NJ Hot Dog Joints
Hot Dogs are a summer staple across the United States. They may even be the unofficial food of summer—quick to grill, easy to eat, and perfectly portable for beach days, BBQs, and ball games. Whether loaded with toppings or kept classic, they’re the bite that brings everyone to the dinner table. However, on hot, stormy summer days (much like today here in NJ), the last thing I want to do is stand in front of a hot grill. Lucky for me and my family, we live in Northern NJ where each of these is located.
If you couldn’t tell, New Jersey takes its hot dogs seriously—like, really seriously. Whether you're team deep-fried, chili-smothered, or fully loaded with peppers and potatoes, the Garden State has a hot dog for every kind of craving. From roadside legends to hometown heroes, I’m going to highlight the top 4 hot dog joints in NJ that locals swear by and road-trippers flock to. Warning: you might want a napkin (or three) before reading on.
Hot Grill - Clifton, NJ
Hot Grill in Clifton, NJ, is a local legend for a reason—their hot dogs are deep-fried to perfection with that signature snap, then loaded up Jersey-style with mustard, chopped onions, and their famous meat sauce. It’s the kind of no-frills, flavor-packed combo that keeps people coming back for decades. Add in old-school vibes and fast, friendly service, and you’ve got a true NJ hot dog experience that hits all the right spots.
For non-hot dog fans, their burgers are also so delish! There are also salads on the menu, as well as roast beef sandwiches, grilled cheese, BLTs, and soup. You can take home their homemade hot dog toppings as well to add to your own home-grilled hot dogs!
Rutt’s Hut - Clifton, NJ
Rutt’s Hut is iconic for its deep-fried “Rippers” that burst and crisp at the edges, giving each bite a perfect snap. Add their legendary house-made relish and no-nonsense roadside charm, and you’ve got a hot dog spot that’s pure New Jersey tradition.
There is a restaurant in the back of the building. The main, popular area is home to the take-out section where you can either bring your Rippers home or eat them at their stand-up counters. Their onion rings are delish, as well as their grilled cheese and fries.
Since they haven’t changed their decor much over the years, a lot of movies film here and will be filming in the coming months according to a sign on their door.
Jimmy Buff’s - West Orange and Kenilworth, NJ
Jimmy Buff’s hot dogs are a flavor bomb—deep-fried and stuffed into pillowy pizza bread with sautéed onions, peppers, and crispy potatoes. It’s messy, bold, and uniquely Jersey, which is exactly why people love it.
You can basically add any meat option to this ‘sandwich’ if you' don’t want a hot dog—burger, sausage, chicken, steak, a combination of any of them—or just potatoes if you’re not in the mood for meat.
Hiram’s - Fort Lee, NJ
Hiram’s hot dogs are soooo good because they’re crispy, juicy, and topped with classic chili, mustard, and onions—all served in a no-frills, old-school joint that nails the perfect balance of flavor, nostalgia, and comfort food vibes. These dogs come closest to Rutt’s Hut in the sense of them being ‘ripped’ when cooked.
Burgers, grilled cheese, and beer is also a hit here.
I worked at the Starbucks down the road from here during college and I have fond memories of my boss bringing us Hiram’s randomly over the years. Chili cheese was the way to go!
Whether you’re chasing loaded chili dogs and fries from Hot Grill, crisp, famed Rippers at Rutt’s, one-of-a-kind Italian hot dogs at Jimmy Buff’s, or spicy chili and cheese dogs at Hiram’s—these four establishments serve as pillars of New Jersey’s hot dog culture. Comment below which is your favorite!