The Newark hot dog, also known as an Italian hot dog, is one of several frankfurter formations unique to New Jersey. (See also Texas weiner and ripper.) It is a deep-fried all-beef tube steak—usually two; few customers order a single— inserted into half of a capacious circular bun known locally as pizza bread. The bread is sturdy and absorbent and can be squeezed open like a pita pocket to hold not only the hot dog(s) but also sautéed onions and peppers and a heap of potato chunks that have been either deep-fried or sautéed. Newark dog shops tend not to drain any of the toppings; they are forked directly from the griddle or frying cauldron onto the hot dogs and they in turn are dressed with the diner’s choice of ketchup, mustard, marinara sauce, or fire-hot onion relish.
James Racioppi, proprietor of Jimmy Buff’s hot dog restaurants, believes his grandparents, James and Mary Racioppi, originated Newark hot dogs during the Depression as a snack to serve friends who came to their North Ward apartment to play cards each week. “After a while, people started coming just to eat,” Mr. Racioppi says. “So in 1932 they opened a store at 14th and 9th to sell the sandwiches. That was the beginning.” Today at least a dozen different places in and around Newark sell the distinctive dog; most also offer Italian sausage sandwiches and some offer dog-and-sausage combos as well as meat-free sandwiches that contain only vegetables and potatoes.
James Racioppi of Jimmy Buff’s shows off his specialty, the Newark hot dog.
A double Newark hot dog, aka Italian hot dog, is a full meal in a bun.