People Cross The River From New York City Just To Try These New Jersey Comfort Food Landmarks
New Jersey might live in the shadow of its flashy neighbor across the Hudson, but when it comes to comfort food, the Garden State shines bright.
From the legendary Italian hot dogs at Jimmy Buff’s, a Newark original since 1932, to diners and taverns that feel frozen in time, Jersey’s iconic eateries have been drawing hungry New Yorkers for generations.
I’ve watched countless visitors hop on trains, buses, and ferries just to satisfy cravings only these landmarks can fulfill—places where nostalgia and flavor come together in dishes that have become part of the region’s cultural identity.
The Legendary Ripper – Hot Dogs That Put Rutt’s Hut On The Map
The first time I bit into a Ripper at Rutt’s Hut in Clifton, I understood why people have been making pilgrimages here since 1928. These aren’t your average hot dogs – they’re deep-fried until they burst open (hence the name “Ripper”), creating a crispy exterior that gives way to juicy goodness inside.
What makes them legendary is the secret relish called “Relish” (yes, that’s its official name) – a mustard-based, spicy concoction that perfectly complements the snappy dogs. The no-frills counter service and weathered wood paneling are part of the experience.
Regulars know to order by crispness level: a Ripper is standard, an “In-and-Outer” is lightly fried, while the “Cremator” is fried until nearly black. Worth every minute of the journey from Manhattan!
White Manna’s Sliders – Tiny Burgers With A Massive Following
My buddy once drove us 45 minutes just for these diminutive delights, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Tucked away in Hackensack, White Manna’s tiny, diner-style building houses a burger operation that’s remained virtually unchanged since the 1940s.
The magic happens on a small steam-covered griddle where paper-thin patties cook alongside mountains of sliced onions. Each burger gets a slice of cheese that melts into the meat before being placed on a soft potato roll no bigger than your palm.
Despite their size, these sliders pack serious flavor – beefy, oniony, and perfectly greasy in that satisfying diner way. The cramped counter seating adds to the authentic experience. I’ve seen Manhattan food snobs transformed into true believers after just one bite!
Hiram’s Roadstand – Hot Dog Heaven Since 1932
Hiram’s doesn’t look like much from the outside – just a humble roadside shack in Fort Lee that hasn’t changed much in nearly a century. But appearances deceive! My first visit happened after getting lost trying to find the George Washington Bridge, and it turned into the happiest wrong turn of my life.
Their deep-fried hot dogs have that perfect snap when you bite in, with a casing that’s crisp without being tough. I always get mine with mustard and sauerkraut – the tangy combination cuts through the richness perfectly.
The place has zero pretension – plastic baskets, paper plates, and cash only. Anthony Bourdain was a fan, calling these dogs “unimprovable.” When New Yorkers debate the best hot dogs in the region, Hiram’s always enters the conversation, bridge traffic be damned.
Summit Diner Classics – Pork Roll, Eggs, And Pure Nostalgia
One rainy Sunday morning, I found myself at the counter of the Summit Diner – that gleaming, stainless-steel railcar diner that’s been serving comfort since 1929. The waitress called me “hon” and didn’t even blink when I ordered Jersey’s most iconic breakfast: pork roll (or Taylor ham, depending which part of Jersey you’re from), egg and cheese on a hard roll.
The sandwich arrived minutes later – a beautiful mess of griddled pork roll with crispy edges, melted American cheese, and a perfectly fried egg on a kaiser roll that somehow manages to hold everything together. The yolk breaks, creating a sauce that mingles with the salty meat in pure breakfast harmony.
The coffee comes in thick white mugs, refilled without asking. This place is the real deal – no avocado toast in sight, just honest diner food that makes crossing the Hudson worthwhile.
Belmont Tavern’s Chicken Savoy – A Dish With Cult Status
My first encounter with Chicken Savoy happened on a friend’s birthday in Belleville. “Trust me,” she said as we entered the unassuming Belmont Tavern, a red-sauce joint that looks frozen in 1967. That night changed my understanding of what chicken could be.
The Chicken Savoy arrives sizzling – bone-in pieces roasted until the skin crackles, drenched in a vinegary, garlicky sauce with herbs and a dusting of cheese. The acid cuts through the richness, creating an addictive combination that’s impossible to replicate at home (though many have tried).
The recipe remains a closely guarded secret, and the Belmont doesn’t take reservations or credit cards. Yet New Yorkers still flock here, waiting patiently at the bar for a table, knowing some culinary experiences are worth both the trip and the time.
Harold’s New York Deli – Monstrous Sandwiches Worth The Journey
I nearly fainted when I first saw a sandwich from Harold’s in Edison. No exaggeration – these towering creations stand almost a foot tall! My cousin dragged me there after promising “the best pastrami outside Manhattan,” and I was skeptical until that first perfect bite.
Harold’s corned beef and pastrami are house-cured, hand-sliced, and stacked impossibly high between slices of rye. One sandwich easily feeds three hungry adults. The meat is tender, fatty in all the right ways, with that perfect peppery crust around the edges.
The complimentary pickle bar features some of the best sour pickles I’ve ever tasted, along with pickled tomatoes and slaw. Though technically in the suburbs, this Jewish deli temple draws Manhattan dwellers willing to brave the Lincoln Tunnel for a taste of sandwich perfection that rivals (some say exceeds) the famous Katz’s.
Tops Diner – The King Of New Jersey Diners
“Just one more exit,” I promised my hungry Manhattan friends as we drove through the industrial landscape of East Newark. Their skepticism vanished the moment we stepped into Tops Diner – gleaming, modern, yet somehow still authentic to its 1942 roots.
Tops elevates diner food to art form status. Their meatloaf rivals your grandmother’s, the disco fries (Jersey’s answer to poutine) arrive bubbling with gravy and cheese, and the mile-high cakes in the rotating display case are impossible to resist. But it’s the pancakes that haunt my dreams – fluffy, plate-sized, and perfect whether topped with berries or chocolate chips.
Despite multiple renovations, Tops maintains that indefinable diner essence while serving food that makes the bridge-and-tunnel journey worthwhile. The wait can stretch to an hour on weekends, but even jaded New Yorkers agree it’s time well spent.
Hot Texas Wieners At Libby’s Lunch – A Passaic Institution
My GPS failed me three times before I finally found Libby’s Lunch, tucked under a highway overpass in Paterson. The nondescript exterior gives no hint of the hot dog magic happening inside this institution since 1936.
Their specialty – Texas Wieners – has nothing to do with the Lone Star State. These are deep-fried all-beef hot dogs topped with a distinctive spiced meat sauce (almost like a Greek-inspired chili), chopped onions, and yellow mustard. The combination creates a perfect harmony of flavors and textures that’s uniquely North Jersey.
The counter seating puts you right in front of the grill where you can watch the cooks work their magic. There’s something hypnotic about seeing dozens of dogs bubbling in the fryer before being dressed with that secret sauce. Even hot dog purists from NYC admit these loaded wieners are worth the trek to Paterson.
Holsten’s Ice Cream And The Sopranos’ Final Scene
I wasn’t even planning to eat when I visited Holsten’s in Bloomfield – I just wanted to see where *The Sopranos* filmed its famous final scene. But the moment I sat in that historic booth (yes, THE booth), the nostalgic charm of this 1939 ice cream parlor and grill worked its magic on me.
Their homemade ice cream comes in classic flavors that taste like childhood summers – I recommend the black raspberry. The sundaes arrive in tall glass dishes with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry, exactly as they should. Their onion rings – which Tony Soprano ordered in that final scene – are crispy, greasy perfection.
The wood-paneled walls, vintage booths, and classic soda fountain transport you to simpler times. Holsten’s proves that sometimes the most meaningful food pilgrimages aren’t about cutting-edge cuisine but about experiencing a genuine slice of Americana worth crossing state lines for.
Italian Hot Dogs At Jimmy Buff’s – A Newark Original
“What exactly IS an Italian hot dog?” I asked my Jersey friend who insisted we visit Jimmy Buff’s in West Orange. Minutes later, I was holding what looked like a small loaf of Italian bread stuffed with not one but TWO hot dogs, plus bell peppers, onions, and potatoes – all fried together in a magical concoction that defies conventional hot dog logic.
Created in Newark in 1932, this monster sandwich is Jersey’s unique contribution to hot dog culture. The bread (called “pizza bread” though it has nothing to do with pizza) is specially designed to soak up the flavors without falling apart. The potatoes are the unexpected star – crispy outside, fluffy inside, and seasoned to perfection.
Jimmy Buff’s original location might have moved, but their technique remains unchanged. I’ve seen sophisticated Manhattan foodies reduced to joyful, sauce-stained messes after encountering this Newark original. No regrets!