The slang name for a deep-fried New Jersey hot dog whose casing bursts is a ripper.
A ripper is a hot dog deep-fried in oil until its casing splits or “rips.” The name describes the cooking result: intense frying can cause the outer casing to burst, creating a craggy, browned surface and a distinctive texture. The term is strongly associated with New Jersey hot-dog culture.
Rippers are especially linked with Rutt’s Hut in Clifton, New Jersey, a well-known restaurant that serves deep-fried hot dogs at different stages of doneness. Its terminology helped make the word familiar beyond the local area. A less-cooked dog may be described as a “creamer,” while a more deeply fried one develops the characteristic rip.
The answer is sometimes confused with generic words such as splitter or snapper, but those are not the established New Jersey slang term. “Ripper” refers specifically to the casing-bursting style, not merely to any fried or grilled hot dog.