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    Jimmy Buff's

    3.9 (128 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:30 pm

    Order Jimmy Buff's Takeout or Delivery

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    JIMMY BUFF'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Jimmy Buff's

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    Casey S.

    Just had this for lunch today, I've never been to Kenilworth before, but its food has already impressed me. Food : I end up ordering an American hotdog, which was practically as good as Rutts Hut, which surprised me. They also had some amazing curly fries and sold C&C soda! Aesthetic : classic hot dog / burger spot. Simple and clean, nothing more. Service : I unfortunately, did not catch the name of the woman who worked up at front, but she was very nice and kind to every single person that walked in including myself. It's definitely the place that seems like a hometown favorite and I definitely intend on coming back here sometime in the future.

    Thomas L.

    I was in the neighborhood, and since I had been familiar with this place for a while, I decided to give it a try. I got the mixed sandwich called Matty's special with the works. It was good, it had all the different things in it. It came in a giant bread with tons of mixed meats, which are combined with various flavors (hot dog, Italian sausage, ham, cheese steak, etc.), topped with green peppers, potatoes, onions, etc. It was nice. I just ate most of the inside and some bread with a fork and a knife. I don't know how one will eat that whole sandwich in one sitting. The price of the sandwich was around $17, which is very reasonable for the amount of food provided. The person behind the counter provided me with good service and was friendly. The ambiance of the place was clean, but there wasn't much to mention in terms of decorations. They had some historical pictures of the place. Try it if you're looking for a nice Italian-style sandwich. I saw this on TV and others, and I finally got to try it; it was decent with good food. Satisfied.

    Gerald S.

    In the heart of downtown Kenilworth, NJ is Jimmy Buff's, a hot dog emporium originally from Newark that has been slinging popular sandwich sausages since 1932. So, although something of a drive from Bucks County, when the urge for a frankfurter struck, I chose Jimmy Buff's to scratch my itch. I love Italian hot dogs from my days in Trenton (Casino Dogs). It was on the menu, and that's where I went. The restaurant looked like a typical pizza shop; clean with tables and booths along the walls and ordering done at the cashier in back. But, no tomato pie here, just a long list of toppings for the dogs. I had a choice of one or two at the base of the creation, followed by a mix of sautéed onions and peppers, topped with a load of thin sliced potatoes grilled in XV olive oil. It was all stuffed into a pizza dough pita and wrapped in aluminum foil to hold the heat. Although the hot dog looked thinner than the Hebrew Nationals I have at home, and was deep fried rather than boiled, it was a tremendous delicious fun meal for a Saturday afternoon. The round coins of potato were slightly crisp on the outside and soft within, lightly salted and black peppered. Just excellent. The onion and pepper mix was pleasantly savory, although there should have been a better balance of the two. The hot dog itself was well garliced and had a good bite sound. Service was friendly and patient with my first visit decisions. Serena and Tom answered questions and engaged warmly with me. All in all, a strong and inviting first experience. But for the distance, I would become a regular.

    Treana A.

    If it's not broken don't change it!! They understand the concept and have been making the best Italian cheeseburger and hotdogs for years. Bread is always fresh and soft. Potatoes cooked well. Peppers and onions seasoned well. The guys there are amazing as well.

    chili
    Chris L.

    I've tried jimmy buff in east Hanover over 10 years ago. I didn't really like it because it's a big vat of oil cooking all the hot dogs, potatoes, and veggies. the bread soaks up all the oil and it's a big greasy mess. I tried this location with a work place associate so he can check it off his bucket list. the food was the same as experienced. it just not my type of food anymore. I have to watch my salt and cholesterol :( the guy taking the orders. he should try voice acting. if you know you know. CC accepted and bathroom is clean. plenty of street parking. if needed a big shared lot nearby.

    Chicken cheese steak Italian Style. It was so good!!
    Dionne M.

    This was my first time here and it was really good. The service was quick, and the food was seasoned well & big portions!!

    Mustard and kraut
    Craig S.

    They were out of spicy sausage so I took a pass on that. Got 2 normal dogs and they were good. Not DWD and no snap, but flavor was nice and the buns were super soft. Overall a decent dog when in the area.

    Double Italian Hot Dog
    Traci W.

    So I've been wanting to go to Jimmy buffs pretty much my whole life because my grandma talked about it all the time. She ate there growing up in the 30s and 40s all the way till the 70s when she moved away to Florida. She went to the original location in Newark, which I think is closed down. I finally found my way there. The restaurant was clean and They had a typical menu of hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken, fingers, fries, etc. We ordered an Italian dog and a double Italian dog with a side of onion rings and a cup of chili with cheese. The Italian hotdog is served in a roll made out of pizza dough topped with fried onions, peppers and potatoes. The bread was very soft, which was surprising because I expected it to be crusty on the outside like pizza, but it was still good. The hotdog was extremely tasty as it was fried and oil so you can't go wrong with anything fried of course! however, my dog was missing peppers. I only had a few onions and tons of potatoes. It was more like I was eating a potato sandwich with a little bit of hotdog and onions in it. My dad got peppers in his but he also thought there was way too many potatoes his and we both picked off quite a few potatoes. Onion rings we're good, large and crunchy. The chili was very uneventful. It tasted like hot dog chili that you get out of a can. The cheese was a slice of American cheese cut in half laid on top. Overall, the hotdog was tasty, but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to eat there again. Maybe in my grandma's day it was a lot better!

    Mike J.

    First time visitor to the Original Jimmy Buff. The originator of Italian Style sandwiches. Ok they say so. I do not know!!! But what I do know is if you want a really good Italian Hot sausage sandwich. Make your way to Jimmy buffs. The hot sausage was really favorable tasty. And you will find yourself wanting some more bread. The bread is soft and firm if you can understand what I am writing. To say you will not be disappointed is an understatement. The place is very clean,warm and welcoming. The counter lady was all smiles and friendly. Bathroom equally as clean. This is easy to get to off the parkway. Street parking in the front which at11:30am was easy to get. There is additional parking in the back. I'm very sure they need it at these prices. Definitely to be continued because I will be back.

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    10 days ago

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    Long time costumer, not happy with the different types of food not handy cap friendly

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    9 months ago

    Fabulous. Had the Italian Hot Dog Double, and an order of Zucchini sticks. So, I have lunch for tomorrow too.

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    5 years ago

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    Mike L.

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    1 year ago

    Just as I remember as a kid growing up in Newark best Italian hot dogs peepers and onions on that split roll

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    2 years ago

    Excellent stop for some great burgers and dogs. Cheese potatoes are out of this world!!! Great service and reasonable prices!

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    2 years ago

    Don't see what's the hype about. Wasn't horrible but wasn't spectacular either. I had the chili with cheese dog.

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great Italian Dog with Rick. Must go to if in the area, get the hot pepper relish on the side

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    Destination Dogs

    Destination Dogs

    4.5(1.3k reviews)
    15.0 mi
    $$

    I arrived in New Brunswick by train, which is to say I trusted the machinery of civilization to…read moredeliver me to lunch. It did. A short walk later, I found myself at Destination Dogs, a place I had seen in photographs that suggested capaciousness. In reality, it is smaller.  This is not a complaint, just an observation.  I remember once hearing something about the contents of small packages. At 12:30 the place was full. Packed with humanity and appetite. I was seated quickly, as if someone had anticipated my hunger in advance. From the bar came the sound of construction crews discussing their midday rituals. Apparently this is where they come on Fridays, to repair themselves while they repair the city. It explained everything. Service was swift and attentive, a minor miracle given the crowd. I began with a Scotch egg, an item that seemed to have wandered in from another story entirely. I ordered it for that reason. I had always imagined my first Scotch egg would be eaten in an English pub under low ceilings and older regrets. Instead, here it was. Perfectly crisp, warm, and generous. The universe does not ask for permission. Then came the main event. The menu is an atlas of hot dogs. Domestic. International. Proteins in tube form arranged like possibilities. There is even an invitation to build your own, which I accepted. I attempted to recreate a favorite from Crif Dogs, a thing called the Spicy Redneck. Bacon wrapped dog. Pickled jalapenos. Coleslaw. Simple in theory. Destination Dogs improved upon it in every way that matters. The bacon crisped with purpose. The jalapenos spoke clearly. The coleslaw behaved. The hot dog itself seemed proud to be there. All of this, plus a 16 ounce beer, cost me about twenty five dollars with tip. A small price for order in a chaotic universe. Five stars. Not because perfection exists, but because this comes close enough to make the argument.

    Listen, I have no real complaints. The food was great. The service was great. The atmosphere was…read moregood. But I am a fan of constructive criticism. I had the Gandolfi. It was delish but it could be improved with more or larger pepperonis. Also the sausage to bun ratio was off. Either make the sausage bigger or the bun smaller. Bottom line, you'll enjoy your food and beer.

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    Tommy's Italian Sausage & Hot Dogs

    Tommy's Italian Sausage & Hot Dogs

    4.2(104 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $

    Cash Only. I'm stressing this because on my most recent visit it was a major issue with a couple…read moreahead of me acting shocked when they were given the total (almost $30) and they only had $3 in singles. (And that ATM machine at the corner? It looks like it'll not only steal your identity but your soul as well.) My last visit (2023-ish) I tried their 'combo' (one hot dog, one sausage) which was... okay. But when they're slinging a double Italian hot dog? They're firing on all cylinders. Tommy's is not shy to pile a wicked amount of grub into that pizza bread. The hot dogs kind of get lost under a mountain of deep-fried and oily (but delicious) sliced spuds. (I do wish they weren't so stingy with the peppers and onions to really balance out the meal.) The 'Holy Trinity' when it comes to Italian hot dogs in North Jersey is a no-brainer... Dickie Dee's, Jimmy Buff's and Tommy's. (For me - no one comes close to Dickie Dee's but my one kid said Tommy's was his [current] fave.) As for that couple that came cashless? A good Samaritan behind me pulled out a wad of cash (it's not wise to pull out a fistful of cash anywhere you go but it's ESPECIALLY not wise when you're in the rough and tumble streets of Elizabeth, let's be real) and after swapping Venmo information everything was a-okay. Take-out/to-go only. Parking is atrocious. Guy behind the glass - always aces. (Oh, and... cash only!)

    About to hop a flight to NOLA from Newark so I hit up Tommy's Italian Sausage in Elizabeth. Wanted…read moreto also hit Jerry's but he closed the gate as I was walking up...maybe next time. I've had the sausage/dog combo before that's like an Italian Dog and I loved it but I had never just had some good old doggies here so I grabbed a couple. Went with 1 with red onions and mustard and 1 with chili, diced onion, and mustard. I love red onions, just a big nostalgia thing to my youth getting dogs in Coney Island at Nathan's. These onions were tasty. The chili wasn't what I was expecting but the crunch from the diced onion was welcomed. The rolls tasted fresh and the dogs had a fantastic snap and delicious flavor. No surprise here - Tommy's - Didn't Suck!

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    Tommy's Italian Sausage & Hot Dogs
    Tommy's Italian Sausage & Hot Dogs
    Tommy's Italian Sausage & Hot Dogs - Exterior

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    Exterior

    Jimmy Buff's - hotdog - Updated June 2026

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