Because I am as mature as a 12-year-old boy, I tried to work the word "wiener" into this post as often as I possibly could
First thing’s first: I’ve done a little bit of webpage house keeping. Apparently, Internet Explorer was rendering my webpage incorrectly again. It seems to do this once a year or so. So I’ve moved the link to my RSS atom feed to the top of the page. I figure that this might help people notice it, too. Which is to say, in case you’ve missed it, you can add my feed to your reader via the URL http://www.phoebeeating.com/atom.xml.
Now, on to more important stuff! Wieners!
This New Years the Etzel clan and I instituted a new tradition, one I’d like to call the Annual Jersey Cuisine New Years Etzelstravaganza, which is to say, we ate wieners. Lots of wieners. Three kinds, in fact!
It might seem strange that we’re so into cheap wieners, especially me. People are always mistaking me for a vegetarian. I’m not sure why, particularly as there’s a huge wiener at the top of my webpage.
I grew up down the road from a traditional Jersey wiener joint, the Red Tower II, which (I’ve learned via the appropriately named dad-in-law Frank) serves Plainfield style dogs, with a meat-based chili, onions, and yellow mustard. Some of my earliest, and best, memories take place there. I knew it was love with the hubby when he was excited about taking walks there with me to eat wieners early in our relationship. We also took road trips to places like White Manna. How could I not love him for that?
The union of two wiener-loving Jersey families is a fortuitous thing, a reason to celebrate. So this New Years, we celebrated, indeed!
Frank arrived on New Years Day we three types of dogs: Plainfield-style, from Manny’s Texas Wiener Weiner in Springfield; Paterson-style, from Teddy’s in . . . Paterson; and a wild-card wiener ripper from Rutt’s Hut in Clifton. And we washed it all down with icey cream from Guernsey Crest.
The difference between a Plainfield and a Paterson wiener lies in the chili. Paterson-style has a goopy, thin, sauce; Plainfield-style a drier, thicker, and spicier chili. Rutt’s Hut serves something different entirely, a veggie-based topping slop. Different, but nonetheless delicious.
The Etzel brothers, as native North Jerseyans, preferred either the Rutt’s ripper or the Paterson-style dog. (The Etzel brothers, having celiac disease also, sadly, had to forgo the buns).
Alas, I am my father’s daughter, and will always be a Plainfieldian at heart. I preferred Manny’s wieners. Crispy dog; dry, spicy chili. Perfection. On a bun.
Dessert wasn’t so bad, either. We had two flavors to choose from: mint chocolate chip, and the most amazing black raspberry ice cream that’s ever passed between my lips.
Now, let’s see if you’ve been listening. Can you name the wieners below?
Heh. Wieners.
Phoebe
Phoebe is a 20-something writer who lives in New York State with her husband and cat. She is a dork, not a geek or a nerd.
Her debut novel, Starglass, will be released from Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers in Summer 2013.
4 comments
OM NOM NOM NOM NOMRutt's Hut + Paterson Style 4 EVER.
I enjoy your foodie site
I was thinking of doing something similar with Las Vegas, but it would be too expensive if I wrote for free 
Hey Corry, thanks! It actually isn't totally a food-related site (the URL started as a joke, even though I DO love food!), but it's enough of one that I often feel like a dolt for not bringing my camera just about everywhere I eat. You're in Vegas now? Plenty of delicious food there!
Day-um, this post made me miss Red Tower. Haven't been there in years and years.