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Toby's Cup
Categories: Restaurants Hot Dogs Restaurants Burgers Hot Dogs, Burgers [Edit]
857 Memorial PkwyPhillipsburg, NJ 08865
(908) 859-1925
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
17 reviews for Toby's Cup
17 reviews in English
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Review from Don M.
Burlingame, CA
9/26/2011
Many great memories here. I'm a vegetarian now and live on the opposite side of the country, but I miss the trips to this place. Excellent sandwiches and nice people (on both sides of the counter). There's a small area to sit outside and eat, but you can just as easily grab some sandwiches and bring them home to eat. The hot dogs were great (the onions are the key ingredient) and the simple cheese steaks are awesome (gives Philly a run for its money).
I only wish they had a vegetarian option now. I haven't been back in many, many years so hopefully they do now have a vegetarian option. -
Review from tom m.
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped here on my way back from Bethlehem, Pa. This was my first time trying it out.
First off, any business that has survived 50 yrs deserves some props. The place is a local landmark, Thats why I knew I needed to stop and try a dog out.
I thought the hot dog was ok. It's a fried dog....but was not as well done as Rutt's Huts' hot dog. This was my first time having a hot dog with pickle and raw onion on it. It was not the best hot dog I have ever had, but was interesting and tasted good....personally my favorite was Callahan's (closed) in Fort Lee, NJ. I grew up on Callahan's.
All in all, I'm glad I was able to stop at another classic NJ hot dog spot. -
Review from Howie A.
Linden, NJ
9/6/2011
This place is an area landmark, legend if you will. I have been visiting for close to 50 yrs. Yes that is how long it has been here. I remember when the current owner was just a little boy and his father ran the place. Some say he is nasty but what is unique is he adds up the entire bill in his head. No cash register. I honestly don't know how he stays cramped up in their all day from 11am to 10 at night. I am sure he takes breaks but every time I drive by I always see him working there wearing the traditional white apron.
It is a place you would never think of stopping at if you were passing by and might even drive right by it without noticing. Granted it has become a little run down and basically it is just a small shack but the turn out some great hot dogs, cheese steaks and milkshakes. They deep fry the dogs in oil and you get a slice of pickle and some raw onions on them. Similar to Jimmys Hot Dogs in Easton, Pa. Tobys just started adding chili and kraut so I cant comment on the chili. The cheese steaks you can order either hot (chopped up peppers) or mild (chopped raw onions). The cheese steaks are not as good as they use to be but I still eat them. I never cared for the hamburgers and I recommend skipping them. They taste like the ones you get in the frozen box. They do have a pork roll and cheese sandwich on the menu that is good. It is a no frills place and with no frills prices. There is no indoor seating but some picnic benches outside to sit and enjoy watching the 18 wheelers whiz by.
The milkshakes don't get much better than here. They take (use to be Byers Ice Cream) hard ice cream and blend it the old fashion way. Really good with the black and white thick shake as my personal favorite. -
Review from Jennifer B.
San Clemente, CA
7/12/2010
Here's what a lot of people don't understand about Toby's- It's not about a variety of food, or even a high quality of food; for almost every customer it's about the tradition.
This hot dog shack (I mean this quite literally) has stood along Phillipsburg's Route 22 since my Dad was kid and likely before then. I grew up getting hot dogs with 'everything', which is mustard, onion, and pickle and chocolate shakes and choose to repeat this every time I visit my home town. This tiny little place has room for about 5 standing and a few picnic tables outside for some highway dining.
Don't be fooled. Toby's is not for the light of heart. The man behind the counter has been there since I can remember and if you don't know what you want to order he will very easily skip over you to the next person. Their menu offers hot dogs, shakes, burgers, and cheese steaks. No fries, no onion rings, and no frill- so plain and simple, don't ask.
Toby's is a place for locals supported by locals. In the fall the High School's football schedule will be on the wall marking wins and losses for the season. These five-stars aren't for the food, as much as for the experience of Toby's. It's just one of the roadside dives that makes you happy to be alive. -
Review from I'm C.
Stewartsville, NJ
11/18/2011
My favorite Hot Dog place. Don't ask for kraut because they don't serve it. I order the works I call "Toby dog" and this comes with the dog fried in oil on a bun with mustard and onions topped with a pickle slice. Their milk shakes are great as well. The price is great too!
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Review from Joshua L.
Phillipsburg, NJ
8/10/2009
My review is in response to the girl who gave Toby's 2 stars, actually two girls gave it two stars. One said the dog with everything has ketchup on it, not true at all. If there was ketchup on it then you asked for ketchup and if you asked for ketchup on a hot dogs you have no place reviewing a hot dogs joint, ketchup on a dog is a sin.
the other girl went on and on about the condition of the building, what the hell?? its not a sit in place, you go in, get your dogs and go. personally i like the hole in the wall feeling. and the dogs are f***ing awesome. i used to love the cheesesteaks but over the past 3 years or so they have fallen off, dramatically. but the dogs are awesome, the shakes are awesome. i want to eat one so bad right now. see ya. goin to toby's. -
Review from James G.
Somerville, NJ
8/23/2006
Who hasn't been through Phillipsburg and stopped by Toby's, or has heard of Phillipsburg and the legendary Toby's hot dog joint?
Living in infamy for it's tiny inside area, which can fit maybe 5 adults who are crouching over, and the guy behind the counter who uses no calculator or register to know exactly how much you owe, Toby's serves you hot dogs and milkshakes, and you'll like it, or else.
Also sporting things like cheese steaks on it's menu Toby's is one of those places that everyone in town goes to and knows about. There's hardly a person in the county who hasn't stopped by and ordered up a dog at least once, and their black and white thick milkshakes? Quite glorious.
If you ever happen to be driving through Phillipsburg on Rt. 22 be sure to stop by and get yourself a little pop culture. -
Review from Hannah B.
Phillipsburg, NJ
6/19/2011
I love Toby's Cup, but if I was being honest I would tell you that I have to work up the nerve to go in. The tradition of a scary non friendly owner is not the best part.
The dogs are great...the cheesesteaks are lovely too, they even do a favorite of mine, a California (chicken) version.
But there is no help in learning how to order, and god help you if you do it wrong.
Still it's an adventure you should have if you are from the area, and the a-treat sodas are always super cold on a hot day. -
Review from Vanessa W.
Bethlehem, PA
9/15/2008
Ok, the other reviewers are probably going to crucify me here - but I really don't get it.
My husband and I stopped here on the way back from a recent trip to the shore. (Why else go to Jersey??) The place is round, and probably resembled a cup at one time or another. It's very cramped inside - like walking into a closet. All of this did not bother me.
They get two stars for two good things - A-treat Sodas, and the milkshake I had.
I got two dogs with everything. Everything here is ketchup, mustard, onions and pickles. The dog was flavorless and all shriveled up like it had been sitting around way too long, which was strange cuz the place was hoppin. I didn't feel like the pickle added much either. My husband got a burger. The role was good, but the burger was pathetic, and the sandwich was swimming in mayo. And I LOVE mayo, so you know it must have been a lot.
All and all I feel like I'm more likely to get food poisoning here than a good meal. I'd skip it. -
Review from leslie b.
10/1/2009
Toby's is amazing! We are always cursing ourselves when we have a craving for Toby's on a Tuesday (they are closed every Tuesday).
Toby's Cup is just a hotdog shack and when you go there you should follow hotdog shack etiquette. Who cares if you can't see the menu? Why are you looking at a menu at a hotdog place anyway? Just order "3 dogs" or "3 with everything" or "a cheesesteak". This isn't fine dining, people!
Yes, Toby's Cup is actually a shack, literally. The small place can hold about five people comfortably. In the summer we usually order our food then stand outside to wait. If you have a large group, be smart and just have one person go in and order while the rest wait outside. The line moves quick, the food is prepared quick.
The dogs are $1.10, there's no reason why you can't have your money out and ready to hand to the guy when he says your order is up. That's normal hotdog shack routine!
And if you want to order a shake there, just say "thick vanilla" or "thick black and white" (chocolate and vanilla together) or "regular vanilla". Their shakes are to die for! They are super cheap and the thick shakes are fantastic!!!
Oh and the hotdogs themselves (while not super amazing) are really good and unique. They're fried which gives them this crisp/snap as you eat them. There really aren't too many better hotdogs around. Definitely don't ruin them with ketchup! -
Review from Brian l.
Philadelphia, PA
10/15/2008
I've gotten lunch here twice in the past year. The hot dogs are okay. They're just not anything special. I ordered a dog with mustard and onions. It was delicious, but the hot dog didn't stand out when compared to other hot dogs I have eaten. I also ordered a vanilla milkshake which I will say was fantastic.
I'm not going to say avoid this place, but it is worth going to if you're craving a hot dog. -
Review from Charly J.
Bethlehem, PA
2/20/2009
I only gave it 3-stars because my hubby & I have only tried their dogs.
Ok, my hubby & I decided to do an impromptu Lehigh Valley & beyond hot dog tour last Sunday. Being Sunday, at least 1/2 of the places we wanted to try were closed. This was only a trial run for our true hot dog tour soon to come, so we learned that Sunday is not the day to do the tour. We began our tour @ Toby's Cup in Phillipsburg, NJ.
Toby's is a cramped little shack of a place located just off of Rt 22 after you've crossed into NJ from PA. Aside from being cramped, their menu is not viewable until you are standing & leaning in @ the counter to place your order. This means that there's really no time to ponder their food selection, especially when the place is full of waiting people. Knowing they had dogs, we ordered two w/ everything (yellow mustard, chopped raw onions, two small pieces of dill pickle). The dog was VERY crispy w/ a nice snap. The bun was sturdy & not steamed like other dog places. I have to say, for being a cheap shack dog, I liked it. We're going to go back & try their cheesesteaks. We're also going to do an official hot dog tour & try Toby's dogs one more time.
It's good for groups IF everyone already knows what they want (you must KNOW the menu in advance w/ this place) only sends in one person to place the order. The benches look pretty beat up, so it might be best to eat in your car. -
Review from Tom B.
Bethlehem, PA
12/29/2009
Great place.....fair prices....and room for about 3 people to order. We ordered a few dogs and burgers. Dogs were deep fried....but not ripped up at all (lightly deep fried). Tasted like a "Hatfield" like dog. Dog had a stronger taste.
Hamburger was interesting. Kind of a "meatloaf" kind of taste (and I mean that in a good way) and a fresh roll not from a "bag of 8" at the store. That was a pleasant surprise when I just was expecting a hockey puck.
Certainly will try again. -
Review from Wayne S.
Chicago, IL
6/3/2008
Toby's is the oldest tradition in my family. I was born just a quarter mile away, so it holds a special place for me. In this tiny little shack along Route 22, they serve Easton Dogs, Sweet or Hot Cheesesteaks, Cheeseburgers (get it with the sauce, it's killer!) , Thick Milkshakes, chips, and cans of soda. You can't go wrong with Joe Nicnic or any of the other people behind that tiny counter that have worked there for years. Perfect for on your way to NYC or a trip down the shore.
Listed in: Daytripper
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Review from J S.
Westminster, CO
4/17/2008
Toby's Cup, tastes sooooooo good. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I feel quite sure the food here has less than no nutritional value, but I don't care, it's worth it. This is another must eat at spot when I visit the relatives. But, why oh why is it so flippin small inside? They either have squandered all their vast hot dog money on, well, who knows what, or just can't imagine expanding....not even a little bit, nope, not gonna do it. Oh well, I guess no chance of them franchising....I love you Toby's Cup
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Review from Joe M.
Edgewater, NJ
11/6/2009
I am a fine hot dog connoisseur and have heard many stories about Toby's unique dogs.
Finally I went there and ordered a few w/ everything. The actual dog is made from pretty crappy meat...it has the preserved hot dog taste similar to the dogs you would find on rollers at 7/11...you know...the kind you taste in burps days after consuming.
The overall taste is pretty good with all the stuff they pile on it, but that only masks the taste if the gross dog.
They did have a great extra thick milk shake, I'd recommend that, but definitely don't go out of your way for this place. -
Review from Melissa B.
Phillipsburg, NJ
3/4/2009
I cannot agree more with Mike M. from Bloomsbury!! BRAVO for a dead on review! It was so close to verbatim, from my personal opinion, my fiance won't believe that I didn't write Mike's review under another person's name! I always call the owner a Hot Dog Nazi. In fact, once I made the mistake of saying, "I'll have a cheese steak." Obviously, not daring to elaborate, ask questions or break his focused concentration from the difficult task of fishing the dogs out of the grease vat that was last replaced in 1975...he snarled at me and asked, "what do you want on it." Again, not wanting to ask any questions, I simply stated, "I'll take it however it comes." He got even more angry with me and yelled, "It doesn't come with ANYTHING!" After that experience, I refuse to even go into that walk-in closet dump shack. Another reason not to go in? My jacket smelled for a week!! We always crack up at the "light ball" on top of the building that never has more than 3 bulbs lit at one time. My fiance, a P-burger born and raised, swears it's a 10-star. He claims that they should put out car air freshener that smells like that place! In fact, he's on his way there now, getting our "dinner." I guess after watching a few episodes of "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmerman," Toby's is almost acceptable. It will be my FIRST HOT DOG from the Dump Shack.
If you are truly daring, pick up a bag of "Cheese Waffies." A terrible crunchy snack that my dog even spit out.
For kicks, one day, I'm going there to order: A chili dog with cheese, one with kraut, a side of onion rings and a bottle of water. I think Jim, the Dog Slinging Nazi, will keel over dead, after banning me from there for life!
