Texas Wiener or "Ripper" Appreciation Thread

[Cascarino's Pizzeria]

For those of you not from Northern NJ, this may take some explaining although I'm sure there are similar regional versions. One of the most popular forms of fast food in the area is a hot dog deep fried and served with chili sauce on top (hence the "Texas wiener" name) & a bun. Rippers go great with fries & gravy (wet fries - also served with chili, cheese or chopped onions on top. or all 4 if you're adventurous) and a Coke or milk shake (if the 5,000 calories in the dog & fries just wasn't enough). Much better than BK and McD's and they are Mom & Pop operations.

[Frieslander]

Some greek guy in Paterson invented the sauce in the 30's. It's not really a chilly sauce, too thin.

top 7 "texas wiener" joints (I don't think more than 7 still exist)

1. Hot Grill, Clifton
2. Goffle Grill, Hawthorne
3. Libby's, Paterson
4. Johnny & Hanges, Fairlawn
5. Fall's View Grill, 3 locations
6. Haledon Grill, Haledon
7. Clixie's, Hawthorne

Best deep-fried hot dog that doesn't serve "all-the-way" sauce:

Rutt's Hot, Clifton

That place is effing fantastic, and the atmosphere? Ridiculous.

[Cascarino's Pizzeria]

I like the Hot Grill as well. They have their own language there - "1 all the way 1."

Rutt's Hut was OK but the place itself is an abomination that needs de-lousing, napalm or both. The atmosphere turned my stomach, not the food. I can picture 2 foot long rats crawling out of the Passaic River, strolling across Rt. 21 and ordering some rippers for take-out.

[Frieslander]

No, Rutt's is caught in a time warp. I wouldn't change a thing.

I thought of 2 more all-the-way joints: River View East in Elmwood Park and Campus Grill in North Haledon. Throw in at 8 & 9!

[Footix]

Originally posted by Frieslander
No, Rutt's is caught in a time warp. I wouldn't change a thing.



Agreed. That joint is classic. I know a guy who drives up from Baltimore monthly for a couple rippers and a Molson draft.

After hitting Rutts a few times post-Metro match last year, I plan on making it a ritual this season.

[FormerJerseyGirl]

I'm a former Jersey Girl who grew up eating at Clixie's in Hawthorne. Clixie's has now closed! I found this out on a brief visit back to NJ. Does anyone know where I could find their "All-The-Way" sauce recipe? It was a chili type sauce totally pulverized and fantastic with chopped onions and a bit of mustard on a burger or hot dog. Other Texas Weiner places just don't cut it and I'd love to have a Clixie's again.

[The Double]

Some greek guy in Paterson invented the sauce in the 30's. It's not really a chilly sauce, too thin.

top 7 "texas wiener" joints (I don't think more than 7 still exist)

1. Hot Grill, Clifton
2. Goffle Grill, Hawthorne
3. Libby's, Paterson
4. Johnny & Hanges, Fairlawn
5. Fall's View Grill, 3 locations
6. Haledon Grill, Haledon
7. Clixie's, Hawthorne

Best deep-fried hot dog that doesn't serve "all-the-way" sauce:

Rutt's Hot, Clifton

That place is effing fantastic, and the atmosphere? Ridiculous.

The place I go to for non-all-the-way hot dogs is Hiram's, on Palisade Ave in Fort Lee. Fort Lee High Alum here, and since we got to go out to eat for lunch, Hiram's was our spot.

[Frieslander]

wow, this is an old thread...

look at me with my silly top 7 list!!

anyway, Clixie's closed a few months back (I made a mistake, they were actually located in Wyckoff). The original owner Clixie (that's a nickname for Clarence) died a few years ago and sounds like his kids didn't want to keep it going.

getting the recipe for their sauce would be very difficult. You'd have to find a relative I'd suspect.

[Frieslander]

The place I go to for non-all-the-way hot dogs is Hiram's, on Palisade Ave in Fort Lee. Fort Lee High Alum here, and since we got to go out to eat for lunch, Hiram's was our spot.

I've been to Callahan's across the street and didn't think much of it. If I get the chance I definately want to check it out.


One other thing.... Johnny and Hanges opened up a place in Atlantic City. I wonder how it's doing.

[Beerking]

For those of you not from Northern NJ, this may take some explaining although I'm sure there are similar regional versions. One of the most popular forms of fast food in the area is a hot dog deep fried and served with chili sauce on top (hence the "Texas wiener" name) & a bun. Rippers go great with fries & gravy (wet fries - also served with chili, cheese or chopped onions on top. or all 4 if you're adventurous) and a Coke or milk shake (if the 5,000 calories in the dog & fries just wasn't enough). Much better than BK and McD's and they are Mom & Pop operations.

It sound like a heart attack on a bun! :eek:

[The Double]

I've been to Callahan's across the street and didn't think much of it. If I get the chance I definately want to check it out.


One other thing.... Johnny and Hanges opened up a place in Atlantic City. I wonder how it's doing.

Callahan's closed it's Fort Lee location, mainly due to Hiram's. They're now opening up a bank there, which will make it the 3243243th bank in the Fort.