GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN

Thisilldous Eatery presents

GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN

tasty places to take your bike

JERSEY DOG 77 WATER ST, NEWTON, NJ 07860 973-756-7007 • www.jersey-dog.com

MON-SAT 11AM - 8PM • CLOSED SUNDAYS

The Frankfurter. The Hot Dog.

It is believed that the rst hot dogs, called “dachshund sausages”, were sold by a German immigrant out of a food cart in New York in the 1860s – perhaps explaining how they acquired their canine name. Around 1870, a German immigrant by the name of Charles Feltman opened the rst hot dog stand on Coney Island.

The ‘Little Dog,” as it became known, morphed into the name “Hot Dogs” and today they are a staple of American culture. Given the choice between a juicy burger, its hardy competitor, and the crisp snap of a well-done Hot Dog and we’re going ‘Dog’ every time. A few years back we did a “Hot Dog” Run – where we had a long and loopy route to various “Dog Houses” around the Tri-state region. It was a huge success in both avors and calories. We love a good Dog House and lucky for us we have a superb one just a few miles from Backroads Central, heading into the County Seat of Newton, New Jersey – welcome to Jersey Dog!

Located in what was once the old Hess Gas Station, Jersey Dog was a welcome addition to Sussex County – a part of the state that has seen good restaurants fade away and great ones lling the gap.

Although you’ll nd Jersey Dogs entering the busier part of Route 94 / 206 just north of Newton, it is well worth seeking out.

We have been there a few times before and, with Spring arriving it was great to see the lights back on and the place busy.

Here at Jersey Dogs, you have your choice of not one, but three dogs – your classic “Dirty Water” Sabrett or two different “Deep-Fried,” as they offer both Thumann’s and Big Dog; a foot-long monster – done in the classic “Jersey-style” that always seem to come out snappy and delicious.

Of course, there are assorted toppings that you can add, mix and match. Bacon, cheese, chili & Coney, coleslaw, and a spicier Texas chili with mustard and onions.

Alongside your Dog-of-the-Day JDs offers nearly 20 Fun Sides from fries to onion rings, macaroni & cheese bites, bloomin’ petals, chicken wings, fried clams, mushrooms, zucchini sticks, and, our favorite – fried pickles. Many of these are covered and deep-fried with a most excellent bread coating. We strongly suggest Jersey Dog’s own ‘Dirty Jersey Sauce’ their house-made and spicy mayo!

At any normal Hot Dog joint this might be enough, but this is New Jersey and we take our Dogs very seriously, especially here in Newton, and Jersey Dog Signature Puppies are off the chart. Well, if there is a chart for Hot Dog joints!?

Sixteen different Hot Dogs will be found on the menu and many of them can be had with any of the three unique and different tasting hot dogs – Sabrett, Thumann’s, or Big Dog.

Some of the Signature Dogs you will nd here include the Bacon Buffalo Chicken Dog – topped with Buffalo chicken, shredded cheddar, and your choice of ranch or blue cheese. With ‘heart healthy’ in mind follow that up with the BLT – a dog wrapped in bacon, topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.

When we stopped by last Shira ordered the Boston Baked Bean Dog; yet another bacony delight, this time covered with spicy brown mustard, shredded cheddar, and a truly superb offering of Boston-style baked beans. She had hers with a deep-fried Thumann’s and I could hear that hearty snap of a perfect dog when she took a bite! With this, she added JD’s superb onions rings and she repeatably pilfered my fried pickles chips – that Bellatrix.

OK – I share with her. But, being the well-disciplined and health-oriented guy that I am, as well as making my constant attempt at actual deep journalism I had not one, but two of Jersey Dog’s Signature offerings. The Chicago (Cause I love the band) – yellow mustard, onions, pickles, sweet relish, tomato topped with pepperoncini & celery salt.

Yes, it did Make Me Smile!

That was followed by Round 2, and keeping with the geographic avors I chose the North Carolina Dog- a deep-fried, snappy, and very tasty Thumann’s covered with chili, coleslaw, and hot sauce and this was chased down by Jersey Dog’s own Vanilla Cream soda. Add in any remaining fried pickle chips that Shira might have left me and I had a very lling and tasty experience.

Other Signature Dogs you will nd on their menu include the Pizza, Reuben, Nancho, Italian Double Dog, Volcano, and Rodeo.

And, of course, let us not forget our beautiful Garden State with the Jersey Girl - Bechamel cheese, potato, with a pureed roasted red pepper sauce, and the Jersey Dog itself – We suggest you go Big Dog with this one.

Drum roll, please…

A dog wrapped in Taylor Ham served with yellow American (New Jersey) Cheese and topped with crumbled Hash Browns, Salt, Pepper & Ketchup.

Nothing else needs to be said.

Oh, if you just haven’t had enough fried goodness, you can nish off the meal with deep-fried Oreos or Twinkies – goodness me!

We alluded that Jersey Dog is found on a busier road, as the Americanization of our small towns continues unabated – still, this old gas station now living its life as one of the best Hot Dog spots in the region harkening back to an old-style north Jersey feel and we’d have it no other way. There a some counter seats inside, as well as covered picnic tables outside.

So, with all this in mind let us give you a funtastic route to get to Newton and Jersey Dog.

Download the GPS Route, which will start across the big river to the east at Hudson Valley Motorcycles – one of our long-time supporters and a seriously great shop as well.

Enjoy and run with the dogs, my friends – the Jersey Dog! ,

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