New Jersey's Got America's Best Hot Dogs: Here's Where

It just figures that New Jersey would have the best hot dogs in the country. So says a well-respected food connoisseur that also rates the best restaurants in the United States. The Daily Meal has placed a New Jersey establishment at the top of its list of the nation's best 75 hot dog-eating places.

Taking the top prize was Rutt’s Hut of Clifton, known for serving the trademark "Ripper" — a pork-and-beef Thumann’s link "that’s deep-fried in beef fat until it rips apart."

"The fact that this roadside shack has not only a counter to end all counters amid its stand-up dining room," according to The Daily Meal, "but also an adjoining tap room where you can drink cheap beer and chat with old-timers and fellow pilgrims, propels Rutt’s Hut to legendary status."

Five New Jersey eateries made the list provided by the website, which said it considered who was best at turning the "humble hot dog into a work of art."

"We started by putting together a list of hot dog places that have attained a level of local renown, whether small-town or big-city," according to The Daily Meal. "We made sure to take into account online reviews from locals as well as the restaurant’s overall reputation among those in the know, and the quality of the ingredients — namely, sourcing the franks from well-respected local producers — was also important."

The Daily Meal also called on chefs, food writers, bloggers and journalists from around the country to take a survey, and it also asked its social media followers to take the survey as well, and more than 150 respondents weighed in.

Here are the other New Jersey places that appeared on the list:

• #23 Jimmy Buff's Italian Hot Dogs in West Orange: "Since 1932, they’ve been serving a distinct, somewhat bizarre creation called the Italian hot dog."
• #32 Tommy's in Elizabeth: "It starts with a deep-fried skinless frank from the inimitable Best Provisions, tucked into a quarter of a light and crusty loaf made from pizza dough."
• #56 Max's Famous Hot Dogs in Long Branch: "The toppings really run the gamut; you can opt for a simple squirt of mustard or choose from options including spicy or sweet relish, chili (the traditional beef-and-bean variety), cheese, sauerkraut, bacon, coleslaw, and chopped onions."
• #73: Maui' Dog House in Wildwood: "Why? Because its hot dogs are delicious and insanely creative."

See the whole list here.

Patch file photo