Thursday Thread: Ketchup-less rippers and other childhood food memories.
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Photo: Bill Doyle - NJ1015.com
Hot Dog Johnny’s is a longtime roadside stand in Buttzville, NJ (yeah, you read that right) serving up the best hot dogs, deep-fried in peanut oil (a.k.a. rippers, it’s a Jersey thing), my mouth is literally watering, right now.
My daughter’s future MIL and I were chatting while touring a possible wedding venue when the smell of grilled food got us Jonesing for a “good” hot dog… like the ones we’d get as kids… from Hot Dog Johnny’s.
My parents would always stop during our road trips to Pennsylvania and order a couple of “dawgs” with everything: onions, mustard, and a pickle, that’s it — you could ask for ketchup on your hot dog, just not in Jersey.
How about you? What are some of your childhood food memories that take you back?
Honestly, every type of junk or fast food tasted better then. Maybe because it was just processed, vs ultra-processed? Or maybe because it wasn't something you got that often? LIke I remember my dance teacher handing out fun-sized Snickers once a month. It was something you only got on Halloween if you were lucky. Some homes handed out a nickel, one tiny Tootsie Roll. or a piece of Brach's hard candy.
I never was a McDonald's fan, even though I grew up in Des Plaines near the original location. I remember when, like in '83, they moved a few blocks to build one with a drive-thru, which was an amazing concept. But we mostly went there for ice cream cones in the summer. For food, I preferred Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips, or Brown's Chicken — because I really thought theirs tasted better, and I loved my bright, yellow T-shirt that said it.
Campbell’s SpaghettiOs with Franks. Basically canned spaghetti with cut up hot dogs. A plate of pure sodium and carbs. Anyone?
Honestly, every type of junk or fast food tasted better then. Maybe because it was just processed, vs ultra-processed? Or maybe because it wasn't something you got that often? LIke I remember my dance teacher handing out fun-sized Snickers once a month. It was something you only got on Halloween if you were lucky. Some homes handed out a nickel, one tiny Tootsie Roll. or a piece of Brach's hard candy.
I never was a McDonald's fan, even though I grew up in Des Plaines near the original location. I remember when, like in '83, they moved a few blocks to build one with a drive-thru, which was an amazing concept. But we mostly went there for ice cream cones in the summer. For food, I preferred Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips, or Brown's Chicken — because I really thought theirs tasted better, and I loved my bright, yellow T-shirt that said it.
Isn't it funny the prohibition against ketchup on hot dogs... that's the "law" in Chicago also for some reason.
I lived on peanut butter and honey sandwiches on Upside Down brand bread as a child. Pringles were a treat.
Nothing better than a YooHoo.
My mom would pick me up from CCD class (fellow Catholics, you feel my pain) and my treat was a bottle. No wonder I was a chubster at that age.
Philly girl here. Tastycakes and Yoohoo in the AM. Breakfast of Champions!
Smurfberry Crunch!