Nathan’s Famous

LOVE AT FIRST BITE

2019-05-27T19:00:00-05:00

Nathan’s Famous at the 2019 National Restaurant Association Centennial Celebration

Interested in becoming a part of the Nathan’s Famous Family?

Nathan’s Famous is Now Serving in the UK!

2019-02-16T18:00:00-06:00

The new restaurant has received fantastic reviews and a lot of buzz. The restaurant shows off our new, contemporary look and design scheme, new menu boards and crew uniforms, as well as a self-ordering kiosk. The menu in this college town consists of our world famous hot dogs and fries, burgers, chicken sandwiches, tenders and wings, cheesesteaks, salads, expanded dessert items and beverages including our lemonade. Stop in for a visit!

Nathan’s Sets a Guinness World Record

2018-10-18T19:00:00-05:00

Nathan’s just opened on the Naval base in Rota, Spain. Nathan’s has partnered with NEXCOM to open a 1,000 sq ft unit in the new food court located in the Air Terminal. Naval, Air Force, and Marine troops and military personnel can enjoy Nathan’s world-famous hot dogs, crinkle cut fries, burgers, chicken, cheesesteaks, Arthur Treacher’s seafood and more! Thank you to the men and women proudly serving in our military!

Nathan’s Famous Proudly Serving our Troops in Spain!

2018-10-14T19:00:00-05:00

The Hot Dog Eating Contest: A Tale as Tall as 73 Hot Dogs

2017-06-17T19:00:00-05:00

Legend has it that on July 4, 1916, four immigrants gathered at the very first Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand in Coney Island and made eating contest history. As the story goes, they were competing to see who was the most patriotic. How did they determine the winner? With a hot dog-eating contest, of course!

So that’s how the Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest came to be held at our original Coney Island location every Independence Day since the first recorded contest in 1972.

And that’s why, at Nathan’s Famous, we believe there’s no better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than watching world-champion eaters down as many Nathan’s Natural Casing hot dogs as they possibly can in 10 minutes. In honor of the upcoming 101st annual contest, here are a few more interesting facts about the competition.

Did You Know? Fun Facts About the Hot Dog Eating Contest:

The Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest attracts over 40,000 fans each year and is broadcast on ESPN to nearly two million viewers.

The reigning champ, Joey Chestnut, holds the world record for the most hot dogs eaten at 73. That’s equivalent to about 16 pounds, or as much as 42 billiard balls!

Chestnut consumed over 12,000 calories in less than 10 minutes when he set the record in 2013. That’s as much as four Thanksgiving dinners!

Many competitive eaters, like those competing in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, practice stretching out their stomachs for the main event by drinking gallons of milk or water very quickly, or by downing lots of filling, fibrous foods like watermelon and oatmeal in a matter of minutes.

But three-time winner for the women’s bracket Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas doesn’t practice for competitions at all! She attributes her impressive eating abilities to natural talent.

Winners of the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest have eaten a total of 1,509 Nathan’s Famous beef franks since the first recorded contest in 1972. That’s about 330 pounds!

If you laid all the hot dogs that past champs have eaten end to end, they would stretch around a baseball diamond 2.175 times!

Despite consuming mass quantities of high-calorie foods during competition season, most professional competitive eaters are very fit. Many contestants weight train and exercise vigorously to build muscle and increase their metabolism. Most also eat healthy, low-calorie diets after competitions. Why? Because their stomachs are so stretched out, they can no longer tell when they’re full!

Ever wonder why the contestants of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, like 2015 winner Matt Stonie, jump around and wiggle their bodies while inhaling as many hot dogs as they can handle? They’re trying to encourage the food to slide easily down the esophagus and settle compactly in their stomachs.

Will Chestnut the Champ Reign Again?

Over the years, we’ve had some pretty impressive contestants. But none deserve that mustard-golden badge of honor more than one Joey Chestnut, who not only holds the record for most hot dogs eaten at a whopping 73 franks, but has also held the title of reigning champ a total of nine times—eight consecutive years from 2007 to 2014 and again in 2016.

If not for the 2015 upset by Matt Stonie, Chestnut would have held the title for almost a solid decade! How many dogs do you think Chestnut can eat this year? Tune in this Fourth of July to find out, and raise your franks up high to the reigning champ!

Boost Your Backyard Grill Out With a Bacon Hot Dog Topping Bar

2017-05-15T19:00:00-05:00

Cookout season is firing up and this year, we have a new twist on patriotic party fare. Pair two of America’s favorite flavors – hot dogs and bacon – and serve up a bacon hot dog topping bar your family and friends will be crazy about!

Embellish your fresh-off-the-grill Nathan’s Famous franks with these ideas for a hot dog topping bar filled with mouthwatering Smithfield bacon five ways:

1. Mustard Glazed Strips

How about enjoying this classic hot dog condiment in a new way? Spoon some Nathan’s Deli Style Mustard over black pepper bacon as it cooks. Fan out the finished glazed strips in a glorious bacon bouquet for easy grabbing. They’ll lay perfectly alongside that delicious Nathan’s Famous frank nestled in the bun.

2. Cheesy Crumbles

Few things go together like bacon and cheese. Crumble up some crispy smoked bacon and toss with shredded cheddar cheese or get fancy with a bacon and blue cheese option.

3. Barbecue Glazed Strips

Bacon glazed with barbecue sauce – need we say more? Deep South inspired, this one’s sure to be a big hit with bold flavor enthusiasts. Just brush a little of your favorite BBQ sauce over bacon strips as it sizzles.

4. Chopped Bacon, Onions and More

Think stadium-style dogs with a twist. Toss some thick-cut chopped bacon with fresh-diced onions. Add in some classic relish too, if you like.

5. Brown Sugar Sprinkled

A little sweet, a little salty – brown sugar glazed bacon is the perfect sweet and savory combo. And it’s so easy! Just sprinkle a little brown sugar over the bacon and cook until crisp and glazed.

Famous Tip

Keep things simple by serving all this delectable bacon in decorative mason jars and bowls. Identify each topping with these festive labels you can secure to the jar with ribbon, twine or wooden clothes pins. Jars too deep and narrow for serving the crumbles? Try bowls with a serving spoon.

With the All-American scent of Nathan’s Famous franks wafting through the air and all that bacon magic, be prepared for some neighborhood party crashers. Better pick up an extra pack of Nathan’s – and Smithfield bacon!

Have some bacon topping ideas of your own? Get creative! Whatever bacon toppings you serve up, you’re sure to make great memories – and maybe a new summer kickoff tradition that will last for years.

7 Clever Alternatives to the Classic Hot Dog Bun

2017-05-01T19:00:00-05:00

So you love franks but you’re looking for a way to switch things up. We all love that classic hot dog bun, but why not try a tasty new idea? Or seven?

From salty pretzel rolls to sweet waffles, get ready to be inspired beyond the bun.

No-Bun Fun Idea #1: Dog in a Blanket

Love pigs in a blanket? You’ll love their jumbo-sized counterparts.

Swap the Bun for: a Crescent Roll

Famous Tip: For cheesy goodness, try starting with Nathan’s Famous Cheddar Cheese Beef Franks or add a slice of your favorite cheese before wrapping your hot dog in the roll.

The Recipe:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Wrap each hot dog in the dough for one crescent roll. Place in a casserole dish, a roasting pan or a rimmed baking tray.
Cook for 12-15 minutes, watching closely to make sure the rolls don’t burn.
Serve ‘em up hot!

No-Bun Fun Idea #2: Pretzel Dog

Torn between a salty, soft pretzel and a hot dog? Then you’ll think this one’s really wonderful.

Swap the Bun for: a Pretzel Roll or Stick

The Recipe:

Slice your pretzel rolls or sticks the best way to accommodate a frank.
Grill, oven roast or fry your hot dogs.
Warm the rolls.
Put them together and top with your favorite mustard, tangy cheese, pickles, or, if you’re into it, sauerkraut.

No-Bun Fun Idea #3: Le Fancy Franc

Dress up your franks with a little French flare.

Swap the Bun for: a Crusty Baguette

The Recipe:

Slice a baguette to frank size, then cut into it length-wise so it opens like a bun. Warm it slightly.
Cook the frank your favorite way. Wondering how to cook the perfect hot dog? Read our tips.
Assemble your hot dog and baguette and top with Dijon mustard. Do you have any Grey Poupon?

No-Bun Fun Idea #4: The Fiesta Dog

Spice up your traditional frank with this unexpected flavor combo. ¡Delicioso!

Swap the Bun for: a Soft Tortilla

The Recipe:

Cook your dog your favorite way. Here are our favorite methods.
Warm the tortillas. Microwave in 30 second bursts until warmed through, or wrap the tortillas in foil and cook 10-15 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees.
Wrap your hot dog like a burrito.
Top with a fiesta of flavors like salsa, guacamole or chipotle mayo.

Famous Tip: For a kid-friendly version that also travels well, try a cool tortilla and slice of American cheese. Roll the frank inside. Leave whole or slice for packable hot dog pinwheels!

No-Bun Fun Idea #5: Old Country Dog

Channel the Deep South with your next hot dog dinner.

Swap the Bun for: Cornbread

The Recipe:

Pan fry your hot dog with a dab of butter. (Get our tips to cook up hot dog perfection!)
Bake or warm your favorite cornbread. Savory or sweet? They’re both great with a Nathan’s Famous frank. As far as the form? Mini loaves work best, sliced long ways.
Place the hot dog between two slices of cornbread. Top with BBQ sauce for even more sweet, smoky flavor. Then serve with baked beans and coleslaw. Or if you’re a true Southerner, okra and cheese grits.

Famous Tip: Cornbread crumbly? Try slicing up the franks and serving them over the crumbled bread instead!

No-Bun Fun Idea #6: Franks & Waffles

Are you a fan of chicken and waffles? Well then take a bite of this breakfast frank next time you wake up good and hungry – or anytime you want to indulge in a sweet and savory treat.

Swap the Bun for: a Waffle (or Pancake)

The Recipe:

Prepare your favorite waffles or pancakes.
Prepare your favorite waffles or pancakes. Cook your frank the best way you know how. Get our hot dog cooking tips.
Cradle your dog in the waffle or pancake and enjoy plain or top with breakfast goodness. Can’t get enough sweet and savory? Add a strip of bacon and drizzle with syrup. Prefer salty over sweet? Load up your dog with scrambled eggs and finish with a classic: ketchup. It’s sure to wake up your taste buds!

No-Bun Fun Idea #7: Meat Lovers Pizza Dog

Blow your kid’s mind with the best of both worlds: hot dogs and pizza. Together at last! They’ll love this and they’ll love you!

Swap the Bun for: Pizza Crust

The Recipe:

Prepare a pizza crust according to your recipe or the package instructions. The only difference is that instead of a big, round shape, you’ll want to slice it into strips sized well to cradle a hot dog.
Cook the hot dogs your favorite way.
Use the crust as you would a bun and then top your hot dogs with your favorite pizza toppings, like pepperoni and shredded mozzarella. If you like, pop the finished dog, crust and all, in the oven or microwave just long enough to melt all the ingredients to cheesy, pizza-y perfection. It’s Amore!

Famous Tip: Set out a toppings bar and let your kids build their own pizza dogs! It’s a perfect party meal solution, too.

It’s a Hit! How to Make Stadium-Style Hot Dogs at Home

2017-04-22T19:00:00-05:00

As the official hot dog of Major League Baseball, we couldn’t be more excited for the start of the season—and those delicious stadium franks, of course! For decades, the Nathan’s Famous original all-beef frank has been the official hot dog of many teams around the league.

Sure, you can enjoy the classic experience of a Nathan’s hot dog at the ballgame while cheering on your favorite team. But here’s the real game changer: you can also go to your local grocery and get everything you need to make a stadium-style hot dog right at home.

Here’s how to achieve big-league perfection.

The Perfect Stadium-Style Hot Dog

Ingredients:

These measurements will serve one family. For bigger get-togethers, double or triple the recipe!

1 pack of Nathan’s Famous Beef Franks
1 pack of fresh hot dog buns
1 tablespoon butter
Tin foil
Your trusty skillet
Your favorite condiments like sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup and relish

Directions:

For the perfectly crisped dog, fill a cast iron skillet (or stovetop grill pan) with enough water to barely cover the bottom of the pan. Heat it to medium high heat. Then cook until the water begins to evaporate. Add your Nathan’s franks to the pan and steam until the water boils off completely.
Give your steamed hot dogs an extra rich and flavorful crisp by adding a pat or two of butter and pan-frying them until the skin begins to blister.
Grab the tongs and plop your newly steamed and pan-fried hot dogs into a fresh, fluffy bun. Immediately wrap them up in tin foil and place them back in the pan. Turn the heat to low. Cover for about 2 minutes and let the steam soften the bun for that perfect stadium-style dog.
Now for the condiments! Try our tangy Nathan’s New York Cut Sauerkraut with some Nathan’s mustard for a classic New York flavor just like the beef franks we serve at stadiums. While we believe there’s a right and wrong way to cook a stadium-style hot dog, how you top it – that’s up to you!

Pro Tip: For maximum home-run flavor, try pan frying your hot dogs instead of boiling them to keep all the juicy flavor inside.

Looking for double the real-deal flavor? Try our Nathan’s Famous Jumbo Crinkle Cut French Fries. They’re a sure-bet sidekick to your Nathan’s stadium-style hot dog.

6 Ideas for Hosting a Grand Slam Baseball Party

2017-03-30T19:00:00-05:00

Looking for a way to recreate that baseball stadium magic right in your own backyard? It’s easy! All you need is a grill, enough Nathan’s Famous to feed a crowd, and a few other key supplies to host the perfect Opening Day or baseball party.

Grab your cap and get ready for a home run. Follow these Opening Day must-haves and you’ll be famous for parties faster than your guests can belt out “Take Me Out to the Ball Game!”

1. Follow the pennants to the food

Label all your delicious goodies with mini pennants in bright, nostalgic colors. Use toothpicks, bamboo skewers or popsicle sticks and these fun, free fanfare pennant printables by Nathan’s Famous.

2. Buy ‘em some peanuts and cracker jacks

For a fun and functional decoration or table centerpiece, grab some galvanized buckets or tin pails in your team’s colors and fill them with peanuts in the shell, stadium style. Surround them with those iconic red, white, and blue boxes of Cracker Jacks, and you have the perfect decoration for that all-American Opening Day feel.

3. Serve traditional stadium fare

Giant soft pretzels with cheese, spicy nachos, and, of course, traditional stadium franks—these are the makings of summer memories. Grill your Nathan’s Famous hot dogs for that smoky stadium flavor, and serve them up hot with all the classic condiments and fixings, like onions, pickle relish, spicy peppers, and mustard.

4. Get your icy cold drinks here!

What goes better with a steaming hot frank than an ice cold bottled beverage? Keep the vintage stadium feel with glass bottles of your favorite drinks served in big coolers or buckets of ice.

5. Serve it baseball-style

Serve up all that delicious sweet and salty baseball park fare in red plastic baskets, just like they do at the stadium. Planning a sit-down dinner? Felt or fabric cut into the shape of home plate make excellent place mats for a perfect baseball themed table. Then for chargers, keep it simple and nostalgic with basic white paper plates (or draw baseball stitches on them with red marker if you want a little something extra).

6. Prizes for the best guesser

Add an extra something to the party by placing a friendly bet on the outcome of the game. Offer a small prize, like a gift basket of Nathan’s or your favorite team’s baseball cap, to the guest who comes closest to guessing the final score of the game.

How to Make the Perfect Hot Dog Nathan’s Style

2017-03-15T19:00:00-05:00

Over the past 100 years, we’ve learned a thing or two about how to cook up the perfect hot dog, and we’d love to share some of our hot dog know-how with you.

Now we know your kitchen probably isn’t equipped with a dual-temperature, industrial flat top grill like the one at our original Coney Island restaurant. But that’s OK! Nathan’s Famous hot dogs can be just as delicious at home. Here’s how to cook the perfect hot dog.

Step 1. Picking Makes Perfect

The first step, of course, is to start with the best: a Nathan’s. Pick your favorite from our lineup, whether it’s Original Skinless Beef Franks, Bun-Length Skinless Beef Franks, or any of our other delicious Nathan’s Famous hot dogs. They’re all 100% beef, with no artificial flavors and no by-products.

Step 2. Cook It!

From pan frying, to grilling, to oven, to dare we say it, even microwaving, there are countless ways to cook a dog, but which one’s the most delicious?

The good news is that no matter how you cook it, you can enjoy a piping hot, mouthwatering Nathan’s hot dog. Pick your cooking method and we’ll give you our top tips from there.

Pan Frying on the Stove

Love a crispy outside on your frank? Pan frying hot dogs browns them up just right.

Add water to a skillet or frying pan. Cover the surface with half an inch of water.
Turn the heat on medium-high. Heat the pan until the water starts to boil off.
Gently add the hot dogs. You’ll only want to cook a few at a time with this method.
Steam them. Roll the hot dogs frequently to get them browned on all sides.

Famous Tip: Want a more decadent flavor? Swap out the water for a generous dab of butter or a few tablespoons of oil.

Serve. Use tongs or a fork to remove the hot dogs. Then enjoy!

Famous Tip: For a rich and toasty bun to pair with your frank, try this trick.

After you take the hot dogs out of the pan, turn off the heat and place the buns face down in the leftover juices. Let them simmer for about 45 seconds.

On the Grill

Grilling gives your hot dog that smoky, summer flavor you just can’t get any other way. Plus, no pots and pans to clean! Home run.

1. Turn on your grill.You want one side of your grill to be more hot and one more cool. If you have a charcoal grill, stack more coals on one side. If you have a gas grill, adjust the knob settings accordingly.

2. Cook the hot dogs on the cooler side of the grill so that they can heat through without burning on the outside. You’re looking for that perfect brownish-red color.

Famous Tip: Lay the dogs at an angle for that beautiful, diagonal char mark that makes your mouth water.

3. Cook one minute on each side.

4. Move the hot dogs to the hot side of the grill. If your hot dogs haven’t developed that delicious-looking, deep brown color, move them to the hot side of the grill and keep them rolling until they’re looking perfect.

5. Serve. Take your hot dogs off the grill, dress them up your way and dig in!

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy loved Nathan's dogs, and served them at the White House. The only question is: did she grill, boil or roast?

In the Oven

Oven-roasting hot dogs is a great alternative to grilling because you can brown them like you can on the grill. Craving a juicy, grilled hot dog in winter? The oven is the next best thing!

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Put your hot dogs in a pan or tray.You can use a casserole dish, a roasting pan or even a baking tray (as long as it has a rim for catching juices). Line the dish with foil for extra easy cleanup.

3. Cook for 15 minutes. Keep an eye on your dogs. You’ll know they’re done when you see them begin to brown and curl just a bit. Can’t you just hear the sizzle?

Famous Tip: Turn on the broiler if you like your dogs extra crispy.

4. Serve. Take your hot dogs out of the oven, top them and enjoy!

In the Microwave

The best thing about microwaving hot dogs is that you can have one ready to go in under a minute.

1. Prep your frank. Wrap it in a paper towel and place it directly in the microwave or put the hot dog on a plate and cover it with a paper towel. The paper towel traps the moisture that escapes from the hot dog as it cooks, keeping it nice and juicy.

Cooking more than one? Lay them side by side on a plate and cover them all with a paper towel. Just make sure to leave a little space in between so they cook evenly.

Famous Tip: It’s a myth that you need to fork your frank first. Actually, piercing it lets the delicious juices escape so your dog dries out.

2. Cook on high. Start at 40 or 50 seconds for one frank. For each additional, add about 20 seconds.

3. Check in. When time is up, check to see if they’re warmed up all the way through. If not, microwave them another 30 seconds and test one again. Repeat until your hot dog is cooked to perfection.

4. Carefully remove your frank. You’re so close! Just be careful as you remove your hot dog. Trapped steam can burn.

5. Serve. Top it and take a bite!

Famous Tip: For a warm, fluffy bun, microwave it separately for 10 to 15 seconds.

Boiling

Looking for the best way to how to boil a hot dog? Honestly we just don’t recommend it. We didn’t back in 1916 when Nathan Handwerker started it all, and we still don’t today.

When you boil a Nathan’s, all that special flavor rushes out into the water. And let’s be frank: who wants to eat a watered-down hot dog?

Step 3. Top That

Want some ideas for toppings? Go classic with ketchup, mustard (we recommend Spicy Brown) and relish, or up the ante with bold fixings to whip up a BBQ Bacon Hot Dog or a Chili Cheese Hot Dog.

Get more ideas in our recipes section.

How Do You Cook It?

Tell us, do you have a traditional way to cook your Nathan’s hot dogs that’s different? Tell us on Facebook!