Month: May 2010

May 29th & 30th at Monmouth Park Racetrack

Event: Munchmobile Hot Dog Showdown
Dates & Time: Saturday May 29th and Sunday May 30th from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport (event is inside the main gate, behind the grandstand.) Event goes on Rain or shine
Cost: General admission to track: $3, children age 12 & under free. Food and drink prices vary
Additional info for public: www.monmouthpark.com or 732.222.5100

Oceanport, NJ: Do you relish great hot dogs and burgers? Kick off the summer by munching on the best hot dogs and burgers from across the Garden State. Decide which ones cut the mustard, and cast your vote for top dog and burger at the Munchmobile Hot Dog Showdown, Saturday May 29th and Sunday May 30th from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport.

The Windmill, with eight central New Jersey locations, competes for top dog honors against Jersey Johnny’s from Pequanock, Charlie’s Famous Italian Hot Dogs of Kenilworth and Wally’s Hot Diggity Dogs of Bayonne. In the burger category Consolidated Dairies, Wallington, now offering Pat LaFrieda Meats to restaurants across the state, will go head to head with The Windmill.

These hot dog and burger pros are ready for battle and confident that they know how to create the sizzle. Throughout the event, the public is invited to enter to win great prizes and cast their vote for People’s Choice Awards in both categories. On Sunday afternoon, Munch master Pete Genovese & The Munchmobile will be onsite on Sunday to meet Munchmobile fans. Hot dog and burger judging by Genovese and a panel of food and media industry judges begins at approximately 1:30 p.m. Awards in all categories will be announced on Sunday afternoon at approximately 3 pm.

On Saturday enjoy live music from The Amboys. On Sunday The Koots entertain. Bring the whole family for Sunday’s Star Ledger Family Day with clowns, pony rides, face painting & more. Of course there’s exciting thoroughbred racing all weekend, with the first race starting at 12:50 p.m. General admission to Monmouth Park Racetrack is $3. Children age 12 and under are admitted free. Food and drink prices vary. Visit www.MonmouthPark.com or 732-222-5100 for more event information.

The Hot Dog Showdown is sponsored by Monmouth Park Racetrack, Star-Ledger & nj.com / Everything Jersey, 90.5 FM The Night, Garden State Menu, Renewal by Andersen, DonQ Rum and Alure Owens Corning Basement Finishing System. Event Management provided by Spark Market Solutions.

Fighting words from the participants:

“A WindMill hot dog isn’t just something you eat. It’s an experience. From the grill, to the bun, to the tray…the anticipation of the first bite builds and never disappoints..pure hot dog bliss…. and one of Martha Stewart’s favorite hot dogs,” says Rena Levine, CEO of WindMill’s eight location empire. “Windmill has been serving great dogs and more since ’64. And have I mentioned our cheese fries are to die for?” According to Levine, “a WindMill hot dog is done to perfection when it blows up and cracks wide open.”

“Wally’s Hot Diggidy Dogs is Bayonne’s place to go for the best grilled and water cooked dogs. Wally’s offers top quality Boars Head Hot Dogs in three sizes. Go for tradition or try a Reuben dog, a Chicago Rock or top them off with homemade mouth watering chili and homemade sweet onions. Not hot for hotdogs? Try a grilled burger, cheesesteak, chicken burger or Wally’s sausage, peppers and onion sandwiches. Round it out fresh cut fries, grilled pretzels and fried dill pickles. So come on in, you’re sure to grin at Wally’s Hot Diggidy Dogs,” says Wally’s owner Walt Schember. “Wally’s hot dogs are done to perfection,” says Schember, “when the color is just the right deep reddish brown.” “Legendary Pat La Frieda Wholesale Meat Purveyors has supplied the best restaurants in New York for three generations and will now be offering those meats to Jersey eateries through its distributer Consolidated Dairies. To whet the appetites of Garden State foodies for the ultimate beef, Consolidated Dairies’ burgers will be smokin’ the competition in the Hot Dog Showdown,” says Jim Higgins, Consolidated Diaries’ Supply Chain Manager, standing on the combined 175+ years of experience of the two food firms.

For 27 years, sometimes seven and a half days a week, John DiGangi has been cooking up classic dogs. For 23 years, he’s been making chili sauce with secret ingredients he’s not about to share. Just four months ago, DiGangi opened Jersey Johnny’s Grill, in Pequanock, in Morris County. Jersey Johnny’s serves classic North Jersey dogs “all the way”-that is deep fried with chili sauce, onions and spicy brown mustard. “One taste of our food will have you coming back again and again, says DiGangi. The new spot’s rallying cry is “let’s go all the way at Jersey Johnny’s.” And how does this seasoned veteran know when a Jersey Johnny’s hot dog is at its best? “It talks to you,” responds DiGangi!

“Charlie’s Famous Italian Hot Dogs of Kenilworth has been serving Italian hot dogs forever,” according to owner, Jimmy Guarino. “Look for dogs that are just like the old days in the old neighborhood. Charlie’s dogs are not too spicy, with mustard, perfectly cooked peppers and onions and crispy potatoes on a half of pizza roll.” Asked when a Charlie’s hot dog is cooked to perfection, Guarino explains that “Italian hot dogs thrive on more than a bit of grease. A Charlie’s dog is done to perfection when it floats.”