Nathan's Famous Hot-dogs: A Childhood Memory Arrives In My Neighborhood At Wal-marts No Less
Written: May 01 '05 (Updated May 02 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The Hot Dogs are still great
Cons: No Fried clams served
The Bottom Line: The Hot Dogs are still served on warm buns and with warm sauerkraut at your request...Try the New Mini Franksters (corn dogs). Kids love them.
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| ifif1938's Full Review: Nathan's Famous |
When I was growing up in Brooklyn it was always a treat to go to Coney Island which was just a few miles from where we lived…Of course any visit to that very special amusement park and beach wouldn’t have been complete without stopping for lunch or a snack at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs for a dog with lots of sauerkraut, some fries and a coke. Sometimes I would even get a dish of Fried Clams at the new clam bar after one of their new expansions on the site...To this day I think that is why I have always loved that particular clam dish..But my favorite was, and still is, the hot dogs with a schmer of mustard, and that delicious, crunchy, warm sauerkraut.
Until recently it was hard to find one of those dogs except in a few malls, that are nowhere near my house, or, on the Florida turnpike. Each time when traveling on that busy road when I would see one of Nathan’s signs I would always want stop for one of my favorite childhood food memories, that is, until now.
I’ve never been much of a Wal-Mart customer but when I heard that new Nathan’s restaurant franchises were going to be opening in select locations in South Florida I was extremely please to find out that one store, just 10 minutes from my house, was going to be one of those locations…Friday, when the restaurant opened I was there with my appetite in tow and I was not disappointed.
When I decided to write this review I did a bit of research and found some very interesting historic tidbits about the Original Nathan’s which I thought I’d share since I thought them fascinating and another testament to one mans ingenuity and his fulfillment of an American dream of success.
Nathan Handwerker, born in Poland in 1892, immigrated to America in 1912 where he found a job working at a restaurant on Coney Island. Within 4 years, in 1916, this industrious man opened his hot dog stand near by featuring a special hot dog recipe created by his girlfriend Ida with only $300 that he borrowed from two of his close friends Jimmy Durante and Eddie Cantor. Soon he began serving Coca Cola and to this day Nathan’s is Coca Cola’s oldest business client.
A few years later, in 1918, Nathan’s was discovered by the infamous gangster Al Capone who became one of their biggest fans, making repeated visits when he went to Coney Island for whatever reason. Maybe he went just to sun himself on the beach or for the rides, though I seriously doubt that.
In 1924 another famous customer, Archie Leach, had a small job wearing an advertising sign for Coney Islands new ride, the Steeple Chase...During that time he too discovered Nathan’s and when he went on to become Hollywood’s newest star, better known as Cary Grant, he telegraphed Nathan’s to say he missed those dogs.
In 1933, Nathan’s became even more popular when they served free beer to celebrate the demise of Prohibition…In 1939 Franklin Roosevelt served Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs to the King and Queen of England when they visited the White House.
Then, in 1946 the famous clam bar opened when Nathan’s expanded to become a much larger restaurant…Other locations followed during the next few decades and the rest is history.
Now Nathan’s operations can be found in many locations throughout the USA, everywhere from long Island to Times Square and in many airports, shopping centers and now Wal-Mart’s. In South and Central Florida there are 8 franchises in those super stores, all newly built restaurants on the premises, and it wouldn’t surprise me if more followed.
So, what do they serve you might ask? Well, of course, first and foremost are their very Famous Hot dogs in two sizes, the regular size and a larger size served on a warm bun for the low price of just $2.09 and $2.55 for the bigger dog, but if you have a larger appetite you can buy a complete meal which includes French fries and a drink for only $4.29 or $5.29.These can be served with sauerkraut at your request at no additional charge or you can add cheese, or chili for just $.50 more..or you could add both for only a dollar more.
But, there is much more on the menu now, including Burgers, Cheeseburgers, Buffalo wings, and Pizza, plain or with pepperoni. Even if you are on a diet there are meals you can choose. Like the char-grilled chicken sandwich or even one of the 4 salads on the menu, from a plain garden salad to Caesar and a chicken Caesar, all of the above at reasonable cost in the $4.00 to $6.00 price range.
Another favorite treat, especially for kids, are the Hot Dog Nugget meals, "The Franksters" similar to mini corn dogs for only $3.99 and $4.99, also served with French Fries and a drink. If for some reason you are craving just French fries those are available also as as al-a-carte dish for $1.49 and $1.99 and, if you want some cheese on that just order the cheese fries for only $.50 more.
If you have a sweet tooth or just want a snack you can find a little something to nosh on at Nathan’s since they now serve hot pretzels with your choice of having them sprinkled with salt or cinnamon for just $1.99…and, one of my favorite goodies is available as well in the form of warm mini Crispy Critters chocolate Chip cookies for $2.09.
Assorted sodas, even lemonade, round out the drink selection at these fast food favorite restaurants, and, in Miami only, you will find Cuban pastries, for the huge Latin market in the area, along with Café Cubano, Cappuccino and Café con Leche. All drinks in the price range of $.50 for the Cuban coffee to $1.49 for the large Lemonade.
No, this is not your high end epicurean place to dine but for a quick fast food meal, Brooklyn style, you can’t go wrong at Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs now serving them up in the biggest of all stores, Wal-Mart’s…These dogs even make me want to shop there, well almost!
Recommended:
Yes
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