308168 Mon Jul 10 17:02:16 -0700 2006 17 81 New Jersey 0 1735947 J's beef on RT.27 linden... Steamed garlicky beef dog,seeded bun,yellow mustard,very green relish,chopped raw onion,hot peppers,pickle and celery salt. Don't know if it was the authentic Chicago style, but it was OK with me.... Mon Jul 10 17:02:16 -0700 2006 12293 gudeatz 1 1737675 I've been to J's numerous times and I can say that it is definitely an authentic Chicago style dog. Although I myself am not crazy about a dog with all that stuff on it, many people like it. Jack, the owner, told me that the dogs (Vienna Beef) and most of the condiments are shipped in from Chicago. He grew up in Chicago and is familiar with this type of dog. We went there with the Star Ledger's Munchmobile team. Tue Jul 11 10:15:13 -0700 2006 1735947 11964 hotdoglover 1 1737711 It was your post that lead me to J's Tue Jul 11 12:25:36 -0700 2006 1735947 12293 gudeatz 1 1739150 Made the trek to Linden today (actually, had to pick up dear wife at Newark airport) for J's Beef. Met the owner, Jack, and had a nice chat about the comparative merits of a couple of Chicago Italian Beef purveyors. Anyhow, to cut to the chase, I had intended on having an Italian Beef Sandwich (wet, of course) and then following that with a Chicago Hot Dog (with sport peppers, of course). I didn't follow through, since the Italian Beef was too much to follow with more. This was an awesome sandwich, almost swimming in the sauce in the bottom of the serving dish. You should really ask for a fork when you get it wet, since the roll almost falls apart in your hands. I place this sandwich on a par with Katz Deli for a combination of flavor and tenderness, but far above for value, since the sandwich is less than five bucks, compared to the 13 for a Katz pastrami on rye. Jack also let me have a taste of his mesquite smoked brisket and his pulled pork, but, for my money, the italian beef will keep me coming back again and again, even though I am more than 100 miles away. I guess that I'll just have to send the wife out of town more often out of EWR. And, yes, I'll have the hot dog, too! Tue Jul 11 22:52:30 -0700 2006 1735947 12600 georgeb 1 1740311 Where on Rt 27 is this place? It sounds too good to be true! BTW, several weeks ago I posted messages about Syrena's and Pulaski, two Polish shops in Linden that sell food, prepared dinners, and lots of different types of kielbasca. I've seen other similar places that I have not explored. Also, Beinstein's Village Bakery is also in Linden (on St. Georges Ave), and their stuff is good. Linden is obviously a diamond in the rough for Jersey Chowhounders. Charlie Wed Jul 12 16:11:02 -0700 2006 1735947 12767 albinoni 1 1741117 J's Beef 902 W. St. Georges Ave. Linden, N.J. 908-587-0105 I think they are closed on Sundays, but call first to be sure... Wed Jul 12 20:55:39 -0700 2006 1735947 12600 georgeb 1 1745090 Yet another CH location in Linden: Today's Munchmobile column in the Star-Ledger wrote about White Rose Systems (1301 E. Elizabeth Avenue) as having one of the best pork roll sandwiches (the Complete, with pork roll, egg, cheese and potatoes) that they found anywhere. Fri Jul 14 18:51:08 -0700 2006 1735947 12767 albinoni 1 1781568 Yes the village bakery is probably one of the best bakeries in town. I live about 10 min from there and there baked goods are outstanding Wed Aug 02 00:37:03 -0700 2006 1735947 23221 ahoward 1 3931905 Anyone know if they sell the dogs frozen? Hard to find Vienna Beef dogs here....and it's been years since I've driven home to Chicago to bring some back. -mJ Tue Aug 05 11:32:53 -0700 2008 1735947 192452 njfoodies 2 3932957 J's beef is, unfortunately, closed. There were rumors they were moving down the shore but I'm not sure if they ever opened. Too bad it closed to it was a very unique place. Tue Aug 05 17:00:24 -0700 2008 3931905 20315 jrd303 3 3936130 J's Beef was going to move down the shore but that fell through. Then he was looking to open back up in Union County or the Woodbridge area. Last I heard he was looking to operate a cart selling Italian Beef and Chicago Hot Dogs. I'll let you know if I hear anything. Wed Aug 06 16:02:15 -0700 2008 3932957 11964 hotdoglover 1 3943170 Not Chicago style, but in Linden, chili dog at Father & Son on W. St. George Ave. (N of Stiles St.) is a must for every visit back home. Linden pizza at Anacapri (N. Wood Ave. These two are must haves. Also on N. Wood Ave. was great place for Italian, since replaced with a Pho (Vietnamese) restaurant. Can't vouch for the place, but if you haven't tried the cuisine, you will find yourself seeking out this style, I now live in Orange Co., CA and visit Little Saigon as often as possible. Lots of inexpensive places, just starting to develop high-end restaurants. Pulaski's good source of meats, haven't eaten meals. Beinstein's good breads, though I understand that the owner died recently (hope not - used to talk of playing football with Rosie Grier). Used to get great bar food along Stiles St. - at Elizabeth Ave. and one block N. but haven't been there in way too long and at least one changed ownership. Sat Aug 09 09:36:27 -0700 2008 1735947 216954 wbjake 1 3943187 One more thought - from posts I believe that Father & Son is where JT used to be. Never ate at JT, but it stuck in my mind from posts and I believe that there is a push cart on St. George in Rahway, by the Rahway River Park (opposite where Koos Bros. used to be) that had a JT sign on it. Definitely push cart there, may be wrong about JT. Perhaps someone can confirm for the group, as I am in Toronto, then back to CA for the next few months at least. Sat Aug 09 09:42:15 -0700 2008 1735947 216954 wbjake 2 3944479 Father & Son is where J's Beef used to be. The hot dog truck on St. Georges Ave. is Munce's. Been there forever. Sun Aug 10 06:19:28 -0700 2008 3943187 11964 hotdoglover 1 4417069 Has the former owner ever surfaced? I know that as of last summer he was planning to operate a couple of carts servinf hot dogs and italian beef. I tried to contact him by his e-mail and phone to no avail. is he missing in action? Sat Feb 14 09:23:46 -0800 2009 1735947 219000 dlhhr 2 4417376 Missing in action. Last I heard, he was to open again selling out of a cart. This was some time ago. Guess it fell through. Haven't heard from him in awhile. Sat Feb 14 11:54:26 -0800 2009 4417069 11964 hotdoglover 3 4431719 That is such a bummer. I have been looking forward to making the trek to get a little taste of the homeland! =( -mJ Thu Feb 19 07:16:46 -0800 2009 4417376 192452 njfoodies 1 4440776 If you're really that into the "authentic" Chicago dog, then you can get what you need at the Vienna website. I like Chicago style dogs too. They aren't chili dogs, but they're still good eating. https://www.viennabeefstore.com/shoppingV2.php?menu_level_idnum=18026 Sun Feb 22 05:01:35 -0800 2009 1735947 175204 Citizen Rich