This Is My New Jersey

Growing up in North Jersey, just a stone’s throw from Newark, a battle continues to take place that’s as old as the neighborhood of the Old First Ward – what Italian hot dog do you prefer?

What is an Italian Hot Dog?

Just like I’ve said countless times, I grew up with certain foods and just assumed that’s what everyone enjoyed growing up in a predominantly Italian American neighborhood. Sadly, when you leave New Jersey, the understanding of an Italian hot dog quickly dissipates. As people from the New Jersey moved elsewhere in the country, the lore of the Italian hot dog has grown, but it is really hard to get a legit one outside my beloved state.

So, what exactly is an Italian hot dog, you ask? Just about the best street food there is. Well, maybe that’s not entirely true. After all, we have plenty of options. Meatball parm, sausage and peppers, potato and egg, and of course, the Italian hot dog.

You start with pizza bread cut in half. No, it’s not pita bread; it’s pizza bread. Then you add hot dogs fried in oil, then add peppers, onions, and potatoes. Of course, you need to add the three Jersey standards – salt, pepper, ketchup – said as one word; saltpepperketchup. Now, if you aren’t very hungry, you can get a “single,” which is one-quarter of a pizza bread, with a single hot dog, or you can get a “double,” which is half a pizza bread and two hot dogs. Honestly, I haven’t had a single since I was a kid.

Dickie Dee’s vs. Jimmy Buff’s

Of course the greatest debate in the history of the Italian hot dog comes down to two options – Dickie Dee’s or Jimmy Buff’s. And you live firmly in one court or the other court. I am a Dickie Dee’s fan. Period. Now, if someone offers me a Jimmy Buff’s, I’m certainly not going to turn it down. But given the option, I’m running to Bloomfield Avenue for a double.

According to Italian hot dog lore, Jimmy “Buff” Racioppi’s wife served this twist on the American hot dog to her husband’s friends while they played cards. Eventually, the neighborhood made a way to Jimmy’s home – not looking to play cards, but to get an awesome “Italian” hot dog.

Jersey has plenty of great hot dog joints – whether they are store fronts, a stool-bum bar, or a truck, we are incredibly lucky. And everyone has their list of preferred places. When it comes to the Italian hot dog, I am team Dickie Dee’s. But they are both classic Italian Jersey.