Pike access ramp.

You'll drive past Giants Stadium & over a 4-lane bridge (the Berry's Creek Bridge). Stay out of the right-hand lane which becomes an exit-only lane at the bottom of the far side of the bridge. (It's not a very big bridge.) You'll go up a hill & see a sign for the Ridge Rd exit. Rt. 3 then goes underneath Ridge Rd.

Follow the MapQuest directions from this point, they seem clear & accurate. The exit for Rt 21 N, on the far side of the bridge over the Passaic, is well marked (unlike many of our NJ exits!).

I'd have taken you on a route that'd have taken you a mile or two out of your way, using exit 10B instead of 10A; MapQuest knows its stuff.

Edited October 21, 2004 by ghostrider (log)

[dscott]

Thanks everyone. Will report back.