How A Polish Immigrant’s Nickel Hot Dogs Became the Most Famous Franks in the US

Nathan’s Famous

The smell hits you first. Grilled onions, beef, and that unmistakable Nathan’s spice mix that’s been the same for over 100 years.

Since 1916, this Coney Island stand has served the same beef franks with natural casing that snaps when you bite it.

Here’s how a nickel hot dog became a New York legend.

A $300 Risk

Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker started Nathan’s Famous in 1916 at Coney Island’s corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues. With just $300 saved up, Nathan and his wife Ida built a tiny hot dog stand with a small grill.

The Immigrant Who Created An American Icon

Nathan Handwerker was born in 1892 in Poland. One of 13 children in a poor Jewish family, he came to America in 1912 with only $25 hidden in his shoes.

He couldn’t read, write, or speak English when he arrived. Nathan first worked delivering food and washing dishes before getting a job at Feltman’s, where hot dogs on buns had become popular.

Five-Cent Hot Dogs That Changed The Game

Nathan sold hot dogs for just five cents – half the price of Feltman’s ten-cent hot dogs. This made people wonder if his meat was bad, but the low price brought crowds once they tried them.

Eddie Cantor and Jimmy Durante, who worked as singers at nearby restaurants, suggested this pricing.

The Secret Recipe

Nathan’s wife Ida created the hot dog recipe still used today. The secret spice mix came from Ida’s grandmother.

Unlike other sellers, Nathan used only beef in his hot dogs when most frankfurters had questionable ingredients. Many hot dogs then contained pork or even horse meat.

Nathan called his product “kosher style.” Though not officially kosher, they had no pork or horse meat, making them okay for many Jewish customers.

The “Doctors” Marketing Scheme

People were skeptical of Nathan’s cheap hot dogs until he thought of a clever trick. He hired men to wear white doctor coats while eating at his stand.

These men looked like doctors from the nearby hospital. When people walking by saw “doctors” enjoying the hot dogs, they figured they must be safe to eat.

The plan worked perfectly. Lines began forming as word spread about these tasty, cheap hot dogs that even doctors trust.

How Nathan’s Got Its Name

For five years, Nathan ran his business without an official name. People just knew it as the cheap hot dog stand at Surf and Stillwell.

In 1921, a regular customer suggested calling it “Nathan’s Famous.” The name stuck and became one of America’s best-known brands.

From Stand To Empire

Nathan’s son Murray joined the family business in 1946 after serving in World War II. Unlike his careful father, Murray wanted to grow bigger.

The first Nathan’s franchise opened on Long Island in 1959. A third restaurant followed in Yonkers in 1965, with a fourth in Times Square soon after.

Nathan’s Goes Public

Murray Handwerker became president in 1968 when Nathan’s Famous started selling stock to the public.

The stock did very well in the 1970s, reaching $41 per share. Investors thought the popular hot dog brand would keep growing.

By the early 1980s, sales slowed down. Nathan’s stock fell to just $1 per share in 1981. Despite pressure to change their focus, Murray stayed committed to hot dogs, helping the company recover.

The End Of A Family Era

The Handwerker family sold Nathan’s Famous to investors in 1987 for $19 million. The deal included all 20 restaurants they had at the time and the packaged food business.

The new owners expanded by letting others open Nathan’s restaurants, quickly growing throughout New York and beyond.

Nathan’s son Sol had already left in 1963 to start his own hot dog shop called Snacktime in Manhattan. The sale ended 71 years of family ownership but allowed the Nathan’s brand to grow nationwide.

The Fourth Of July Eating Contest

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has run yearly at the original location since the early 1970s. The first recorded contest happened on July 4, 1972, won by Jason Schechter who ate 14 hot dogs.

A popular story claims the contest began in 1916 when four immigrants competed to show who loved America most. But history suggests it actually started in the 1970s.

Now shown on ESPN with two million viewers yearly, contestants try to eat as many hot dogs as possible in 10 minutes. This publicity stunt became an American Fourth of July tradition.

Famous Fans And Presidential Service

President Franklin Roosevelt served Nathan’s hot dogs to England’s King and Queen during their 1939 visit.

Famous customers included gangster Al Capone, actress Clara Bow, and actor Cary Grant, who once worked at Nathan’s cooking fries. Grant reportedly took naps on potato sacks during his shifts.

First Lady Jackie Kennedy served Nathan’s hot dogs at White House events. In 1969, the New York City Opera even held its opening night party at Nathan’s, with fancy dressed guests eating hot dogs and fries.

Visiting Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog

The original Nathan’s Famous is at 1310 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, at the corner of Surf and Stillwell.

Best sellers include classic hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, and milkshakes. If you can, time your visit for the famous July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Read More on WhenInYourState.com:

• Remembering Classic Moments from 13 Iconic Hotels in New York City
• New York’s Historic Sugar Factory Is Now a Waterfront Hub for Luxury Condos & Offices
• The 15 Most Beautiful Buildings in New York City