By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Be it ever so humble, there is nothing like a good hot dog and Capt. Paul’s Firehouse Dogs has the best hot dogs in New Jersey.
At least that’s the assessment of New Jersey Monthly magazine’s food critics at the conclusion of the 29th annual “Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll.” Last month, the magazine named the modest-sized hot dog stand on Princeton Pike as its choice for the best hot dogs.
Each year, readers nominate their favorites in more than 40 categories, ranging from “Best Bakery” and “Best Bang for the Buck” to “Best Caterer” and “Best Beer Selection.” There is a winner in each category in each region north, central and south and then the magazine’s critics make their choice.
Paul Tweedly, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Janice, was bowled over when he learned that the critics preferred his hot dog stand over the north/central/south Jersey winners in the “Best Hot Dog” category.
”We had a customer who came in and said, ‘You won for the best hot dog place.’ At the time, we didn’t know about it. We are very honored,” said Mr. Tweedly, who had reached the rank of captain when he retired from the Trenton Fire Department after 26 years.
This is not the first time that Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs has been recognized by New Jersey Monthly magazine. It was reviewed by the magazine last year, which generated new customers from other parts of the state who had read the article, he said.
Mr. Tweedly readily admits that he fell into the restaurant business. He offered to help another Trenton firefighter who had opened Gelato, which was the predecessor to the hot dog stand. But when circumstances changed for the owner, Mr. Tweedly and his wife, Janice, took over the business about four years ago and expanded the offerings to include hot dogs. It still offers ice cream and Italian ices.
”I said to my wife, ‘This would be a great place for a hot dog stand.’ She came up with the name of Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs,” Mr. Tweedly said. Outside the small cinderblock building, there is a sign that features a caricature of a Dalmatian dog and the business’ name.
The firehouse theme dominates the interior of the restaurant, which features five stools at a small counter and a handful of tables outside. There are about 300 to 400 patches from fire departments, police departments and emergency medical services units tacked to the walls. Suspended overhead are firefighters’ helmets from assorted fire departments.
While the patches and helmets are reminders of Mr. Tweedly’s former career, it wasn’t difficult to switch gears from firefighter to restaurateur. He said he loved preparing meals for the firefighters on his shift when he worked for the Trenton department. He said he would do some of the shopping and “partake” in preparing food for the crew at the firehouse.
Some of the menu items at Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs reflect his days as a firefighter/chef. While the menu originally featured just plain hot dogs, there are now variations of hot dogs as well as sandwiches. Some recipes are carry-overs from the firehouse, but others are the result of suggestions made by others.
”Basically, it’s an extension (of what we made at the firehouse,)” Mr. Tweedly said.
Each offering has its own name the Volunteer sandwich is pork roll, cheese and onion rings, topped with cole slaw. America’s Heroes is a fried hot dog, pork roll, tomatoes, peppers and onions and topped with cheddar cheese.
Mr. Tweedly also has striven to make the hot dog stand a family oriented place, putting a stamp on a child’s hand or offering lollipops. The goal, he said, is to create memories for the children.

