I remember driving out to a gas station to eat from Jersey Dawg Food Truck on its first day of business. At last, someone had finally brought New Jersey favorites like sliders and rippers to South Florida, I thought.
The sliders were inspired by White Manna. The food was what I was hoping for, and more than that.
I instantly hit it off with its owner Rob Goodman.
Award-Winning Dawgs & Jersey-style Sliders
I always thought of Jersey Dawg as the little truck that could. He won my 2015 Burgie Award for Best Hot Dog and then did the unthinkable, won the Schweid & Sons Very Best Burger Award at the 2016 South Beach Wine & Food Festival Burger Bash.
He had a tremendous supporting cast of folks cooking at Burger Bash. With winning the award comes the added pressure of proving you were deserving and having a plan to next level your business.
It would take some months after the win to evaluate what Jersey Dawg had become, where it was going, and where it needed to go. I don’t think Rob ever imagined in his wildest dreams that he’d win Burger Bash, and it changed everything.
Maybe it wasn’t fun for him anymore. I’m not sure; he didn’t say precisely what it was. When he called to tell me he was retiring Jersey Dawg, I had to respect his decision.
It had a good run and left a lasting impression on the South Florida Burger scene; not many people can say they accomplished that. Remember, it’s not goodbye but til’ next time.
Jersey Dawg Food Hall of Fame
I passed by there for months. Now I’ve confirmed the bad news. Those fries were from god.