Great hot dogs.Chili Dogs. Awesome service and good rates . Ir was delicious and and tasty. The whole family will enjoy the values. read more

I always pass this place on my way home from NYC and finally decided to stop by one rainy day. Looked closed but I could smell the french fries from outside. I ordered something simple: Chili dog w/onions and a side of fries. I wasn't really expecting much, but after the first few bites I was blown away. The quality really stands out. The hot dogs were great. Worth the stop. Owner seemed cool too. read more

Tommy's Hot Dogs - three hot dogs and french fries - Hot Dogs Near Me - Carteret, New Jersey

I love hotdogs. My sister found this place from an advertisement and we decided to check it out. Since the outside appearance is what you'll notice first, let me just say, it looks dated and old in the absolute BEST way possible. You instantly know probably nothing has changed from when they first opened and you're getting the original recipes. The owner, Jimmy (son of the namesake owner, Tommy), was there to greet us. What a guy. Seriously. This man could not have been kinder. And FUNNY. We liked him immediately. He was patient when we were deciding what we wanted, and he opened up dialogue with us and the other local regulars who came in. We not only learned about his family history, but we got to learn more about the town, too. Always an added bonus for us as we like meeting new people and hearing their stories. My sister got a hotdog with onions and Jimmy suggested I get the chili, cheese, and potatoes hotdog. As someone who loves making chili, I appreciated they make their chili in-house! We also ordered fries to share. Dang these dawgs were GOOD. I loved my hotdog. It was cooked perfectly - and those potatoes on top? Wow, so good. Jimmy is a gem. And Tommy's Hot Dogs is a small business worthy of supporting. I ventured there all the way from the east end of Long Island and would happily do it again and again just to say hi to Jimmy and get another hotdog! read more

Tommy's Hot Dogs - Hot Dogs Near Me - Carteret, New Jersey

My wife and I stopped here while heading off Long Island and literally couldn't have been happier. This place was incredible. The food, service and the friendliness was better than any restaurant chain you'll ever go to. It's the perfect little hole in the wall and I can't begin to express how happy we are that we went there. 11/10 because 10/10 isn't enough. read more

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A fantastic experience in terms of food and atmosphere. The hot dogs are cooked perfectly and the chili was homemade and a great add on to the dog with raw onions. Real strips of bacon on top of the dogs. Burger homemade as well. True authentic old school location. The place we should all frequent and support. Owner-operator was a great guy. A mom and pop place great hot dog place that is true New Jersey. read more

I come from rural Michigan and so I know dirt road Americana food fresh from a greasy spitting grill. I know a classic hot dog from living in Chicago in supposed seedy neighborhoods for 15 years of my life. I've stopped in diners and mom n' pop dives along long highway drives in Indiana to Tennessee, so a dirty spoon establishment doesn't concern me... until Tommy's. It was late summer and I wanted simple order of two chili dogs with onions. Again, simple right? No, readers it was anything but. The decor you can ignore but the candy still up on shelves could easily be from 1990 something with an expiration dates to match. Yes much Catholic Jesus paraphernalia, so if you ever veer on the "alternative" or lgbtq side of style, consider a friend to go with you or be ready to answer many a questions having nothing to do with the menu. Lastly, if you choose to wear a mask for your own immunocompromised safety, be prepared to be badgered about it with a series of inquiries. Again, let me clarify, I've for whatever reason, geography or long ass drive having to pee, limited find but starvation have had a slurry of restaurant experiences where either I am or my comment has the sensation of, did that feel a lil' racist to you? That's just the texture of being in the skin I'm in, so by no means am I squeamish and even some prejudices can't touch some downright dynamite yummy food. Emphasis on this sentence is the term, 'some.' In any case after confusion about onions and cheese instead mistaking the order with potatoes, the chili dogs were ready. We ate them excitedly and in big anticipation. The dog had no snap. The chili was salty and seemingly one note and the bun was regular. It was a nice chili dog. I think nostalgia is easily 75% of approval at this restaurant and I don't think it has anything to do with lack of cleanliness disguised as character. The cook and owner Tommy is nice enough and though confused with my order, bagged the hot dogs within 10-12 minutes. The fries were good but not spectacular or deeply crispy. I don't have my childhood memory to pluck the irreverent joy from this experience. I have real time appetite and the food served. The dilapidated space, the okay fast food, and the strange inquiries weren't worthwhile for me and that's okay. Not all joys are for everybody. Really, please, more hot dogs for you! I insist. read more

Simply said, I've been coming here for 55 years, back when Tommy pushed the small hot dog cart across the street to the park in the 60's. I've had hot dogs in NY, Chicago, all of CA and most other states, some bigger, fancier, all more expensive, but not one more tastier. Mustard, chili, cooked onions are addictive while Italian Hot Dog or sausage, pepper, onions at lunch will make you forget about dinner while fighting your desire to want to take a nap! While Tommy and his wife have passed on, their son Jimmy runs the show now with his observant, dry sense of humor style and don't be surprised if he remembers your visits, even if only once a year. Thank you to the Lane family for 62 years of wonderful grub and dedicated service. read more

Really good prices and so are the hot dogs .. and the prices are really good, so is the service they have everything for hot dogs

So my co-workers and I were told about this little hole in the wall in Carteret that was supposed to have great hot dogs - we took a chance and shot down the NJ Turnpike for lunch. When we arrived two thoughts immediately popped into my head...first "no way I'm eating in this crap hole" and second, "hey jackass, don't judge a book by its cover." The place is less than a mile off Exit 12 so we got there pretty quickly, parked across the street and when we step through the door we actually stepped into 1952. I swear, I felt like I was in a movie and we walked into some out of he way roadside shack. Three of the four people working here must have been in their 80s and have probably been running the joint the same way since it opened...and cooking the same way as well. Seriously, there is no cash register and the guy simply writes down the prices of what you ordered and adds them up on paper. It's hard to put into words what this place looked like inside, but suffice it to say that other than the food and soda, nothing was new-I bet some of the photos and signs have been up for 40 years. While this place sells all kinds of lunch fare, I was here for the hot dogs. I ordered one with chili and one with chili and cheese...but I also got suckered into a sausage sandwich with onion and peppers and a little marinara. After I ordered I looked behind the old guy taking my order to see that they were making their own chili...not from a can, they were cooking the ground beef in a large iron skillet! Are you kidding me? Homemade chili in a little shack like this? When I bit into my first dog and it had that natural casing snap and a hearty chili flavor I knew I was hooked. The second dog with chili and cheese was even better, but the sausage sandwich was just ok - great toppings, but the roll was huge and really overwhelmed the guts of the sandwich. My co-workers were all in agreement, this place is going into the rotation...even if it IS in Carteret and a 20+ minute drive from work. 4.5 stars, pretty much because of my sausage sandwich-good but not great. Maybe my next trip will bump it up to five stars! These dogs were THAT good!! FYI...cash only. read more

Tommy's Hot Dogs - a sign for tommy's hot dogs - Hot Dogs Near Me - Carteret, New Jersey

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First time here after reading great reviews. I must say this place is the best dirty water dogs by far. He makes everything fresh to order. The chili was out of this world. We had burgers and hot dogs and can't wait to go back to try the cheesesteaks. The owner was so polite and made sure you were happy with everything which in my opinion is something you don't see anymore. Can't wait to eat here again read more

Tommy's Hot Dogs - Chili cheese - Hot Dogs Near Me - Carteret, New Jersey

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The very best- A classic spot like none other. The California cheeseburger. The chili hot dogs. The nachos. So good.

Great food Service was quick Not great ambiance but who needs ambiance when the food is good! read more

It's definitely a Mom, Pop and Son spot... place is retro and I loved every bite of whatever I ate... Everything looks and taste home made

I've been going here for as long as I've been going to Jerry's, which means early 70's when my best friend's father was at Engine 3 on Newpoint Road and we'd go there and the firemen would send us to Jerry's for hot dogs. I usually just get potatoes in a cup here to go with my Jerry's hot dogs, but occasionally I'll get a sausage with peppers and onions and potatoes. read more

Tommy's Hot Dogs - Hot dogs and yoohoo from Jerry's; potatoes from Tommy's - Hot Dogs Near Me - Carteret, New Jersey

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Awesome place. Been going there over 60 yrs. Grew up down the street, moved and still drive there for their hot dogs.

I admit that even though I grew up in Carteret, I haven't been here in years. The last times I've been in Carteret were on Mondays when Tommy's is closed. That being said, this was the go to place for hot dogs. I remember when he had truck in the small park across from where he is now located. I never really cared for the Italian dogs, but his hot dogs were the best I've ever had. I've lived in Chicagoland and they have good dogs. You can pretty much replicate them at home but not Tommy's. Italian onions (cooked onions on his current menu), kraut and mustard, and chili were my go to. I doubt he has changed the recipe much, but those were a weekly lunch. I kept score for Tommy Lane at the bowling alley almost forty years ago for $.50 a game. He was a great bowler. My youngest will be in NJ this week and I told him to check out Tommy's for the best hot dogs. read more

One of the best hot dogs I've ever had in my life, only made better by the rush of adrenaline from not knowing if you will leave with devastating food poisoning (in the best way possible). Stepping into Tommy's hot dogs is unlike anything you've probably ever experienced. There were no gloves, missing teeth, several characters that showed up, and my friend got handed a rosary. This place should be designated a historic NJ landmark for future generations. I ordered an italian double dog, and it was INCREDIBLE. This family does one thing and they do it well. The chili, bread, hot dog, toppings all melded together into one of the bites I've ever had in my life. From beginning to end, Tommy's Hot Dogs is a gem of an experience you absolutely cannot miss. read more

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The perfect dirty greasy spoon you can ask for. Doesn't look like anything has changed since this joint opened. Luckily for them that's a good thing. Delicious hotdogs with even more delicious toppings. read more

Tommy's Hot Dogs - Pure Heaven - Hot Dogs Near Me - Carteret, New Jersey

Wonderful hot dogs!! I stopped in because I didn't want the usual fast food fair. I had one with mustard and krout and a second one cheese and potato's. The dogs were cooked to perfection.. he didn't take cards but allowed me to hit my car for change to pay my tab. He's a great guy.. I'd stop again if I'm ever in the area again!! read more

You want old school hotdogs with homemade chili and other sweet stuff? Come here. You get a little freaked out about a slightly sketchy place that clearly hasn't been updated in decades? Go to Burger King across the street. Chili was great, had it on a dog and on fries. The kraut was tasty and sweet. Ate outside on a rickety picnic table, and it was as it should be. Oh, it's not on Grant, it's on Herbert; the 3rd side to the little park. read more

Tommy's Hot Dogs - Dog with kraut and onions, dog with chili and onions, chili cheese fries. So worth it. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Carteret, New Jersey

This was a great place to grab a quick bite to eat. Exceeded my expectations, and it was great to watch the owner cook! Can't wait to come back and get a hotdog again! read more

Best hotdogs in town when it comes to Carteret . Well worth the drive and even the cheese steaks are amazing I must say as well .

This is a TRUE AMERICAN mom n pop spot. Foam plates and plastic forks will help you indulge into a messy pile of cheese fries (which were great) and a hot dog with just the right snap. The exterior is a bit rustic but don't be deceived from this swell hole in the wall. Owner is very friendly and funny. Cheap prices and locally owned, good for a quick eat. read more

Tommy's Hot Dogs - Italian Hot Dog Fries & Cheese - Hot Dogs Near Me - Carteret, New Jersey

A hidden gem! Don't knock it till you try it! Quick, hilarious, service at a long standing family business. (Over 57 years!) The chili cheese dogs with cooked onions, are my absolute favorite! The flavors are spot on! Take the kids out for some "to go" and enjoy eating at the local waterfront park that has miniature golf! Keep up the good work! read more

In Jersey for the weekend, local hotdog place throwback dive joint worth the stop.a blue collar spot enjoy the chili dogs.drivers recommendation in & out read more

Tommy's Hot Dogs - a hot dog and french fries - Hot Dogs Near Me - Carteret, New Jersey

Best place in town for hot dogs and the small homegrown atmosphere is always present here I've been eating here for 15 plus years and it's always a great experience every time read more

Been going here for years , if you want a dog get the chili"mustard" pepper onion potato.

Cheap eats and great hotdogs. The owner is a very nice guy to and makes you feel welcomed

Grew up eating here. It's one of the best hole-in-the-wall food spots I've ever been to. The hotdogs are some of the best I've ever had, and their burgers and cheessteaks are amazing too. I love the dive atmosphere and I hope it never changes. read more

I worked for a company that did business in Carteret. So, I was lucky enough to find this place. Tommy's is a dying establishment in the USA. I mean that in a sad way. This place just screams early Americana. The food is never 5 stars but it isn't meant to be. This is the kinda place you share with your kids. Please stop here and be part of the history of tommy's. read more

Looks are deceiving. Walking in I was pretty nervous. The place has been around since 1962. They literally haven't changed a thing since then lol. But me and my bf both got double Italian hotdogs and they were huge, very yummy. The owner and his son operate the spot. They informed us that they make everything from scratch so like no can chili and stuff like that. Definitely a cool little spot to grab a bite. Prices are great! read more

Oh, c'mon, what's a little dysentery among friends? You're a tough Yelper. You skate behind buses. You order food out of nondescript trucks. Hell, you'd eat anywhere if it meant a having great meal. And it's for these reasons that you need to get your butt over to Carteret and get yourself a chili-cheese dog at Tommy's the next time you're riding up or down the Turnpike. Ironically, I had only been to Tommy's once before in my life, and it was in Summer 1991. I was working a job in construction at the time and was asked to drive a truckload of materials up from the slums of downtown Trenton to the slightly less-gloomy confines of Carteret. Before I left, one of the guys on the job told me I absolutely had to try a couple of dogs at this little ramshackle hut called Tommy's right in Carteret. Back then there were no smartphones, no GPS, no Yelp... nothing other than a few hastily-scrawled directions on a dirty piece of paper. But it was all I needed to find my way to Tommy's, located roughly 2 miles off of Exit 12 on the Turnpike. I can't recall much today, though I do remember telling everyone they were some goddamn good dogs. And with the rest of the 90's being mostly a hard-partying blur, my memory of Tommy's eventually faded away. Until the other day. It had been a long time since I had been stuck in such dreadful turnpike traffic; the kind so bad that I literally considered abandoning my car and walking. But ironically for me this would be the one time that I didn't check traffic in advance or fire up my GPS before attempting to drive into work late one Wednesday morning. It was just after Exit 11 that my bladder decided it was minutes from erupting, and panic set in. I managed to pull into the shoulder and drive all the way up to Exit 12 with just seconds to spare. For the record, I never get off at Exit 12. Truth be told, few people ever get off at Exit 12 because this is the exit for Carteret and there is absolutely no reason for anyone to willingly travel into Carteret. But that's all different now. Because after emptying my bladder at the nearby McDonald's, I decided to hit up the Yelp to see if I could find the name of that magical hot dog place I could just barely recall from Summer 1991. And sure enough, there it was: Tommy's Hot Dogs. I drove the extra half mile down the road and found street parking right away. The little ramshackle hut was as run down as ever, and the nice little couple inside appeared to have aged appropriately for it being 23 years later. I tried my best to ignore the interior conditions of the place, focusing solely on the delicious, greasy aroma of meat hanging in the air. Scores of pictures of Jesus and the Virgin Mary adorning the walls and countertops strangely soothed my fears of dying from whatever I was about to intake into my system. "One chili cheese dog, and one dog with grilled onions, peppers, fried potatoes, and mustard, please." The nice man and woman acknowledged my order, and two minutes later, my dogs were ready. I paid, walked outside, and then retreated into a somewhat scary, secondary structure containing picnic tables sheltered from the outside elements. Roughly five minutes after that, I realized I was indeed sitting in hot dog heaven, because these were two of the most delicious hot dogs I have ever eaten. In terms of this kind of food, this is as pure and perfect as it gets. Tommy's is the real deal. Words can't really do it justice. You just have to experience it first hand. So here's my tip. Everyone drives past Exit 12 at least a few times a year. Next time you're passing through, drive the two or so miles just past the tollbooth and treat yourself to Tommy's. No one's looking. No one's gonna tell. Go hog wild and gorge yourself on these heavenly links and their even-more-heavenly toppings. (And be sure to bring some Pepsid for the ride home.) History is being written here. Enjoy it while you still can! read more

Best hotdogs anywhere!!! If you go here for the 1st time you'll think what I did. Is this place open? It looks like it haven't been touched in decades, it's barely noticeable until you see an old Sabrett umbrella, but if there was ever a place that emphasizes "Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover" it's this place. I was inside talking to the owner, his dad started the business with a pushcart, when he mentioned that he makes everything homemade I was just a tad skeptical because there is something about the Sabrett onions and sauerkraut that I love, but I can honestly say his blows the Sabrett stuff away!!! Try the chili dog too, OUTSTANDING!!!! Definitely check this place out!! read more

The previous reviews nail it. Oh boy is this place rundown and off the beaten path. A hot dog shack on a suburban side street, nothing more. Some picnic benches on the lawn are your only option for dining in but don't focus on the decor or motif, the grill is the real deal. The hot dogs have the classic snap to the casing and the perfect amount of juiciness. The Italian hot dog with grilled onions and hash browns on a hero roll is a gut buster and absolutely delicious. A mile off the turnpike and a vast step up from any of the rest stop offerings you will find there read more

Perfect hot dogs and fries. Friendly service from the owner. Sad I don't live closer or I'd be here on a regular basis. Thanks for the cupcakes!! read more

I love this place been here once and I think about it all the time. Homemade awesome service Love the people and food. If your driving though NJ or you live here it's a must go. So awesome read more

The burgers are good and the hot dog fir just one person! And cheap 5 burgers 2 hot dogs and 5 drinks for 30 dollars! The guy is really nice and u can freely talk to him and no vacancies needed for kids or adults! read more

Good old fashioned hot dogs. Great Chili and cheese dogs. A little of an eye soar when you walk in but dogs are great.

Tommy's I as the pre- eminent hotdog establishment in New Jersey. End of story. Anyone giving less than 5 star is wrong. This I a the first "restaurant " I bring my family when I come home. read more

So I finally was able to stop in I just got the chilly cheese fries ( trying to watch my figure lol). Yes it's a mom/pop little restaurant. My cousin said I smelled like I've been flipping burgers when I came back out to the car. Any who the chilly cheese fries were good. The fries were crispy cause I don't like no soggy fries your heard. When I lived in Michigan the Coney Island restaurants were known for this. It took me back. It came to like $5 and some change. For the amount it was a very small portion. Also they only except cash I had to run and get cash from shop rite. So my fries were done before I went to get cash. I was expecting for them to be soggy when I got back but like I said no soggy fries over here Good experience if I go back I would see how much more for a larger portion with my greedy self. read more