Italian hot dogs are a special dish from New Jersey that became famous thanks to Jimmy “Buff” Racioppi and his wife, Mary. Back in the early 1930s, Mary made the first Italian hot dogs and served them to Jimmy and his friends. The hot dogs were such a hit with everyone that they decided to open a restaurant called “Jimmy Buffs” to share the recipe with more people.
What makes these hot dogs different is the toppings. Depending on where you get them, Italian hot dogs in New Jersey are either served in Italian rolls or “pizza bread,” which is a round loaf similar to muffuletta bread, but made with pizza dough. The bread is filled with hot dogs, fried potatoes, onions, and bell peppers. You can grill the hot dogs like in this version, but you can also steam, sauté, air-fry, or deep-fry them—whatever you prefer.
The Origins Of Italian Hot Dog Recipe
The Italian hot dog is believed to have originated in Newark, New Jersey, in the 1930s. It was created by James “Jimmy Buff” Racioppi, who ran a small restaurant and began selling this sandwich to his customers. His recipe quickly gained popularity and has since become a New Jersey staple, often referred to simply as a “Newark-style hot dog.”
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