Newark-Style Italian Dog
Deep-fried hot dog served on pizza bread with fried potatoes, onions, and peppers, a New Jersey specialty.
The Newark-Style Italian Dog is a New Jersey original, first created in the 1930s by Jimmy Buff’s in Newark. It features a deep-fried hot dog stuffed into a halved Italian pizza bread roll, then piled high with sautéed onions, bell peppers, and crispy fried potatoes. Some versions also include mustard or ketchup, though purists stick to the basics. This style reflects the Italian-American roots of the region and the blue-collar, hearty food culture of Northern Jersey. Over time, it’s become a local icon, with numerous offshoots and rival spots claiming to make the best version. The Italian Dog isn’t elegant—but it’s deeply satisfying, greasy in the best way, and packed with flavor. It’s not just a meal—it’s a full plate in a bun.
Authentic Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 All-beef hot dogs (Natural casing preferred (Sabrett or Best Provisions))
- 2 Pizza bread rolls (Round Italian bread with hole in middle, or substitute submarine rolls)
- 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes (Cut into 1/4-1/2 inch slices)
- 2 Green bell peppers (Sliced into strips)
- 2 large Yellow onions (Sliced)
- 1/2 cup Olive oil (For frying - traditional uses lots of oil)
- as needed Yellow mustard (Traditional condiment)
- as needed Ketchup (Optional)
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cut pizza bread into quarters to create pockets. If using sub rolls, hollow out center.
- Heat cast iron skillet with 4 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Fry potato slices until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side. Season with salt and set aside.
- In same pan, sauté peppers and onions until tender and lightly caramelized. Set aside.
- Split hot dogs lengthwise and fry cut-side down until crispy, or deep fry whole dogs.
- Slice pizza bread quarters to create deeper pockets.
- Spread mustard inside bread pockets.
- Add 1-2 hot dogs to each pocket.
- Pile on generous amounts of fried peppers, onions, and crispy potatoes.
- Optional: Add ketchup. Serve immediately while everything is hot and crispy.
- This is Newark's 1932 original - a full meal in pizza bread!
Related Styles (kinda)
4 similar styles
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