Tailgating Deep-Fried Hot Dogs Is a New Pandemic Ritual at Rutt’s Hut in New Jersey | Eater NY

"I’ve been eating their hot dogs for 28 years, and on a recent visit through Clifton, New Jersey I found Rutt’s Hut as popular as ever—masked patrons queued in a socially distanced line and, with the counters inside now off-limits, most were happily tailgating in the huge parking lot. Founded by Anna and Royal Rutt in 1928 and located just off Jersey Route 3 on a hillock overlooking the Passaic River, the complex is a great pile of brown bricks with a dark, cavernous tavern (which even lists duck) and a windowed enclosure where the franks are dispensed. The hot dogs are slender beef-and-pork Thumann’s franks, deep-fried in the North Jersey style so the sheep casing pops; order them well done as “rippers” to get the characteristic tears and extra crispness. The house relish, created by Anna Rutt, is yellow, tart, slightly sweet, kept in big steel pots with flipping lids and applied before the dogs are wrapped; the buns are plain and unremarkable, so I ask for the franks on a paper plate to carry out to my tailgate. The onion rings are spectacular, the fries just okay (much better dipped in the relish or dressed Jersey-style with gravy and mozzarella), birch beer is the beverage of choice, and while there are hamburgers, Taylor ham sandwiches, omelets, stuffed clams and surprisingly good chili, I concentrate on the franks ($2.50) and eat them in the parking lot." - Robert Sietsema