Nathan's FAMOUS They've gone through changes, but the Hot Dogs Haven't
Written: Dec 17 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Consistently good hot dogs and the best fries anywhere.
Cons: Consistently, inconsistent prices.
The Bottom Line: Nathan's has expanded and moved out to over a thousand branches. The Hot Dogs remain the same. The BEST!!
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Nathan's Famous |
You can still go down to Coney Island and get one of Nathan's FAMOUS hot dogs. Just expect to pay considerably more than the original 5 cents they charged when they opened in 1916.
As a teen I can say I have had those dogs served at, what was for many years, until 1959, the only location they were in, Coney Island. No, I was not a teen in 1916. I visited somewhere in the late 1960's when dating my, one day to be, wife. We would go down to the play lands and do the rides there. I always had to stop at the Nathan's for one of their world famous Hot dogs.
Nathan's today is no longer a hot dog stand that sells just hot dogs, fries, corn on the cob, and assorted seafoods in a few NY locations. Nathan's has gone on an aggressive campaign of growth. They now have over 1,400 outlets. They are in airports, colleges, convention centers, convenience stores and for a number of years have been in Home Depot stores.
For a while I was working in a Home Depot Store on Long Island, in Elmont. This big guy was delighted when they opened a Nathan's right inside the store. I would always be seeking the two for one coupons that were advertised and I enjoyed many a "fine" hot dog meal.
I could always count on the sauerkraut and relish to be well stocked. This outlet also had chopped onions. Not all do. I would order my dogs with a large portion of, what I think of as the best fries in the world, sit down and enjoy my lunch time reading a news paper.
I find that the Nathan's outlets are well maintained. The tables are cleaned. I have to say that the condiment stations are NOT always well stocked. I hesitate at times to reach down to the lower half of the relish bin to apply the great tasting stuff to my hot dog.
I do find a pretty large discrepancy in the prices from place to place. It is always important to be looking for specials in the papers.
I have been to a few of the Nathan's in the Depot's I remember taking a break coming home from Buffalo on my way to New York coming from an out of town job. Ha, we stopped in Albany at a Home Depot and stocked up with a few dogs and fries. That gave us the energy to finish our travels home to Long Island.
Nathan's has now begun acquiring other food franchises and doing more business putting them out at their own point of sale or combining under the same roof with Nathan's. I have seen these in some of the rest/gas station stops on the Jersey Turnpike.
These places I have found are very well maintained. Well stocked and clean!!
Nathan's, in recent years, has acquired Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips, Kenny Roger's Roasters, and Miami Subs. I haven't seen or tried a Miami Sub just yet. The other two I am familiar with and they are good.
Back in the early sixties my parents would pile us all in a car and drive a short distance to Wetson's. At the time it was THE Hamburger place to go to. I don't even remember knowing the names McDonald's or Burger King yet. Wetsons fries were good and their shakes were the absolute best. Wetsons was taken over by Nathan's and then disappeared. What ever happened to Wetson's? Does anybody remember the one on Old Country Road and Levittown Parkway? I want a Wetson's shake now!!
I do hope that Nathan's does well with their new family food brands. Nathan's seems to be doing some very aggressive marketing and the few places I have visited look good.
Before these recent years Nathan's had just one location for about forty years. In about 1955 they made their first move. One of the son's took over a popular Oceanside place called the Roadside Rest. This oversized, Spanish stucco, architecture building was noted as an entertainment place that had many big band acts drawing huge crowds. It was located on the cross roads to and from Jones Beach, Long Beach and NYC.
The young Nathan brought the Hot Dog franchise to this location. And what a spot this was for many years. Entertainment for kids was shown on a stage area at the back end of this huge open area. Picnic tables were in long rows. This place was a huge hang out. There was no pressure to purchase your hot dogs. Nathan's just kept the kids and adults entertained with clowns, puppet shows and big name entertainment. This continued for years into the 1970's. Finally the building that was first put up sometime in the 1920's under the pressures of time and newer air conditioned establishments saw the wreckers ball. What a sad day that was.
In the mid to late sixties I first started going to Nathan's in Oceanside. It was a "Right of passage". I had my 1959 Chevy Impala, convertible, white with red interior and every Friday night from work we would all pile in and make our way to Nathan's Roadside. No seat belts these days. Some sat on the back of the back seat and the radio was blasting.
Nathan's was THE place to be. Kid's from all over the island hung out there. I don't remember any kinds of problems. It was just a "cool" place to be. Bikers and owners of "hot rods" would come down and show their bright chrome. Some guys would bring guitars and just start playing. Guys and gals from all over met and made friendships. It was the place to be and be seen.
Nathan's, at this location, still was not a true fast food establishment. You had to go on line at different places to order. Hot dogs in one place. Fries one at another. Frog legs, ipwhich clam sandwiches, and lobster at still another. Corn on the cob was separate and so was the clam bar.
Upon arriving to Nathan's the first thing we all did was break up and go and order what we liked.
Through work and common friends I met a guy by the name "Butch" Skotch. He and I clicked. On Friday nights we would pool some of our money and go to the different stands and then get back together at a table to eat before going adventuring of seeing which girls were around or whatever may be. We had a brief friendship. A year or so later he was drafted and went to Vietnam. He didn't make it through the war. I remember the shock I felt when I saw his picture in our newspaper saying he was killed in action. I look for his name every time I visit the Vietnam Memorial in DC. I remember some really great times at Nathan's we had "growing up". Unfortunately "Butch" had to grow up too soon. He remains a hero to me.
When they tore down this Oceanside location they rebuilt another Nathan's very close to the original site. The parking for over a thousand cars is no longer there it's now a strip mall. Neither is the charm. Only the memories remain.
You can still join in a bit of fun, at this location, on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I have to say in the summer. I haven't been there in the colder months. Every Tuesday many bikers converge on Nathan's. Wednesday is the day of classic cars. These vehicles bring me back to the years I was "hangin' out" there. I have to laugh. One of the "classic" cars I have seen is a 1959 Chevy Impala. I actually owned two.
Today Nathan's has everything at one station. I have found that prices vary greatly and so do the offerings. Hot dogs and fries are always there. On both you can add melted cheddar cheese. Hod dogs have the option of chili too. I don't like the stuff. Not tasty at all and ruins the true taste of a Nathan's Famous dog.
Burgers can be found at most locations. You will have to wait a bit. They are Charbroiled and good.
I also miss the Times Square location of Nathan's. It used to dominate a corner and as hard a choice it was, I would have the Nathan's hot dog over the corner cart hot dog guys. Ha, many cart guys these days, sell Nathan's dogs.
Nathan's onion rings are crispy outside and soft in. Be careful sometimes they are too hot inside.
You can also get chicken tenders, fish fillets and soups and salads. Never liked the salads.
They also have kids menus. Again, prices differ from location to location.
All in all I go to Nathan's for one reason only. That is for the hot dogs and thick fries, no ketchup please.
These are part of my staple of life. I don't get to Nathan's as often as I would like but, as far as being a fast food place, I give it five stars! "Ya gotta love those dogs!!"
Other Long Island Restaurant Chains and eateries.
Romano's MACARONI GRILL
OUTBACK Restaurant
Cheesecake Factory
Cozymel's
Wendy's
The White Castle
KFC
Cold Stone Creamery
Freeport's Nautical Mile
Rachel's Waterside Grill
Cafe By the Sea Dining and wonderful desserts. Some fun entertainment too!
Otto's Sea Grill Fine dining or partying on the canal
Ralph's Famous Italian IcesThey are on Freeport's Nautical Mile and elsewhere across the Island
Recommended:
Yes
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