Took a little ride recently out Route 46 through Budd Lake, Hackettstown, Independence and to Buttzville. (Yes, Buttzville, New Jersey.  There is such a place.)

Before Route 80 sliced a concrete line across the belly of New Jersey, Route 46 was the main east/west artery.  Heading down that particular stretch of road is a lot like riding on portions of the old Route 66. Historical and nostalgic if you look in just the right way…. You can almost see families in old Plymouths cruising on their way to/from the Delware or Poconos.

Hackettstown, with it’s traditional main street, is home to an especially nice HESS station circa 1960. Being so close to NYC, my hunch is that it must have appeared in a few movies.

In many places, NJ Rte 46 also runs paralel to old train tracks that brought goods from the Western Jersey country side into the city. Some nice old train stations, many barns, farm houses and numerous churches along the drive. Unfortunately, much of it is in disrepair and the history of the area is slowly rotting away. 

But back to Buttzville.  Besides its name, Buttzville has the distinct honor of being home of Hot Dog Johnny’s – a true hot dog stand in the tradition of old Route 46.  Mulit-colored neon hot dog sign. Birch beer in real glass mugs. Dogs any way you want them. Fresh buttermilk. Home made fries. Chocolate shakes made with real ice cream. Giant pickles.

We arrived at Hot Dog Johnny’s just before noon on a Sunday to feast on shakes, dogs, pickles and fries.  According to Johnny’s website, they’ve been in business since 1944.  One measure of their success came in a comment I overheard from one young customer. The boy about ten or so noted that “2 out of 3 cars coming down the road turn into Hot Dog Johnny’s.”