With the world arriving at MetLife Stadium for the World Cup, the East Rutherford, N.J., venue is putting a global spin on a Jersey classic for the tournament.
The food offerings at MetLife Stadium — or New York New Jersey Stadium, as it is being called during the World Cup — will include a signature dish, the “Ripper Hot Dog.”
It’s an homage to a New Jersey classic that was first invented at the iconic Clifton hot dog establishment Rutt’s Hut, while also putting a new spin on the dish.
The Ripper Hot Dog is a fried hot dog that rips open, but unlike the traditional version, MetLife’s will also include pineapple salsa, ketchup mayo, diced pineapple and potato sticks.
The dish also comes with homemade kettle chips.
“We just want to serve the people what you would get in [New York/New Jersey], but put our kind of spin on it,” Delaware North executive chef Michael Butler said Wednesday during a media preview of the stadium ahead of the World Cup. “It’s one of the most important things here. I come to these things to eat, I don’t really go for the game.”
The hot dog delicacy is part of a broader program during the World Cup in which each stadium will feature a custom signature dish that is based around the host city’s culture and flavors and is exclusive to that particular venue.
Fans attending the World Cup will be able to try the Ripper Hot Dog for the duration of the tournament, though it was not revealed how much supporters will have to pay for the item.
Other menu items shown off ahead of the start of the tournament included a pair of lobster rolls – one of which was a street corn lobster roll that has cilantro, lime and Tajín – a Mexican shrimp cocktail and freshly shucked oysters.
The World Cup’s run at MetLife Stadium will begin Saturday when Morocco and Brazil play in a group-stage match, the first of eight matches taking place there.
