The Skinny on Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs

frankfurters neonIt’s the 4th of July, the day thousands of New Yorkers celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by flocking to Coney Island and watching competitive eaters push an unspeakable quantity of hot dogs down their throats.  In the 2014 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Contest winner Joey “Jaws” Chestnut devoured 61 in 10 minutes.

I mean no disrespect to the eight-time champion by asserting his feat was not quite as impressive as it seems. Nathan’s Famous franks (frankfurters) just ain’t what they used to be. They’ve shrunk over the years by, I reckon, over 25 percent, mostly in their girth. I had two in five minutes last month at the original Coney Island location. They were shamefully skinny. There was little of the signature juice and none of celebrated snap.

nathans skinny dog
Back in my 20s I had a recurring Coney Island dream: I would close my eyes for a moment, then reopen them to see the world’s playground in its heyday. All the vanished arcades, rides and funhouses would be back. A Nathan’s frank would cost five cents. My grandfather would buy me two, when one was plenty.

old nathans

Now I have a new dream: I close my eyes for a moment, then reopen them to see the Nathan’s incredible shrinking hot dog restored to its original, plump size. I buy two – one for my son and one for me. With our first bites the natural casing enclosing the franks breaks open. The plump hot dogs explode with juices and, we, with happiness.

8 Comments

  1. Sylvia

    Really disappointed with the shrunken dog, no more snap, not worth eating. The dog disappears in the bun. It’s 1.5 ounces -really now!!! It’s as skinny as my index finger& I m a woman. Afraid to put onions, relish, & kraut cuz there would be no hot dog to find at all.
    What have you done ?
    You are now the skinniest hot dog sold. Even Oscar Myers has you beat ans I’ve never eaten one of those.

    Reply
    • Daniel Young

      Thanks for your message, Sylvia. I agree: skinny dogs like these have no snap, no
      juice. In shrinking their Frank’s the thrill is gone.

      Reply
  2. Steve Langer

    Thank goodness we have a local butcher shop in town that makes wonderful frankfurters. You can get either all beef or beef and pork blend. Bye, bye Nathans.

    Reply
    • Daniel Young

      Lucky you, Steve! Where are you located?

      Reply
  3. Virgil Haplea

    Why not just raise the price, everyone will understand that. But you shrink the hotdog? Now you have to put 2 in one bun. We aren’t stupid. Very bad business decision.

    Reply
  4. Larry roman

    Thank goodness White Castle can’t shrink their hamburgers anymore or you wouldn’t see them

    Reply
  5. Ron

    Finally found a source for Nathan’s old fashioned natural casing hot dogs. Got a case. Not like the Nathan’s I used to get. Skinny, salty, greasy.

    Reply
  6. dansyoung

    So sad it’s come to this, Ron. Thanks for letting us know.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Post

Growing Up With the Joe Allen Burger

As a lad, my father would take me to eat at Joe Allen, the enduring West Side gathering place in New York's Theatre District. He invariably ordered us burgers and not because it was the restaurant's least expensive main dish. Most of the Broadway personalities seated...

read more

Music to Make Pizza By

The longest hour of my life consisted of 60 interminable minutes waiting for a couple of slices at Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn. Years before he turned 80, pizza legend Dom DeMarco worked at a pace all his own. On a return visit earlier this month I didn't watch the...

read more

BRING YOUNG & FOODISH HOME

As a member of the Young & Foodish community, you’ll hear about our latest food discoveries, recipes, videos, live sessions, product recommendations, parties and at-home events. We’ll help you lead a more foodish life.

Welcome to the Young & Foodish community.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This