Maui’s Dog House

After opening in 1999, Maui’s Dog House has become a culinary staple of North Wildwood, serving returning fans summer after summer and even getting featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives. I recently got to enjoy Maui’s signature franks for the first time. The restaurant was set with outdoor picnic tables under a bright orange awning, perfect for a summer day in Wildwood.

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Despite being a hot dog place, you’ll also want to try one of the foods highlighted on one of their original signs, in neon emblazoned with “salty balls.” These small potatoes are cooked in a brine of salt and spices and served with drawn butter, and while the description doesn’t sound all that appetizing, I found them to be tasty and much more desirable than standard french fries. The inside of the potato was perfectly moist and salty, complimented well with a dip in the butter.

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My hot dog came out shortly after — a J-Bell with freshly cooked bacon, sauteed onions and a smoky barbecue sauce, one of more than 20 varieties available, offering 29 different toppings. The meat is a traditional German frank, made with a combination of beef, pork and veal that is noticeably superior in taste and texture.

With the potatoes and the generously-topped hot dog, I was stuffed with one of the best lunches I’ve ever had. Maui’s is definitely a place to come back to every summer.

Maui’s Dog House

806 New Jersey Ave.

Wildwood, N.J. 08260

609 846 0444