• Cost: $
• Credit Cards: No
• Alcohol: None
• Parking: Street, Metered
• Take Out: Yes

---

October 31, 2014

Review

New Jersey’s fourth-largest city has plenty to offer hot dog aficionados, especially fans of the Italian hot dog.

A classic only-in-Jersey food, Italian Hot Dogs were first served in Newark in the 1930s – a half-round soft pizza roll slathered with spicy mustard and filled with a deep fried hot dog, grilled peppers, onions and sliced potatoes.

At Tommy’s, a take-out only window that has been serving dogs in the same in Elizabeth location since 1969, you can order a single, double or triple dog, or mix and match a hot dog and a sausage. Chili, red onions, hot relish, cheese and hot peppers are the add-on options. It’s the deep fried potatoes, however, that really stand out. They are so good you can order “potatoes in a cup” by themselves.

I give the Italian Hot Dog nod to Charlie’s Famous for firmer bread, but Tommy’s is very close in my book, and offers hot dog stand atmosphere to spare. Tommy’s version has been named the best Italian dog in the state by the Star-Ledger’s Pete Genovese. Jerry’s Famous Frankfurters is only two doors down if you have room for another Jersey dog.

Links

• Inside Jersey (31 July 2014)
• You Don't Know Jersey (30 Sep 2011)

Print this page

---