Tommy's Hot Dogs — Restaurant in Carteret

I work around the corner from this little joint, and never really knew much about it... the hours, quality of food, etc. I've always just driven past it and opted for another place to eat. I started hearing some things about the place... some good, some bad... so it started to peak my interest. I decided to look online and check out some reviews on the place and I was shocked to see how many great reviews this "hot dog place" had. I'm a fan of hot dogs, but don't eat them often...so I started kicking around the idea to grab a few coworkers and try this place.

So I drop in with some friends for hot dogs and as expected, the place appears to be a little "unkempt"... but i knew that from the pictures I saw online. The signs on the outside and inside (menu signs) all look like they need to be replaced or repainted. This didn't bother me really... since I was there to eat hot dogs, not menu signs. The staff consisted of two guys, one older than the other. One had to be Tommy, the other maybe his father? Both were very friendly and immediately started taking orders. I looked around the place and it felt somewhat retro... pics of Chuck Wepner, Rocky Marciano, oldies singers, etc. I ordered two chili and mustard dogs, no drink. The price was very fair @ $4.25... and I paid cash since they do not accept credit cards. In fact, I didn't even see a cash register. I believe the change I received came out of a drawer of some sort. The guys joked and one (oldest guy) even did a little magic trick with the change he was giving me. If felt like I was at a local candy store back in my old neighborhood... back when I was around 8 years old. Nostalgic feel. My friends order their dogs, one got kraut/mustard, the other had two with the works and cheese fries. We drove back to the office and I couldn't wait to eat these hot dogs that I've been hearing about... at work and online. So... I head to my cubicle and dive in.

Upon inspection, the hot dogs were wrapped in foil, then in wax paper... with some regular sized napkins....which you never see anymore. The hot dogs smelled great, and i was ready to take the plunge. The dogs were FANTASTIC. Yes, they're just hot dogs, but if you haven't had one in a while, and you happen to grab them from Tommy's, you'll know what I mean. The hot dogs had a nice snap to them, and I believe they were Sabrett. The chili was a nice ground beef, with some kick/heat. The mustard was spicy, but not very hot. Buns were soft and fresh. The verdict was in, and it was quick. I'd be back.

Overall, this is a great spot if you don't mind a little joint that's rough around the edges. If you demand a Waldorf Astoria like restaurant appearance, this place is not for you. This is for true hot dog lovers, and adventurers who aren't afraid of street food. So if you're in town, and you're in the mood for some hot dogs, burgers, fries, chicken fingers, etc... give this place a shot.......

I was in the mood today for some hot dogs, and luckily for me I'm a Carteret local and the best place in Jersey for a classic dog is right in town here at Tommy's Hot Dogs. As always, Tommy didn't disappoint.

I've been coming to Tommy's since I was a kid. My friends and I would walk over after school for something to eat, and when a friend of mine was short of cash and didn't order anything, Tommy would give him a dog on the house. Nobody ever left hungry whenever we went to Tommy's for after-school lunch.

When I went today, I decided to change up my usual order of an Italian hot dog and instead got two classic mustard, cooked onions, and sauerkraut. Tommy surprised me when he threw on some imported German mustard, and that's when he told me that his cooked onions are homemade after he threw them in on top. He topped it off with some standard sauerkraut and that's when I noticed that he had curry sauce which was also a German import. Of course, I had to order some fries after requesting that he squirt some of the fry sauce into a sauce dish on the side. Oh, and be sure to go unsalted on the fries, Tommy knows his food and unsalted is definitely the way to go with his fries, they're good as-is.

I don't have to tell you that the hot dogs were phenomenal. Tommy uses quality ingredients and at a fair price, and always has. Today was no different and I very much enjoyed them. As for the fries, let me tell you that I can tell Tommy has been doing this for a long time, as he packaged my to-go dish of curry sauce on top of the fries and in a paper bag, which warmed up the sauce for me on the way home. Fries were great, not too oily, and he'll even cook them to your preferred crispiness too. Curry sauce was fantastic and I'll be back...

Been away from town and Tommy's for a while, I moved, used to live down the street, would stop at Tommy's on my way home from school for a hot dog, now I am close to retirement age. Food was just like I remembered it, I am nostalgic for the old cart or the food truck that were Tommy's before moving into the building. It isn't the same but it is nicer standing inside in bad weather rather than in line outside at the truck, although some days the line can still be out the door. On this visit there a short line and as I sat outside enjoying my food there was a steady stream of people coming. This wasn't actually lunch time it was mid afternoon and they were still steady. As I mentioned I ate outside, there is tables just outside the door, an adjacent building for sitting in bad weather and small park across the street if you'd rather sit there. Don't let the looks fool you, this place is not fancy, no high tech electronics just some painted and hand written menu signs on the walls, and there are many options. Orders are taken on a pad not a point of sale system, it is a old style family food business, Some reviews called it an greasy spoon, whatever you call it the food has been and still is great. Give it a try, I like the italian hotdogs, or a hotdog with chilli and cooked onions, my grandmother would send me up for fish sandwiches on Fridays during lent. I am sure there is something for everyone on their list of choices. if you don't know the spot look carefully as the building was once the garage of the corner house before being turned into a kitchen, and can easily...