hot dog

Jack’s Hot Dog Stand, North Adams, MA, 6/1/24

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exterior – 12 Eagle St, North Adams, MA 01247

Jack’s Hot Dog Stand was opened in 1917 by Jaffros “Jack” Levanos and is still family run and owned.  Jack’s son John and his wife Lucille took over and were followed by their son Jeff and his wife Mary Lou.  They have a son, so who knows how long this can go on.  It’s a small place with only stools facing the counter.  Along the wall behind them, stand those waiting for a seat or their to-go order.   This place has history and people have been coming for generations.  The prices are low and the staff seemed to know many of the patrons.  The service is ultra fast and we got ours to-go and ate on the bench outside.  Hot dog buns were kept in the steamer and so are very soft and the hot dogs are sizzling on the side griddle.   Fries are fresh, peeled and fried in house daily.  They could have benefitted from a 2 step frying process and been crisper but the thought is there.  The small hot dog was covered with an average chili and a thin slice of cheese that disappeared.  It was quite soft overall but you go here for history and tradition, so you should try it if you find yourself nearby. Continue reading →

Tony Packo’s , Toledo, OH, 9/27/23

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front –1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605

Tony Packo’s is a huge place that’s been in business since 1932.  Tony and his wife got a $100 loan during the Depression to open a sandwich shop where he created his signature “Hungarian Hot Dog.”   They gradually grew the shop to the size and fame of what it is today.  Burt Reynolds was the first to sign a hot dog bun in 1972 and that started a trend that would go for generations.  Today, however, the famous put their autograph on a foam replica of the original bun.  The walls were lined with cases of these signed buns including the only few original real buns that remain.  There are now a number of locations in Ohio but this was the orginal and although the food is average it’s worth going to, to see all these buns. Service was available in the bar area otherwise grab a cafeteria tray at the order counter and pay, and by then your food is ready.  A drink station is in the center of the room for self-service.  They only offer Steudel or cookies for dessert. Continue reading →

Olneyville New York System, Providence, 5/25/22

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exterior – 18 Plainfield St., Providence, RI

Olneyville New York System was opened in the 1946 by Anthony Stevens and his son Nicholas after emigrating to Brooklyn from Greece in 1920.   They ran a candy shop in NY then opened a restaurant serving hot wieners and a small lunch menu when the family moved to Rhode Island.  The original restaurant at Olneyville Square moved in 1953 to its present location on Plainfield Street and then was open 24 hours a day.  In 1981 they opened a second location in Cranston and to this day the Stevens family operates both restaurants.  The compact place has 2 rows of small booth seats in bright yellow and orange next to a row of counter stools that run the length of the place.  You ordered as you entered where you can see the wieners roasting on the griddle.  They have some other options but this place is about hot wieners ‘all the way’.  Staff were very friendly and super efficient.  It’s worth a visit. Continue reading →

Attman’s Delicatessen, Baltimore, 4/30/22

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exterior – 1019 E Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21202

Attman’s Deli was established in 1915 by Harry Attman and is now run by the third generation of the same family.  It is the oldest continuously family-owned deli in the country.  They have 2 locations – the one we went to in Baltimore and another in Park Potomac.  The location on Lombard Street opened in 1933, on what was then known as “Corned Beef Row” because there were 7 delis on the street. (Now just 2 delis remain operational.) They are known for their corned beef and on a busy day can sell 2,000 pounds of it at the Baltimore location only.  Hot dogs are another signature and are topped with a slice of bologna or pastrami – a consistent favorite.  They also sell lots of sides and other meats.  When Harry’s son Seymour took over in 1968 he bought the building next door to open a place for customers to eat and talk, named the Kibbitz Corner, and established names for a number of sandwich combinations.  When we went the line was long, but people were friendly and it gave you a chance to walk by the counters and decide what to order.  The corned beef was worth the wait. Continue reading →

The Roast Grill Hot Weiners, Raleigh, 3/29/22

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exterior – 7 S West St, Raleigh, NC 27603

The Roast Grill Hot Weiners has been serving hot dogs since 1940.  The tiny family-run spot serves only weiners and some Greek desserts along with a number of beer and soft drink options.  It is cash only.  Owner George Poniros and his wife Kathy are glad to be back in business after being shut down for over a year due to the Covid pandemic.   George’s grandparents started the place and there are pictures on the wall of them above the vintage register.  His 90 year old mother worked there until Covid hit and now she stays home.  The wall opposite the 10 seat counter has pictures of contest winners and regular patrons.  The weiners are grilled on the original grill and then topped with a chile made from a 100-year old recipe.  Wife Kathy makes the desserts.  Customers are family here and George knows how they want their weiners served.  It was a stop back in time to feel so welcome in a place and also be served some terrific food.  You can tell the pride the Poniros family has in the place and I urge you to visit if you get the chance. Continue reading →