Tommy’s Italian Sausages and Hot Dogs is hard to find, tucked away off Elizabeth Avenue, but it is worth the effort. Since 1969, the cute street stand has been the pride of three generations of Tommy Parrinellos, the latest one an enthusiastic maker of coarse pork-and-anise sausage; sweet, spicy stewed-onion chili that dresses a superlative chili dog; and a mind-boggling Jersey creation called the Italian hot dog. Deep-fried franks, onions, peppers and potatoes are stuffed into an enormous roll made from pizza dough.
“The old Italian people, when they used to play cards, they made a vegetable-and-potato sandwich because it was cheap — they were growing the vegetables in their backyard,” Mr. Parrinello explained. “Years later, someone put a hot dog on it.”
Tommy’s Italian Sausage and Hot Dogs
900 Second Avenue, Elizabeth
(908) 351-9831
Betsy Andrews
NYTimes March 28, 2008
The Lunch Encounter 
Tommy’s is without a doubt the best Hot Dog & Sausage in New Jersey. Once you try it you will be hooked. My family has been eating it since the begining.. 40 years ago! Tommy makes the best homemade sausage. We even buy Tommy’s sausage by the pound for our summer BBQ’s. Our neighbors look forward to it. It is worth the trip to Elizabeth..just be prepared to become addicted!
P.S. – Tommy is adorable…also worth the trip!
I come from around the Newark area. I moved to
Ohio years ago.Here there are no real italian hotdog places.2 dogs,onions peppers and
potatoes. I’m craving for one every week. I’ve been
going out of my mind since I moved here.
I guess I’m out of luck???