Rutt’s Hut

There are a lot of hot dog places and this is one of the best. A ripper with the relish, some mustard, and ketchup is great! But I enjoy a Texas wiener… did I just type that? But if you want a Texas wiener here you need to order chile on the side, they’re dogs come one way… plain. They have great chile, great relish, great dogs. The service is quick, the atmosphere literally hasn’t changed in the last 80 years, and yes, it is a must go to place! The only downside is it is cash only, and they don’t have an atm? While keeping the tradition is great, so is making some changes so that the modern consumer can easily enjoy the food here.

Home of the ripper never disappoints. Three generations of my family have been coming here since the 1950s. A classic old-​timer hot dog joint. Not your kind of place if you are uppity and pretentious. But if you can appreciate deep-​fried dogs, good chili and cold beer, this is the place for you. Texas weiner joints are a dime a dozen. But there is only one ripper. A true piece of Jersey history.

Of course everyone seems to love these niche hot dog dives. The place has been around for ages as has the dust and dirt hanging 4 inches out of the ceiling vents. Be careful where you settle in to eat or you might wind up with more than you wanted on your dog! Look up first. What is it with these places? there is a certain competitor in W. Orange that is actually worse than this place. I guess it’s the originality of the dogs that keep us coming back. Here it’s the unique relish.

Service absolutely sucked. The waitress was very unwelcoming. It took them awhile to come to our table (which we had to walk in and pick a fairly clean table). One waitress was counting her money for a couple of minutes and then went straight to serving food.
The food was OK. The relish was bland, I’m very disappointed because that was probably the one reason why I went there. We got the ripper hot dog, the hot dog itself was pretty good, everything else was lacking flavor… And salt? Or something. The gravy fries seemed like regular frozen fries deep fried and served with cold bland gravy on top.
The restaurant reminded me of a dark and dingy haunted house. The bathroom was even worse. It is also cash only for those who don’t carry cash. I wouldn’t ever go back.

This place is definitely a dive but the hot dogs coming out of this place are good and it’s an experience to take in.
The place is dark and sketchy, looks like it hasn’t been updated since the 50’s, CASH only and a pitcher of soda comes with little shot glass sized cups.
Check it out at least once!

For God sake, it’s 2016! I can take a credit card using my freaking iPhone yet, an establishment that’s been around sense the 1900’s is too cheap to get a damn credit card reader. Ok, that being said… The rippers are amazing! Each time I’ve had the fries, they have been stale tasting and dried out. The fish in the Fish ‘n Chips is awesome! The chili is not good, it’s just ok. Relish for the rippers is great.
So, this place is hit or miss. I love the rippers and they are good enough to deal with the laziness of the staff who won’t get a damn card reader.

One thing that we always try to do whenever we are going to NFL games is to find out where the local fans go before the game. It just so happened that we saw Rutts Hut on a NFL films documentary about the Giants move to New Jersey. So naturally we made it a point to stop by before kickoff.
It’s simple honest to goodness fast food here. The food is simple and tastes good. We weren’t super adventurous so we kept it safe and ordered a few rippers topped with their world famous relish. We did not divulge in any of the other variants like the Weller and Cremator. We also ordered a set of gravy fries; once again simple greasy goodness.
I hate to mark this place as a cheap eats but it was a great value feeding me and the lady for under $ 20.
Be sure to partake in a local ritual before heading to the Giants game and stop by here for a few rippers. You know the saying: When in Rome do as Romans. So when in Jersey, do as Giants…
–P

Yes. The hot dogs are perfect and the relish is the most flavorful I’ve ever had. I also got the gravy fries, and the gravy they use tasted very good.
The bottom line is, I went last night and I’m already debating on going back tonight. It tastes great and it’s cheap. You MUST get the relish.

This is an awesome dive joint that everyone should go to at least once. Out of towners must experience all that NJ has to offer.
Their rippers are so good, but I’ve found that they aren’t as consistent as I would have imagined. Next time I go I’ll ask for my rippers well done to get that nice crisp skin. They make great mustard and relish which are always a reliable source of nutrients: it’s a Rutts staple. The people who work there are aggressive as hell and that’s what makes this place even more classic. It gives that ‘you’re in new Jersey’ feel. Good stuff.
An iconic legend of the game. Get there and try a ripper.

This little rundown place set hard next to a river and highway has been serving deep fried hot dogs that they call «rippers» — because the casing rips in the fryer — and a special mustard relish since 1928. I cam here the other day for the second time. The first time was with the President of our company about three years ago — he told me last month that he thinks he still may not have digested the ripper from three years ago fully.
The grease does give the skinny Thurmans wiener an interesting bite and crunch. The relish is nothing special — bland and too mustardy.
The décor is nothing special, there are no seats, and what passes for service is not as good as I have had at some vending machines. However, I would still come to Rutts one time and plop down your $ 2.35 just so you can say that you have had a ripper — something that North Jerseyans evidently feel passes for culinary tradition. You probably won’t come back, though.

When was the last time this place was cleaned, it’s filthy. Nostalgic doesn’t mean dirty. Is it legal to not post prices of what they sell and not get a receipt? How do you know if you are ripped off and being over charged? A costly hot dog if you want sauerkraut, which they serve cold and appears raw, costs extra and you get it in a plastic cup with a fork, they give you too much for one hot dog, Ordered two rippers and they were just warm not hot? They may be in business a long time but this place needs cleaning and some updates.
The inside restaurant is different? You walk past the loud bar area to the back towards the restaurant. The wait staff is polite, prices on the menu inside but not outside? Takeout and STANDUP eating on the right side, add stools PLEASE. Change is sometimes good for the better, the new owners should spend time cleaning the place instead of the major interest in collecting our money. Nothing is going to change, lazy and dirty I guess are in. Handling dirty money and your food is risky eating here. Buy some Windex and paper towels from your profits to clean those filthy windows and doors. Because of popularity people go, what’s the risk, you be the judge.

This is one of the best hot dog spots in the country, been here for ever, and so have the generations of customers that keep coming back. Their deep fried hot dogs are unbelievable, gotta get a ripper. When you bite into one, the snap then crunch of that dog is a religious experience. Then you have to top them off with the homemade mustard and relish are out of this world. I love the mug of beer which is really a small clear solo cup. It is a must stop in NJ, and is rated top 10 hot dog spot in the country like every year. Come ready for some of the best hot dogs ever.

There really isn’t much more to say that hasn’t already been said. This place (bar side) is great. I’ve been here a dozen or so times and always go to the bar side. Miller High Life on tap is hard to find and it accompanies the dogs perfectly.

I have been coming here since the late 1950’s and the hot dogs are just as delicious today as they were when I was a kid! Don’t look for ambiance or anything resembling upacale. It’s all about standing at one of the counters eating the hot dogs (it has to be the ripper). Though most regulars are fans of the home made mustard and relish (like hubby) which they also sell to go I love my dogs with some raw onions. In all the years I have been coming here I have never had anything but the dogs and onion rings. And although I love the greasy onion rings unfortunately they do not love me so I no longer ger order them. Hubby had the chili tonight and said it was great. Nice people, great hot dogs. That’s all she wrote.

If there is a great hot dog to be found, I will definitely seek it out. I had heard of Rutt’s Hut for a long time and always wanted to check them out. They have been opened since 1928! Something that’s been around that long, has to be pretty damn good, right?
On our way out of New Jersey, we decided to stop by here to get some «rippers». We parked in the lot, walked in and placed our order. I ordered 6 hot dogs, an onion rings, a gravy/​cheese fries and a large Pepsi. Total was around $ 22.00 and the order was ready in about a minute. Here is how everything was…
Hot Dogs («Rippers») — I personally ate 3 of these bad boys. The dogs themselves are a Thumann frank and they are deep fried until they split open. hence, the «ripper» name. They serve them plain and you add your toppings on after the fact. They have 2 metal vats sitting on the counter. One of them was mustard, one of them was their famous relish. You take off the lids, grab the wooden spoons and slather up the dogs. I prepared my 3 dogs and was ready to grub! I took a bite in and they were mighty fine! The dogs were a tad crisp/​crunchy when you bit in but tender and meaty in the middle. The relish was delicious! It was a bright yellow concoction which had a nice kick to it. A good sweet/​cabbagey taste. It was very unique and very delicious. The dogs were awesome! I can see why people love them and keep coming back!
Onion Rings– These were more of an «onion petal» type ring. The batch we got was cooked just a tad too long (a little burnt/​crispy) but they still tasted alright. Next time, I would probably skip the rings and mow down an extra dog or two!
Overall, I’m glad we stopped! The dogs were great and the mustard/​relish combo are the perfect toppings for these dogs. The rings, fries and Pepsi (Coke fan myself) were just alright. Service was straight forward and to the point. I would definitely come back if I lived close to the neighborhood but I couldn’t see driving over an hour or so to make this a specific destination. I’m definitely glad I made it here though and knocked if off of my list of great hot dog joints to try!

Late review, I was here on Saturday 9÷26÷15.
Ordered two Rippers, the dogs came out steaming hot two seconds after I paid. They were alright, not the best I’ve ever had, but OK. Deep fried hot dogs are not bad, but honestly, I prefer them made on the grill. Wasn’t as crazy about the Rutt’s Hutt relish as others, didn’t find it to be anything special. Buns would’ve been better if they had been toasted.
Wouldn’t go out of my way to stop back, but if you’re in the area, it’s a decent hot dog.

I was in the area and decided to check out Rutt’s Hut! I’m a hot dog fan so I was hoping I wouldn’t be disappointed. The place is kind of hard to find since the GPS took me to the wrong place so beware!
We ordered from the to go area and ate on the counter tops. The hot dogs were good, but not amazing. I would definitely come back if I am in the area, but I wouldn’t make the drive just for it. It’s a great no frills type of place and a great place to come with family.
We also tried the calamari and it was okay. Give this a pass since it’s not a must. We washed our food down with some birch beer and that was delicious!
If you’re looking for some awesome hot dogs, go to Destination Dogs in New Brunswick! Those are amazing and worth the drive/​trek into Jersey!

The Best
A rare 5 star review about a place that essentially does one item and does it so well. I would have to say the holy grail of hot dogs.
Rutt’s, a dumpy hot dog joint near Newark New Jersey (doesn’t sound too appealing). However, deep fried hot dogs with that special relish, there is no comparison. A hot dog joint where you can get the high quality dog cooked anyway you want it, brilliant.
Tip:
Order 2 rippers, put mustard and the special relish, fries, and grab a can of beer. They should make it a combo called the All American.
If your a hot dog fan this is a place you have to try before you die.
Thanks

Hands down without a doubt the best dogs in the area.
I’ve been coming here for years. I’ve been drawn to these ripper hot dogs for sometime now that I can’t even eat a regular hot dog anymore. The crunch is amazing on these dogs and I always get them with wiz.
Great sides as well. The French fries are always crispy and yes, those get cheese as well. The big ticket for the sides are the onions rings. They are not even greasy for something that is fried and usually is greasy at other places. We always get a cup of all meat chili, to spread on the hot dogs and fries. I can’t get enough of these hot dogs and try to visit as much as possible when I’m in the area

I’ve been to Rutt’s Hut a couple of times now that I’ve moved to North Jersey. I am definitely a fan! I don’t go too often though, otherwise you’d have to roll me down the street to get home.
I only go inside and usually sit at the bar. I love the feel of the place. It’s like it never aged from the 1950’s. The bartender is my favorite! She always leaves halfway through the meal to go have a smoke. She always asks if we are OK before she heads out. The beer is served cold, and in old school glasses.
I’ve had the ripper, burger with gravy, beef with gravy, and of course gravy fries. I always enjoy the food. The deep fried hot dogs are delicious and I usually have them with mustard and ketchup. The burger is small (think Stewarts small) so there is definitely way more bun than burger. Whatever, the gravy on the bun is a good time as well.
Like I said, I don’t go often, but when I am feeling a bit naughty I like to eat some food from Rutt’s Hut and drink some cheap beer. Their prices are definitely right!