In the world of hot dogs, sometimes bigger isn’t necessarily better, especially if you’re familiar with the pint-sized sausages considered iconic in upstate New York’s Albany region. The area around the state’s capital city, like much of the Northeast, was home to millions of Europeans who had emigrated in the early 20th century and brought their love of sausages with them from home. The next step seemed obvious: Entrepreneurs opened Americanized updates on the classic: hot dog joints that served as a quick lunch and a nostalgic trip to the past.
Many have endured: Purveyors like Famous Lunch, Hot Dog Charlie’s, and Gus’s have been around for more than 75 years, and while prices have changed a little, the recipes and vibes have not. The dogs, which average about three inches long, are usually grilled and served on a special-size bun topped with mustard, diced raw onion, and a meat-based chili sauce. The taste and “snap” of the dog is similar to a classic Ball Park Frank, but the two-bite size is both unexpected and fun to eat.
The exact origin story of the hot dog’s size is murky, but Helmbold’s, a Troy-based butcher with German roots, is credited with creating the miniature version in the early 20th century. What may have started as a novelty soon became an indispensable food tradition in the Albany area, and although it’s just a theory, some say that the smaller-sized franks also made for an affordable snack, which helped skyrocket their popularity during the tight times of the Great Depression.
Meet Upstate New York’s Hot Dog Landmarks
Founded more than a century ago and now with three locations in the Capital Region, Hot Dog Charlie’s is often touted as the original. Sibling owners Florence Dimitriadis and Charles Fentekes say their family has a storied history slingling hot dogs. “Our grandfather Strates Fenetekes started the place as New Way Lunch in 1922,” says Dimitriadis. “We were the first ones. When he passed away, my father took over, then eventually my brother and I took over.” According to company lore, the original Fentekes was known to line up the mini hot dogs on his forearm by the dozen, where they would then be dressed in mustard, onions, and his proprietary sauce. Need proof? Check out the affectionately dubbed “hairy arm” technique captured in old photos decorating the walls of each Hot Dog Charlie’s location…