Saturday Night Cheeseburger
Live, from New York, it’s Saturday Night Cheeseburger! Tonight’s host is Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionary, with special guest stars, The Duncester and Rutt’s Hut and featuring the Ready For Prime Beef Player, Marty Wombacher. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome tonight’s host, all the way from New Jersey, Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionary!
Okay, tonight's a special treat. Frequent guest star, The Duncester was telling me about Holsten's diner in New Jersey. It's the diner where they shot the final Sopranos episode and it turns out his mother-in-law lives nearby, so he's been there many times and told me they have great food, including cheeseburgers and said we should go out there sometime. So that's tonight's destination. And the Duncester is one of the few people I know who lives in the city and has a car, so we're driving out and don't have to mess with no stinking trains! I told The Duncester that I believe that outside of a cab or car service, this is the first time I've been in a car in traffic in the city. Another thing to cross off the bucket list...oh, wait, I don't have a bucket list. Nevermind.
And it's off we go into the wild blue yonder, towards New Jersey.
Wow, we're here already! Duncester sure makes good time on the road!
And speaking of The Duncester, here he is in front of the Diner. Okay, let's go in and see if it looks like it did from that Sopranos episode.
There's the counter, looks exactly the same. Bada bing, bada boom!
And here's the dining room, which also is spot on from the episode.
I wanted to sit at the famed, "Sopranos Booth" but there was a couple sitting there eating already. So we took the booth next to it and hoped they'd finish before we did, so we could get a few shots of it. The food came quickly! First up, a vanilla shake. One of the best shakes I've ever had!
And here's The Dunceter's cheeseburger and fries. Looks great! I like that they melt the cheese on both sides of the bun instead of on top of the burger, you get more cheese that way.
There were two other guests at the table, but I couldn't take their photos because they're in the witness protection plan, but here are their burgers. You may wonder where my burger is, well, since everybody else got burgers, I got a grilled cheese, it was so delicious I ate it before I had a chance to take a picture of it!
The infamous onion rings, made famous on the episode where Tony declares them, "Best in da state!" As soon as the waitress put the onion rings down, the couple left the booth, so we quickly went over to get some pictures.
And here it is, booth B-3, which eventually faded to black on the last episode of the Sopranos.
Here's the prop jukebox where Tony selected, "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey.
The Duncester took a shot of me using an onion ring for a monocle, Mr. Peanut style.
And here's a shot with full Tripping With Marty effect! Thanks for the shots, Duncester!
On the way back to Manhattan, we made a pit stop at a place The Duncester said I needed to see, a classic New Jersey bar/restaurant called, Rutt's Hut. They're famous for their deep fried hot dog which is called, The Ripper.
Okay, time for a night in the Rutts.
Cash only, always the sign of a classic joint!
Here's the dining room, I love all the dark-stained wood in this place!
But we chose to sit at the bar in the back room.
This place is definitely old school!
I love the signage in here and can you believe the prices?
Here's the fresh mustard and relish that are made fresh on the premises.
And here's The Ripper with cheese on a fresh potato roll. It was crispy, decadent and delicious! Thanks to The Duncester for setting this up and driving us there, a classic and great Saturday Night Cheeseburger!
Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionary
1063 Broad Street
Bloomfield, New Jersey
973-338-709
Rutt’s Hut
417 River Rd.
Clifton, New Jersey
973-779-8615
Further Reading: Off The Broiler, Roadfood and Wikipedia.
Holsten's, Onion Rings, Rutt's Hut, Sopranos, The Duncester Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 5:36PM
Reader Comments (31)
Holsten's has been on my "to-do" list for long time and Rutt's Hut is now going on it too!
So, in the interest of adding new trivia to the "Tripping With Marty" fan club database ... you've lived in NYC for quite awhile . . .when is the last time you've actually driven a car yourself? Since you've moved? Or do you sneak behind the wheel when you're visiting your parental units?
I like those kind of fries, always have. Marty you should consider getting a Zipcar membership. It is nice to get behind the wheel and drive away from this dump once in while.
Best Cheeseburger Saturday Night post ever !
Rutt's is always a great choice!
@roadsidewonders: The last time I drove was on July 6th, 1993 in Peoria, one day before I moved here. I used to drive like a mad man and got a ticket for doing 52 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. Since I was moving the next day I threw the ticket away and never looked back. I haven't had a driver's license since 1994, just a state ID card.
@legitimate beef: What's a Zipcar membership?
@GENE: Thanks, it was a great night!
@Art: I agree! A classic place and everybody there was real friendly and the Ripper was a great hot dog!
The funny thing is your Australian mates will probably have no idea what I'm talking about.
Holsten's rings say "Take that Bloomin' Onion!"
what a great place!!!!!Pick me up and I'm there...bada bing bada boom!!
@csp: Irony at its finest hour!
Melanie: It's worth the trip! I'll let you know the next time we go!
I have a friend down here from Nutley, NJ, and he raves about Rutt's all the time. But those dogs are fried and they have the "nuclear dog" also,,,can't eat that too often or you may get hardening of the arteries early. He goes up there a few times a year and brings down Rutt's mustard relish, which they sell there, really delicious stuff. Bill Clinton and Hilary did a Soprano replica scene at Holsten's that was hilarious.
Thats on my to do list next time I go home...
glad you made it out alive!
good looking food!
too bad the juke box doesnt work.. i love those little table side juke thingees:)
@Al: The food is great and the atmosphere is the best, as old school as it gets! I remember the Bill and Hillary reenactment scene, it was pretty funny!
@Gidget: We can meet there when you go! And the only disappointment was that the jukebox was a prop. I wanted to be a full-fledged geek and put "Don't Stop Believin'" on it!
Marty, your narration and pictures really capture the spirit of Holsten’s and Rutt’s Hut. We had a great time. I’ll be your DD any time. Why are all the things that taste great are also bad for you? Oh well, moderation is the key.
@Duncester: It was a great night! Thanks again for driving and suggesting this. A classic Saturday Night Cheeseburger that will be tough to top!
DAMN...those cheeseburgers do look great...those prices at Rutt's i could take then anytime...almost twice the price for a great dog 'round here...that deep fried shtick has been the signature of a place down the road since 1947...
sorta off topic...God why can't this guy stay on topic...i run w/a state id myself...the hoops one has to jump thru are not only degradin' but also an insult...folk w/a driver's licence just plop down some cash and get thier picture retaken...for a state id...even to renew...one has to prove they were born still live at address has a valid social etc...as a vet i hate being treated like dogshit...apologize for the rant TWM your space and all but some things really wind my clock...
Be moderate in everything, including moderation.
Horace Porter
rr
@rr: You never need to apologize here! And I understand your rant as a fellow state ID carrier! The point is well taken, my friend! And a wonderful quote as always!
Hey Marty! Glad you enjoyed NJ! Now I'm craving a cheeseburger and onion rings!
@Meleah: If you haven't been to Holsten's you really need to go! The onion rings are the best!
I'm really surprised you didn't visit this place in Clifton, Marty:
http://www.blackprincedistillery.com/
Click on the white bottle and read the specs.
Sip Ahoy
@Uncle Waltie: I'll check it out on the next visit! 160 proof! Sip Ahoy!
Ive never noticed before but it looks like you have a lazy onion eye!
@Professor Dungpie: Ha, you are correct! That eye refuses to exercise!
Wow, I live down the street from Holsten's. Glad to see that you made it out to Jersey.
Marty
Holsten's is in my hometown of Bloomfield NJ. I spent many a day there way back when / The Juke boxes worked then. If you ever go there again I will meet you there. Good luck with this site
@Jason: I wish I knew you lived there, you could've met us!
@Frankie Headbanger: Shit, I had no idea, would've been great to have you along! Thanks for the good wishes about the blog, so far it's a lot of fun!
I love that Holsten's serves their shakes in the mixer with a mug on the side! Also, that dog looked delicious.
@Biff: The dog was delicious we need to hit this place the next time you visit!
Will you promise to never use the term "bucket list" again. It is the worst term ever.
Oh and by the way. I love the new Tripping With Marty format.
@randall: It will never be used again, I promise! Glad you like the new and improved format! The next pot will be up in about an hour, I'm working on it now.
I want to go to all of these places so badly!!! Woah!!! Looks like the best trip ever!!! Mmmmmmm!!! I want onion ring glasses! Luckies!!
@Lindsay: You're right, this was the best Cheeseburger Saturday Night ever! It's going to be tough to top this one!