In Clifton, people have been chowing down on “rippers” (hot dogs that split down the middle during the deep frying process) since 1928, when the roadside stand called Rutt’s Hut was opened by Royal “Abe” Rutt and his wife Anna.

To enter this bastion of unhealthy foodstuffs is to travel not only to a different time, but also a different place.  It’s like a slice of backwoods 1937 Carolina bowling alley was picked up in a tornado, swirled over Lyndhurst and landed, thwump, on a patch of grass next to Route 21. The exterior is unmitigated red brick; the interior is a mish-mosh of checkered floors, unflattering lighting, weary paneling and a completely incongruent booze-bar with beaten up stools (with concomitant beaten looking patrons). The tornado apparently left nothing behind from its nostalgic origins, including the wait staff, who are bruskly efficient and totally old-skool, and a separate takeout area reminiscent of a 50s drive up diner.

We showed up off-hour on a Saturday, but there were still plenty of people–from all walks of life–face-filling on fresh-from-the-fryolator fare (try repeating that 10 times fast). Half of our group opted for classic rippers, extolling their greasy goodness and copious condiments with happy smiles.  The non-aorta-eaters among us ordered grilled cheeses, which were about as no-nonsense and white-bread forgettable as it is possible to get.

Rutt’s Hut is listed in the book 1000 Places to See in the US and Canada Before You Die.  And frankly with this menu, it might just be the last stop you make on that bucket list. That said, the unapologetically no-frills Hut is indeed an experience in itself, for world-famous hot dogs and amusingly quirky staff, clientele and surroundings.

Rutt’s Hut is located at 417 River Road in Clifton.  The website seems to be perpetually under construction and contains little more than a map.