sonjaab,

I’m sure that the price of peppers is why they aren’t available. Awhile back 2 of the Jimmy Buff’s locations stopped using them. I posted about it here and on other forums. The owner of Jimmy Buff’s actually posted about the price of peppers going up and stated that his 2 locations (West Orange and East Hanover) still used them. His uncle’s locations (Scotch Plains and Irvington) were the 2 that stopped using them. Supporters of these locations said that because of the price increase, I should be willing to either pay more for the peppers, or do without them. I strongly disagree. Other places selling Italian Hot Dogs didn’t eliminate the peppers or raise their price. I know people in the business, and their biggest cost is overhead. It’s fairly cheap to make an Italian Hot Dog yourself at home. I do it from time to time. And because I know what I like, I actually prefer mine. But I don’t like cleaning my deep fryer and doing the work involved. So most of the time I buy them. And to me, peppers are an important ingredient in an Italian Hot Dog. They should absorb the cost like the other places do. The Irvington location started using peppers again (maybe after people like me began complaining) but then stopped. The last few times I was there, they didn’t have them. So I just go elsewhere. Can you imagine a pizzeria refusing to put cheese on a pizza because the price went up?

This past week I had a chance to visit a restaurant for the first time. Attilio’s Kitchen in Denville has been open for 10 years, and , unknown to me until now, has a reputation as one of the finest Italian restaurants in New Jersey. The last three years they have been named the best Italian Restaurant in Morris County. One of the owners is Gino Pesci, cousin of actor Joe Pesci. I knew nothing about the place or even what kind of restaurant it was. I went because recently I’ve heard from 2 different people that they serve the best Italian Hot Dog in Jersey.

I decided to go and see for myself. Unless you are a hot dog fanatic like me, you come here for posssibly the best Italian food in the state. Even if you are a hot dog fanatic, you should still come here for Italian food. And the Italian Hot Dogs, which are top notch. A beautiful restaurant which definitely has the best atmosphere of any restaurant I’ve been to. The building is the restored 19th century E.C.Peer General Store that dates back to before the Civil War. It was a store as well as a residence. It has a rustic, log cabin feel to it. Much of their homemade food is available in their store to take home. There are a few dining rooms as well as a couple of private dining rooms upstairs that you can reserve.

I was so impressed with the place itself that when I returned home I googled it and read many reviews, all of which were positive. Since I was there for an Italian Hot Dog, that is what I ordered. But while there, I was told that the homemade mozzarella came in 2nd place in the Star Ledger Munchmobile’s contest held a few years ago. That’s impressive since there were close to a thousand entries. I decided to order it as an appetizer. The mozzarella came with peppers and black olives, and was outstanding. Better than any I’ve had.

As for the Italian Hot Dog, it was better than what I anticipated. I had expected a good one based on what I heard, but the sandwich here I would put in the top tier of Italian Hot Dogs along with Jimmy Buff’s East Hanover and Tommy’s in Elizabeth. The bread was good, thick, and sturdy. Very similar to what is served at the Jimmy Buff’s mentioned. It comes from JC’s bakery in Parsippany. The dogs are from Best’s and are 8 to a lb in size. The green peppers (I don’t get onions) were done perfectly and generously applied. As good as I’ve had anywhere. The potatoes were tasty and cut in chunks like Dickiee Dees rather than in thin slices like Jimmy Buff’s or Tommy’s. I usually prefer the thin sliced potatoes, but these were fine.

I would definitely recommend the Italian Hot Dog if you live in the area and crave one for lunch. But unless hot dogs are your favorite thing to eat (like they are for me) I suggest that if you’re going to travel here, come for the other food. The website is http://www.attilioskitchen.com. I noticed many people eating pizzas (it was lunch time) so I ordered 2 to take home for later. I got the Pizza Margherita and the Pizza Gorgonzola. Both were fantastic heated in the oven later, but I especially enjoyed the Pizza Gorgonzola with mozzarella, gorgonzola cheese, mushrooms, and bacon. One of the best pizzas I’ve had.

Before I left I got to talk with Gino Pesci. He makes it a point to try and meet everyone who visits his restaurant. Of course, I spoke with him about the Italian Hot Dog. He grew up in Newark and ate many Italian Hot Dogs at Dickiee Dees. That’s why the potatoes are similar. And that’s why you can get a great Italian Hot Dog in Morris County where you don’t usually see them. But the sandwich here is much better than Dickiee Dees. The bread is better, the dogs are bigger, peppers are soft instaed of crunchy, and while the potatoes are similar, they’re better at Attilio’s.

There is no liquor license, so bring your own. There is a lunch and dinner menu (see website) and entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings. I’ll be back soon.

Having a rare day off, I got the chance to check out 2 new hot dog joints. One is new in the real sense (open 1 month) and the other is new to me.

Top Dog is the name of a small hot dog restaurant in Metuchen that opened last month. Located on New Street, you can get there by taking Rt 27 to Main St. and making the first right onto New St. Rt 27 is right off exit 131 on the Parkway. Top Dog serves hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, wraps, and specialty desserts such as fried twinkies and fried oreos. The hot dogs are Hatfield Angus Beef dogs that are prepared on a griddle. This particular dog is only available at Restaurant Depot and a few independant distributors. Made in Pa., it isn’t even sold there. It was made for the Jersey/N.Y. market to compete with Sabrett. It is a kosher style dog, but with a big meaty, smoky flavor. My wife and son like this dog better than any other. I think it’s good also, but I do prefer other dogs. This particular dog is very good boiled. I’ve had it at a truck (Nagle’s) in Sayreville. It’s good if you prefer a very rich smoky flavor. I enjoyed my dog with just mustard. I had the chili in a small cup. Home made, and ok. Nothing special. All in all a good dog for the price $1.59 for a plain 8 to a lb natural casing grilled dog. A good stop if you’re in the area. I was told that they would be open Sunday. I even called on Saturday just to make sure. But when I went, they were closed. So, since I was so close to the Menlo Park Mall, I went to Nathan’s. Three dogs for $3.33, but now you do have to buy fries to get this deal. The dogs were excellent. Better than what I had from Top Dog today. But you may not agree. My wife and son wouldn’t.

I also went to 9th Ave. and 14th St. in Newark. This adress was where the very first Italian Hot Dog was sold. The original location of Jimmy Buff’s. Buff’s move out in the 70’s I believe, and the location was bought by Lou Bancala, who continued to sell Italian Hot Dogs the same way as his predecessor. It was called Lou’s Italian Hot Dogs. I drove there about 2 years ago to find out that they were closed. There was a fire, and I thought they were closed for good. I found out that they opened this past December. Lou is still the owner, but now the place is called World’s First Italian Hot Dog, Inc. It is the place where the first Italian Hot Dog in N.J. was sold.

They have the same slanted steel pit that is used by Jimmy Buff’s. Pee Dee Vee in Bloomfield also uses this. Everything is similar to Jimmy Buff’s. I think the hot dogs are bigger; maybe 8 to a lb as opposed to 10. The potatoes are similar in size (sliced fairly thin) but cooked to a browner color with slightly less grease. The only thing I didn’t like was that they didn’t offer peppers, which to me is an important part of this sandwich. A good, authentic Italian Hot Dog, with the exception of the peppers being left out. Located in a really bad section of Newark. I would be careful going there. Open Mon-Sat 10 to 6. They also offer sausage sandwiches.

Originally posted by Mr. And Mrs. yocco dog

Thanks for the post – we’ll try to check out these places. We wanted to recommend Yocco’s Hot Dogs in the Allentown, PA area. They have a few locations – these dogs are well done and the meat is spicy – very firm and flavorful. Their special chili is unlike any we’ve had – thin body – full flavor and dark brown color. They are one of our favorites – :)We just left Rutt’s Hut in Clifton NJ – we are continuing our best chili dog quest.

Wow, this was the first post of this long thread. I hope you read the rest of it since many new places have been visited and reviewed since then.

Arutha5,

The dogs at Galloping Hill Inn have a collagen casing, and in my experience, do have a good snap. Maybe you got a bad sample? I’d try again. Out of all of the hot dog places I’ve been to, I’ve probably had Galloping Hill hot dogs more than any other. Part of the reason is because it is the closest hot dog joint to where I live. Right down the street! And the dogs are great. People who like the German style of frankfurter (milder, and easier on the spices) love this dog. And because I love it too, I go there a lot. In my opinion, it’s better than the Windmill and Max’s; 2 places serving grilled dogs in this style.

I’ve also been to Boulevard Drinks many times. A completely different type of dog. Bold, spicy, garlicky, in the kosher style. These dogs are Sabrett all beef; natural casing, 12 to a lb. Same dog that is used at Papaya King and Gray’s Papaya in New York City, with the exception that the New York dogs are a little bigger; 10 to a lb. Katz’s also serves this dog, but it is bigger still, 8 to a lb. Boulevard Drinks is one of the best dogs in Jersey. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it is a pain to park around there.

If you like these dogs; let me suggest Jerry’s in Elizabeth and Syd’s in Union. They are the only 2 all beef dogs that I would rate ahead of Boulevard Drinks. Nathan’s at the Menlo Park Mall is excellent as well. An 8 to a lb natural casing dog that is grilled perfectly. This is one Nathan’s location that is reliable. They have a special Friday to Monday. Three dogs for $3.33. You can’t beat that! For all beef dogs, my favorites are Syd’s, Jerry’s, Boulevard Drinks, Nathan’s (Menlo Park location), and Father & Son.

On another note, I found out that the Jimmy Buff’s in Irvington will close. Their last day will be May 21.

Johnny and Hanges opened a second location in Atlantic City a few years ago. I don’t know how they are doing or if they are even still open.

Oh, I almost forgot about the dogs fdrom Stewart’s. Years ago they grilled Thumann’s. Last time I was there was about 2 or 3 years ago, and they used the same Thumann’s grillers, but switched to deep frying. I’ll have to check them out soon.