There is much debate around the origins of the hot dog. It is globally renowned as a food of convenience: easy to grab on the go, munch at sporting events and serve up to friends and family at barbecues and parties. But where did it all begin? Although the hot dog is commonly associated with American culture, the sausage itself originated in Europe. Frankfurt in Germany claims the traditional hot dog sausage, known as the “frankfurter”, saying it’s been in production for over 500 years. However, in Vienna, Austria, where the sausage is known as the “wiener”, also alleges itself as the birthplace.
In reality, the famous North American hot dog was brought to the States by German immigrants, specifically to New York City’s Coney Island. In 1867, Charles L Feltman, who had emigrated from Germany in 1856, started selling sausages, known as “Coney Island red hots”, on his trademark bread roll at a stand on the boardwalk of the famous beach and amusement park in Brooklyn. Inspired by the frankfurter, the long bun allowed for greater ease in eating and consequently, the hot dog took off and became a meal associated with enjoyment and relaxation. “Feltman’s of Coney Island” became a household name and went from selling 4,000 dogs that first summer to 40,000 hot dogs a day years later following the expansion of the stand into a restaurant called Feltman’s Ocean Pavilion.
Decades later, as the First World War was roaring through Europe, Nathan Handwerker, a Polish immigrant and employee of the Feltman family business, opened his own shop in 1916 using a slightly different recipe, taken from his wife’s grandmother. He sold his hot dogs for a nickel compared to the Feltman’s rate of a dime. Nathan continued to create a competitive advantage for himself by introducing a Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, an event that still takes place today. Handwerker’s business acumen paved the way for international success, as today his products are sold in 55,000 supermarkets, retailers and restaurants in over 10 countries.
Due to the difficult economic climate of the mid-20th century, the original Feltman Frankfurter business was sold and eventually ceased operations in 1954, leaving Nathan as the sole hot dog vendor on Coney Island’s boardwalk. By that time, the concept had spread all over the United States. Several recipe variations had evolved in different parts of the country, including Arizona’s “Sonoran” dog, topped with bacon, pinto beans, mayonnaise and salsa. The highly popular sausage in a bun had earned its place as a national emblem.
Despite Feltman’s initial closure, the name was bought in 2015 by a Coney Island local with indirect links to the originator and reopened for business in the very same spot. Making some adjustments to the recipe, the Feltman name continues to live on.
