markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

It's 4th of July! If you are from Bradley Beach, NJ (as I am), you ate hot dogs at least once a week, probably more, in the summertime. Down on Ocean Ave., there were two places to buy a hot dog. One was, Mike & Lou's - the first one. There, one could get a perfectly cooked hot dog (with spilts) from grilling when it was done. Mike & Lou's used Schickhaus hot dogs and put it on a slightly toasted hot dog roll. Mustard, sauerkraut, hot or sweet relish were in "self help' vessels. I think it was $.25. Mike & Lou's opened on Memorial Day. You can bet I had one on Memorial Day and many days after as the summer progressed.

In the early 50's, a new hot dog place opened. The owner was a man named "Syd" who had a famous hot dog stand in the Weequahic, section of Newark, NJ. Now Syd only had kosher hotdogs (probably Hebrew National or Reinfeld) and he boiled them to perfection. He decided to open a 2nd stand in Bradley Beach and of course named it Syd's. If one wanted a hot dog with "stuff on it", you ordered it sweet, hot, mustard only, mustard-kraut, sweet works or hot works. Only Syd could put on the "stuff".
So, as a teenager, one hung out at Mike & Lou's or Syd's, depending on how you liked your hotdog. It was very ritualistic with loyalty to one or the other. And just as the constant argument of which is better, Canon or Nikon cameras, the argument went on all summer of which hot dog was better.
So, my wife & I are having a Mike & Lou's hot dog this evening for super. Yummy!! Can't wait!! Yup, I griddle them, have sauerkraut, relish and rolls all ready. Hurray dinner!

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JustJill Loc: Iowa

What a great picture and a fun memory. I am making "Chicago Dogs" tonight. Made with Hebrew National all beef kosher hotdogs.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Mark, my aspirations of having hotdogs during the 4th of July weekend were dashed when the deli I planned on having lunch was closed for a few weeks for vacation. I'm going to have them when they re-open.
--Bob

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Sounds good!! Enjoy the hot dogs.
Mark

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

That's great, Bob!! Enjoy them when they re-open!
Have a Happy & safe 4th.
Mark

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Great memories Mark!

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thank you, Bill! Growing up at the NJ shore was a wonderful time in my life.
Mark

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Thanks for sharing such wonderful childhood memories . . . .
They made me . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thank you, JimmyT!!
Mark

mindzye Loc: WV

Mark when we moved here to wild & wonderful WV 12 yrs ago we were introduced to a (now closed) breakfast/ lunch place off of 33E; 'Bob's'. Simple. He had about 25 ways to make hot dogs. The favorite of the patrons - the Viagra dog. The hot dog was bigger than the bun.....
Happy dining.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Mark

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Thanks for sharing these memories, Mark. Nothing says 4th of July better than Hot Dogs with sauerkraut.

Goldyrock

Rutt's Hut in Clifton has the rippers. I believe that they are Schickhaus. I think that they are boiled and deep fried.
Also in Edgewater, there was a small restaurant in the marina where I kept my boat called the Captain's Roost that made them the same way. It was only open from April till September. The owner was from Passaic, so he knew about Rutt's Hut and probably copied them. They were delicious. In Ft. Lee, we had Callahan's and Hirams that were across the street from each other. Hirams is still there. Callahans became condos. Great memories from all of them.

lbrande

Since I'm from Brooklyn, NY, I would go to Nathans at Cony Island and have several hot dogs and their famous fries while walking on the boardwalk. Later we would have a pretzel with mustard.

mindzye Loc: WV

I always thought dogs w/ sauerkraut was a staple. Ordered one and a friend was aghast. What??! Sauerkraut? Really?

Troglodyte !