Keeping up with past and present happenings in a remarkable small town.
Friday, October 15, 2021
The Hot Dog Shop ~ A Longtime Butler Favorite
Out of business as of July 8, 2004
This is what we miss!
139 comments:
Anonymous
said...
How well I remember the Hot Dog Shop. Everytime we traveled near Butler, my daddy would stop and get the family hot dogs. He remembered going there when he was in high school, and he said he'd get 2 hot dogs and a drink for $.25. Ah-h-h- memories of the past!
Charles Sad to see the hot dog shop close, But check out the Lyndora Hot Dog Shop, same great hot dogs, do miss the Butler Hot Dog Shop atomoshere, but the Lyndora one is much cleaner. They have an Armco Ingot hot dog also which is deep fried, very good also. Wednesday's are half price day 2 for a buck.
My dad was the baker at The Hot Dog shop for 50 years before he retired. It was a big part of my life growing up. It was a sad day in Butler when the shop closed for good. People mourned it's passing like the death of a good friend. We still miss it here in Butler.
I couldn't believe it when my mother told me the Hot Dog Shop had closed for good. I thought for sure it would open back up under new management, at least. Or something. Anything! But it truly is gone. I'll miss it! Maybe it was a bit dirty and very greasy--but that's what it was. That was part of what made it the Hot Dog Shop. I'll never forget the tiny little space between the outer doors and inner doors. For some reason, that stood out to my childhood mind. Or the circular cashier counter, or the shouting back and forth of orders. It was THE greasy spoon in my mind.
I too was sorry to here about it's closing. My mother and grandmother worked there in the early 50's. Hey ! anybody left out there from the Ron's ESSO Station on Brady St. We sure put a few orders in ourselves.
Who can bear to reduce the Hot Dog Shoppe to mere memories?
In the late 40s, my two sisters and I went to the Hot Dog after a movie and had a contest to see how many .10 hot dogs we could fit into our tiny tummies…with everything, washed down with root beer. I think the winning number was seven, but I don’t recall who won. Still, it was my most memorable sin of gluttony.
Bobby G. gave me my first kiss in the back row of the Butler Theater when we were 12. Although it was dark, I could come in on the beam of onions and garlic from his recently devoured hot dog with chili across the street.
Bless the screamingly efficient system of the wait staff: “Two hots. Catsup. Cut it!” “ Two hots, chili and a pickle! “ Was a louder order delivered faster?
Remember? The most important people in the world come through these doors: our customers.
Do those proud owners know how many Hot Dog Shoppe memories are carried by Butlerites around the world?
I found it!! Recipe Hot Dog Sauce from The Hot Dog Shop
Ingredients:
3 lbs. ground meat 1-1/2 cup diced onion 1/8 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. chili powder 1-1/2 tbsp. paprika 1/2-tbsp. ground cloves 1 tbsp. nutmeg 1 tbsp. black pepper 1-1/2 tbsp. sugar 14 oz. ketchup 6 cups water 1 cup flour mixed with 1 cup water (mix - not so lumpy) Directions: Brown and chop the ground meat in a 4 qt. pan. Drain off excess grease. Add each of the spices, one at a time, and stir after each one. After all the spices are in the mixture, it should be a pastry consistency. Add the ketchup; stir in the water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Keep the heat low and simmer for 2 hours. Add the flour and water mixture. This mixture will blend easily if you mix in your blender before adding to the rest of the sauce. The excess sauce may be frozen.
I use to go on Saterdays after my confirmation class at the First Eglish Luthern church Spent my 25 cents on two chili dogs and a small glass bottle of chocolate milk.Then off to a Sat movie, usually a western at the old Capital
I really miss the Hot Dog Shop --- a day doesn't go by when I think about it and hope that it's only a dream and that soon I'll wake up. I always thought the Hot Dog Shop would be here forever,I mean,the Hot Dog Shop was Butler and people came from miles around to eat there...it just doesn't make any sense and,with the rapid decline that seems to be overtaking the city in general,the city of Butler will be reduced to nothing but memories.
Man, I remember when I heard it closed... we used to go there during gym in junior high. Wednesdays were half price days, so we could get 2 for a dollar!
It was indeed the best place in Butler for a hot dog....the sauce recipe I have had for years and I will not give it to my friends but I make it often for my sons and friends. Burger Hut makes a good one too but nothing close to the real mccoy.
I got the sauce recipe from a "friend" of the Klutinoty's years ago after getting married and moving away. It was good but can never be the same without the atmosphere of the shop. Still eat fries with gravy but who can duplicate that gravy?? What was in that anyway? We had to eat there every trip home!
THIS IS SO VERY SAD...MY 75 YR. OLD DAD WORKED THERE WHEN HE WAS 16 YEARS OLD. WHEN HE MARRIED MY MOM THEY MOVED TO OHIO. WE WOULD MAKE IT A REGULAR STOP WHEN VISITING RELATIVES IN BUTLER. DAD RETIRED 20 YEARS AGO AND HE AND MOM MOVED TO PHOENIX AZ, BUT EVERY VISIT HOME MEANT A DRIVE TO THE HOT DOG SHOP. WE WOULD BRING HOME A COUPLE DOZEN TO OHIO FOR GOOD EATING. WE WILL SURELY MISS THE GREAT HOT DOGS!
When I was a kid in school during the 50's my friends and I would go the hot dog shop and stuff ourselfs with hot dogs. We would sit at the circular counters. When we got the bill we would walk around the back and sit in a booth on the other side and order 1 dog each. We would receive a new bill. Which bill do you think we paid? Kids will be kids.
I sold the Post Gazette on the corner by the drug store and walked through the Hot Dog Shop every 15 or 20 minutes and sold papers to the customers. Most of you were still sleeping at 6:00am.
I like every Butlerite loved the hot dog shop. I especially liked the hot dog with Ketchup and pickle. Of course, I liked the ones with that great sauce too. When I was a kid, hot dogs were $.10, Hamburgers $.15 and then they invented the Cheeseburger. We had never heard of that. Oh, wow, it was like Columbus discovering America. Velveeta came out around then and I remember eating my first grilled cheese sandwich at my aunt's house. Great years. Sad to hear that the Hot Dog Shop no longer exists.
I still have a container of their sauce frozen and I have been afraid to eat the last of the sauce. Questions for readers: does any other place serve Butler Hot Dogs ? Does any one still sell the Hot Dog Sauce ? And finally do you know of any place that would mail us the sauce? I am 54 years old and we would always stop there when I was a kid with my parents. It was a very sad day when the Butler Hot Dog Shop closed. It is hard to believe he was not making any money there. I remember buying one of their ugly T-shirts :). Thank you very much, Alan Cook E-mail
The Hot Dog Shoppe sauce is still made at Miller's Meat Market. That's where I like to buy it because it's so fresh. It can also be bought at many of the local Butler grocery stores.
Seems as though from the numerous posts the demise of the HDS wasn't due to a lack of business....Perhaps Starbucks could move into that location and add the 'Hots & sauce' to its menu.
The Hot Dog Shop was one of my most poignant childhood memories. I will never forget the waitress with the red painted lips and cute shape, and the yelling of the orders to the cooks "2 hots..2hots..pickle on the side" while anxious customers stood by your booth waiting for you to leave. Those hot dogs were so good my friend Bob Trill and myself would hitch hike from Parker to Butler (1952) just to get a hot dog. By the way we were only 14 years old at the time and hitch hiking is something never to be seen again along with the Butler Hot Dog Shop. When travelling to PA with my family we always stopped at the Hot dog Shop,and were never disappointed even if the hot dogs kept getting smaller every year.
The recipe for the chili used by the hotdog was lost when the genteman who worked for the Klutinoty family died. He would never give the recipe to the Klutinotys and after his death, they tried to figure out the recipe from the ingredients that were ordered from the suppliers. It was never the same. The flavor was OK but never as good as the original.
Thannks, Charles. I grew up in Slippery Rock...Stoughton's Beach - oh what memories! We used to go shopping in Butler and loved to eat at the diner but to ME, the Hot Dog Shop was the bomb. Funny thing, I told my husband about it yesterday, then today I got this blog from you. I hate it that the Hot Dog Shop isn't gone. I always remember the big sign over the door that said "Through these portals pass the most wonderful people in the world" or something like that.
My Dad was the baker at the Hot Dog Shop for 35 years. He learned everything from Tony Erkens, who retired, and Dad took over. It was hard work, but he took a lot of pride in it. There was nothing like the cream-filled donuts my Dad made, not to mention the other baked goods. He worked there from the age of 16 until he was 51 in 1982, when he passed away. They had to start buying the desserts from a nearby bakery, and it was never the same. But we still went in for the "atmosphere", to see everybody, and of course for the hot dogs. It's a real crime that they closed.
Ok so, I was feeling homesick and I started googling Butler. I found your Blog and I had to thank you. I might be mistaken, but I think you handled my mom's divorced back in 1969. Susan Steinheiser-Snow? I graduated from Slippery Rock High in 1987 but we always "hung out" in Butler. My first real job was at the Penn theater. My grandmother, Jean Purvis, worked the lunch counter at Woolworths for many yrs. My Great Grandmother Frances Wonderly and great Aunt Donna Stewart worked at Troutmans. I had a great Aunt who worked at the old Mellon bank the one with the revolving door. The words hometown or downtown, will always bring Butler to my mind. Who didn't get a pair of special occasion shoes from Millers or dress from Troutmans? Our birthdays always meant a trip to, Alans toyland, lunch at the hot dog shop, Stanley's bakery to pick up the cake, and If we were lucky a bananna split at the Woolworths counter. Remember the wheel you could spin to win a free sundae? Holidays brought us back "downtown". Easter candy had to be from Peter's chocolate shop. My Mom loved it so much she made my uncle Seth buy the shop a few years ago. My first date was in the middle of the afternoon at the Penn while mom was shopping. We lived a short time up near the Hospital, and I was old enough to walk to the library, but not all the way to main street! I loved the library, I think I spent half my Saturdays there. I graduated and moved away, wanting to see the world. When I got engaged I brought him, kicking and screaming, home to meet my big german family. I didn't let the poor man eat all morning telling him he had to wait for the Hotdog shop, he wasn't impressed, and the marriage didn't last. I still think there was a connection there! Oh man, now I am really homesick!! I might have to try that receipe for the sauce, I am sure I can eat a gallon before it goes bad, but as my mom used to say, "it freezes beautifully" Thank you for the smiles and the trip home.
Are you related to Linda Steinhauser-Rivers? I am Donna & Gene Heath's daughter, Mary & Linda is my cousin & now lives in both the Daytona Bch, FL & Butler areas. What a great trip down memory lane this blog has become!
what about french fries and gravy? I've never encountered them outside of Butler.They would really hit the spot on a cold day when you only had a dollar in your pocket.
How cool that I'm not the only one still missing the venerable Hot Dog Shop(pe). Though I'd long since left Butler, like others, I made it a priority when in town. I kept going even after I became vegetarian. I especially liked the delicious, locally roasted Andre coffee they served. My dog used to get excited when we parked there, knowing his wait would be rewarded with a couple bacon strips. They may be lugging around a few extra pounds, but I'll bet the wait staff won't have any memory decline in their retirement. They went paperless long before the digital revolution, but I don't remember anyone getting an order wrong. There are thousands of places to eat of every kind imaginable in NYC, but nothing like the Hot Dog Shop. My sister put it thusly - it was the only place where the rich, the poor, the beautiful, the ugly, the brilliant and the befuddled all sat down together and ate the same food. And they got the same service, too. It was a comforting constant amidst a sea of often turbulent change for the once-bustling city. It strung generations together across the different eras of its century-plus lifespan. It was about the institution as much as the menu. The chili sauce recipe might have been preserved, but that rich history can't be duplicated.
There was a hot dog shop/internet cafe above the old police station in Lyndora for a couple of years, but they are closed now and the place is "for rent" They served the "Armco Ingots" and I always stopped and got two of them to take home and enjoy - sloppy as heck - but GOOD!
Wow!!! I left Butler in 1980 and joined the armed forces. Today a friend that we still keep in contact in butler sent me the blob. Brings back alot of memories. I want to thank Ina May for the RECIPE FOR THE HOT DOG SHOP SAUCE!!!! between the HOT DOG SHOP and the HOAGIE SHOP(which was still there in august 2006 when we visited) were the places I always wanted to see and EAT going back home. Thanks again Pam Weiland
The hotdog shop was the place to eat. I left Butler years ago and moved to Nashville and always had to go back and eat when visiting. The memories will last forever. I just loved the hot dog shop.
I remember when I was in Jr high we went to the hot dog shop got 2 hot dogs ff with gravy and a coke for 37 cents..those were the days..and people would be standing right by you so soon as you got up they got your seat... each time we come home from ohio to visit the first place to go was hot dog shop its a shame its closed...and when you got there you always heard someone say they were from out of town but had to stop and get dogs ...
Just to say that the waitress with the "painted" eyebrows passed away last May. She worked at the Hot Dog Shoppe for 45 years.
I also remember the great baked goods. My favorites were raised glazed donuts and cream puffs - fresh from the trays that just came down from the bakery.
Also, the great fish sandwichs. Johnny (Trotta, I think) was a great cook. Not a short-order one, a real one behind the scenes.
I'll always remember the time that I tried to make peanutbutter fudge in a hot cup. We had peanutbutter "soup"
I liked the old hot dog shoppe. I have alot of memories there. They opened up a new on beside Gorillos on Monroe street. It's really small, and theres tables outside to eat at. Better then nothing though.
There is a man with a pushcart on Main Street now selling hot dogs similar to the old Hot Dog Shop style of dog. He told me in early July he had plans to open a bricks and mortar sandwich shop in the West End of town new the location of the old Red Barn restaurant. So far he is still on Main Street. There is also a sandwich shop that has named itself the Butler Hot Dog Shop in operation on the east side near Oesterlings Feed Shop.
My friend Tracey and I would go to the Hot Dog Shop every day after school in Junior High. Our bus didn't come right away and we had about 40 minutes after school every day. Does anyone remember the giant sized chocolate chip cookies they sold for 10 cents? You could get a small Coke for 15 cents and a cookie and only spend a quarter back then. I'm talking like 1973 or so. It was great, because we could afford to go there every day. We used to mess around with cigarettes back then, and they were only 55 cents a pack. Funny how kids could buy cigarettes back then and nobody cared. Some of my fondest memories are of going to the Hot Dog Shop. Our family used to go there often after church on Sundays, where I would get my "ham sandwich on toast, plain" and chocolate milk every time. My mother used to work at the bakery next door back in 1949 when her and my Dad first got married. She said that the owners from the Hot Dog Shop used to come through the adjoining door between the two establishments and buy pies for the Hot Dog Shop every now and then. There sure is alot of history in that old place. My older brother used to go there and have their chili for breakfast sometimes. Yikes!
MY MOM WAS BRENDA AND SHE WORKED THERE AND SHE WORKED THERE FOR LIKE 14 YEARS AND I MISS IT EVERY DAYS NOW SHE WORKS UP AT A GAY NEW RESTRAUNT BUT ACTUALLY U CAN GET THE CHILLI SAUCE FRM MILLERS MEATS CUZ THATS WERE IT IZ THE HOT DOG SHOPPE DIDNT MAKE THERE OWN SAUCE THEY STOLE IT AND USED IT FOR THERE HOT DOGS BUT MILLERS MEATS ACTULLY MADE THE RECIPE IF U HAVE ANY MORE QUISTIONS BOUT THE HOT DOG SHOPPE I AM THE TRUTH EMAIL E @ GIBSON123432@YAHOO.COM
I just had hot dogs and fries from the "new" hot dog shoope on Monroe Street. I have to say that it passes the basic tests, but it is not a true replica. The buns are steamed, but not to almost mush like they used to be. The onions should be minced a little more, and the sauce tasted almost a bit watered down - not quite strong enough. The fries are hand cut, so they are good, but the gravy is beef gravy - nowhere close to that delicious orange stuff known only at the original shoppe. Does anyone have the recipe for the gravy? I have several recipes for the sauce, and all are close. However I find that if I really want the real thing, it is best to buy it from Millers Meats (or actually Giant Eagle).
To Brandi, if you want gravy like the Hot Dog Shoppe used to put on your fries, try canned or bottled chicken gravy with a lot of paprika, season to taste.
At least that's what it tasted like. I ate a lot of hots with everything and pickle and fries and gravy after pulling a night shift at Armco. There used to be a pile of us go there after working a midnight shift. Hey, it was the best breakfast in town. Oh what I would give for "those days".
My sister had one of her first jobs at the Hot Dog Shop back in the mid-1960s. I NEVER missed stopping at the Shop if I was in the neighborhood. Now that I am permanently back in the neighborhood, it's closed....Have had dogs at the Place on Monroe, next to Gorillos. Not bad...not the same though. Am going to get to Miller's and try their "Hot Dog Shop Sauce." Hope it's as tasty as the original...oh, and one more thing - "THAT'S THREE HOTS...THREE HOTS, PICKLE ALSO....I NEED THREE HOTS, PICKLE ALSO!!!" (hehehe...deja vu!)
To Mr. I am the truth...you don't know what you are talking about. The sause has been in OUR family for years. Miller meats only prepares the sause for the Klutinoty family and the family has always owned the receipe. Trust us when we say how difficult it was to close the shop. We miss it too. From someone who really knows!
Welp, got to Miller's Meats and bought some of the "Hot Dog Shop Sauce." Was pretty good....there just seemed to be something missing, although I am not sure what that something might have been! Oh well, mebbe it's just my faded memory from all those dogs years ago. Good stuff...wish the Hot Dog Shop was till here....
Reply to Anonymous inregards to the Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe in Alameda plaza vs the "RAT" Dog Shop (Butler Hot Dog Shop) . I'll pay $100 for one of the "RAT" Dog Shop hot dogs before I would ever eat another hot dog from the Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe. You are undoutbly the owner who was afraid to leave your name and is trying to drum up business for a dying restaurant. YOU only wish your hotdogs were half as good as the old Butler Hot Dog Shop. Good luck because you will be gone soon.
My dad, Bill Paul, would finish work at Thompson's Funeral Home and call up to us who wants a "chili dog"? I remember always sleeping well after a snack from the Hot Dog Shop. Now wherever we are and see "chili dogs" on the menu we have to try them. Few are as good!
away from Butler for years, I made the hot dog sauce from the 'secret' receipe. while it turned out good, there seems to be a factor where when someone else makes it, it is better. why, I do not know.
And so, I gave the receipe to a friend who has Big Daddy's Smokin BBQ resturant in Sugar Pine California. He made the sauce and now he serves 6 gallons of it a week, only over fries! (as it is a real southern style BBQ joint-no hot dogs)
want it like in Butler, well bring your own bun and hot dog and viola...same-o same-o as in Butler; well a bit hotter on the spicy side as Big Daddy grinds his own fresh chili's into powder.
What is even better, is that Big Daddy's usually has a blues band every week...fries smothered in the hot daog sauce, beer, blues; oh yeah!
Sugar Pine is east of Sonora, which is a couple hours east of San Franciso; and a tad north of Yosemite.
You can check Central Valley Blues society's web page for blues bands at Big Daddy's. If there is a band, you can count on us being there dancing....or for the link, email us .... californiadancers@gmail.com
Family left Butler for IN, in 1927. I was 6 mos. old. Almost every year after we returned to Butler to visit many relative still there at the time. We never missed going to the BHDSS. My dad had delivered the Eagle to the shop when he was a kid. He could never forget the place and headed there often. All I ever ate there were the chili dogs and can still taste them, about 70 years later. Once in the 60's my parents brought me a jar of the chili and I guarded it like it was platinum.
What more can be said about the Hot Dog Shoppe? I would bet that everyone in Butler had to stop in at least once. I recall 5 cent hot dogs and 10 cent hamburgers.
The place was also quite a spot to meet and greet and was never intimidating...anyone could go there and feel comfortable.
Sometime in the early '40s as I recall, there was a Chinese laundry just up the street in which there was some altercation causing police intervention. My Father somehow convinced the regulars at the Hot Dog Shoppe that he could speak Chinese and, as such, was the official translator for the accused. Now, Father could speak Chinese about as well as I speak Swahili what with his New York 'sittin-on toidy-toid-street-list'n-to-da- boidies-choip' accent so there was some disbelief 'mongst the Hot Doggers as you might imagine. One wise guy asked him to say something in Chinese and Father made up something appropriately Chinese sounding and, being the kidder he was, took care to remember the phrase and the English translation. He would then repeat this each time he was asked to say it and soon convinced all that he could speak Chinese!
He even had me into the con by telling folks that he was teaching me Chinese and would say some nonsense to which I would reply with an equal bit of nonsense. We made a great team.
So, folks, it wasn't all Hot Dogs all the time at the 'ole Hot Dog Shoppe!
I am going to try out that recipe at the Mummers parade party I'm going to this weekend! It should be a total hit!!! Oh Hot Dog Shop, how I miss thee... :(
was back in Butler about 6 months ago,had to go and look at what once was the hot dog shop. Peered inside to see that everything was still there,signs,plates,menus. I felt like I had seen a ghost....very spooky!
Yes I am so sad that the Butler Hot Dog Shoppe is gone ,I remember going there a couple times as a kid ,once as a teenager ,and a couple times as an adult ,my father would take us to the Mcdonalds or to the Famous Recipe chicken joint to eat because I remember him saying once "Who wants to go to a place that is that busy when these places are hardly packed and the food is cheaper." Yeah I know still don't make sense to me after 30+ years . But I remember that sign and I always got a smile with that,and the look of the grill by the window with dozens of hot dogs piled up and they seem to be gone by the time I left ,and the fries and gravy was so good, I swear that is a western PA thing that just caught on everywhere else in the country. It is a shame no one has reopened this establishment ,but sometimes that's what happens. Well we miss you Butler Hot Dog Shoppe .
My brother Thom has posted here twice over the past year. I'm the sister who worked at The Hot Dog Shoppe way back in 1964 (or was it 1965?) for a couple months.
Yes we indeed had to memorize every order, and there was a specific order in which we called them out. Thom was right in his phrasing - if a customer wanted a pickle on their dog(s), we had to say "pickle also".
It was a requirement when anyone ordered the strawberry pie to shout "I need one FRESH (!) strawberry pie!!" Gosh that pie was good & the waitresses occasionally would order a slice, put it at one of the stations, and share it. heh heh
As with everyone posting here, we grew up looking forward to the times that our parents would take us to The Hot Dog Shoppe.
Our mom has been making Hot Dog sauce for decades. I have no idea where she got the recipe. I compared it to the one posted - and there are a few differences but what tickles me is that hers specifies "Heinz ketchup"!
My thanks to Charles for starting this blog and to many of the bloggers who replied. I grew up in Meridian and left Butler to go to Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pa. In 1963.
Growing up in Meridian, my best friends were Jimmy Vensel and his brother George, James Henry and Carney Holbein. We used to have a great time camping out in my backyard in the old Army tent my neighbor Leo Sell had given me and listening to the world on the old Navy shortwave Navy band radio my brother bought from a friend down the street. We rode down the hills by my house on myrother's soap box derby (sometimes we even got his permission} and riding our bikes down to Kemper's with it's counter of penny candy or McGill's Grocery Store. We'd look through all the expensive comic books (10 cents or a special edition at 25 cents!) We'd go bowling at the Meridian Bowling Lanes and on the 4th of July we'd always have a fireworks show with illegal fireworks that came from Ohio over at the Vensel's with half the neighborhood coming over. There was a fire at the bowling lanes and my brother (I think he was about 13 or 14 at the time) grabbed a hose from the volunteer fire department to help fight the fire. Mom (Genevieve) was always active in the Women's Auxiliary and community projects and dad (Terry) who worked at Armco would umpire Little League games.
As a youngster, we'd go to the Skyway Drive In where mom would put me and my Dr. Denton's on the package shelf of our '51 Lincoln Mercury so I could go to sleep. Daddy Mike as we used to call my grandfather, Michael Orr, had a house across the street and before they put in car speakers they had big speakers on top of the screen and we would go up on the roof with popcorn and watch the movies across the fence.
On Saturday's dad would take us into town to Troutman's, Jaffe's or Penney's and we'd go to the Hot Dog Sandwich Shop for chili dogs and fries with gravy. On the way home, we'd stop at the Belmont Bar and Leo Walsh would bring dad and Daddy Mike Carling Black Label {“Hey Mabel, Black Label!”) and I'd have an orange Crush. We'd go around the corner to get Daddy Mike's favorite, a Klondike Bar and I'd get a rainbow “Skyscraper” cone. As a family we would go to the Lyndora Hotel for the best hot sausage sandwiches with onions on a hard Italian bread which I can't get here in Texas. After school, I'd go across the street and have a hoagie (down here they call them subs but they're not the same) and a cone of french fries with vinegar. I believe someone in this blog said it's still there so I'm glad for that.
My brother worked at Dixon's Pharmacy and when we would go to pick him up, we'd go to the soda fountain for a chocolate soda or a cherry Coke in one of the old style paper cone type cups. Mr. Dixon always put an extra splash of Coke syrup and the sherry syrup when he made mine.
Bill DiCucchio was our barber and I remember him lighting a wax stick to singe away my dad's gray hair and giving me a lollipop after my haircut on the board he'd place across his barber's chair. Dad had a friend that ran a meat market (I used to love going there and always got a freshly made hotdog) and he decided to see how well lobster tails would go over in Butler and wound up selling all he had to dad for 15 cents each since no one would by them back then. I'm sure Butlerite's tastes have changed since then.
Dr. Toloff was the family Dr. and we did our best to keep him in business-a fall on a bike on Benbrook Hill, a bullet in the lip by 2 careless 9 year old kids (Jimmy and me) and a bullet thrown in the fire, dad cutting part of his finger off helping my brother with his soap box derby car on the Shop Smith, splitting my head open on a disk harrow at the Farm Show, 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my back from a loose shirt and a gas stove as well as a few dog bites on my backside and my sister who almost got run over by accident in our own car.
Hugh Marozzi was our dentist and a family friend along with his wife Lucille, who would come over and play cards with mom and dad. Regular bridge tournaments were also held with Joe and Mary Joy. Mom died back in 1960 of cancer and half of Nationwide Insurance where she worked came to the funeral and our family eventually wound up splitting up. Dad went to St. Joseph Mo., my brother to Minneapolis and later to the Air Force and I moved into town with my sister and Daddy Mike. My sister, Patti and I were both active in the Butler Little Theatre with Guys and Dolls and Inherit the Wind and a few other productions with Sid Jaffe and a number of others who became great friends although much older than I.
A friend of my sister's, Nancy Miller, was working at the court house and heard about a boy's school in Hershey that I might be able to get into, so in 1963, after taking the entrance exams. Nancy, if you happen to read this, thanks for helping to put me on the right road.
After graduating at 17 in 1966, I came back to Butler although my brother, sister and dad had all left years before. Daddy Mike had opted to stay and was living in the YMCA so I also got a room there. At 17, my options were limited and I decided almost anyone could get a job at a fast food restaurant so I went to Morgan's Drive In and interviewed with Bill Morgan. I found out that he used to be my parent's paperboy when he was younger and remembered my parents and that they always treated him well.. He gave me a chance and soon I was not just cutting onions and peeling potatoes, but learning how to make KFC, working the short order grill, the teletray and the dishwasher. After a month, I learned he was opening a new restaurant and was considering me to be one of the assistant managers. I decided to check into the Army first since the draft was in full swing with Viet Nam going strong and wound up enlisting in the Army Security Agency for the next four years and got married and moved to Minneapolis, Mn. When I got out since my sister had moved there.
I had a job as a mail order manager at Wheel Goods which was a national bike parts wholesaler and retailer and noticed an order from Butler for one of our customers. On a whim, I put a note in with his order, explaining that I was originally from Butler and asking about the old sandwich shop. He replied with not only was it still there but sent me a case of Yero's hot dog sauce, which was a little bit of Heaven for me for several months. I wish I could remember his name in case he's still around and reads this blog. I have since found the recipe in this blog as well as another with slightly different ingredients and instructions but essentially the same. I haven't tried making it yet but will soon. I'm sorry to hear about the tax troubles and subsequent closing of the old place.
Thanks again to Charles and all the rest who made this log possible and the great memories it brought back to me. Sorry for rambling on, but I had a lot of great memories of Butler I've been unable to share.
One of the last times I was there prior to its door-closing demise, standing in line for a couple boxes "to go" (My turn to cook dinner, and this was one of the few ways I could pull it off, even being modestly heroic!). Person behind me, an old buddy who like me, grew up sucking down Klutinoty hots, leaned in and simply said ...
"Reminiscing?"
Broke me up then, and now. Still, little did we know the time of Butler Hot Dog's magical, mystery mud was nigh ...
We all miss the "experience" and my nights providing dinner aren't nearly so "heroic."
Lordy, I'm dying ...sitting here, looking at that picture of a Klutinotyhotty with that puckering dill pickle astride a scrawny wiener all wrapped up in a steam-rolled bun and slathered with a stick full of the magic, mystery mud and sugared onions...
Man, I could go for about a half dozen right now, making up for lost time that's passed us bye ...
ALTHOUGH WE NEVER REALLY PATRONIZED THE HOT DOG, WE WERE FRIENDLY WITH THE OWNER, GEORGE STEREOPOLIS. HE LIVED ON A STREET BEHIND MY GRANDPARENTS WHO WERE ON BELMONT ROAD. I'M SURE MY GRANDMOTHER NEVER REALLY PURSUED FRIENDSHIP AS GEORGE "WAS GREEK, YOU KNOW." SHE DIDN'T MIND IT IN THE LEAST WHEN WE HAD A HORRIFIC SNOWSTORM IN '49 OR '50 AND HE OFFERED TO BRING SOME EMERGENCY GROCERIES. HE SEEMED LIKE A VERY KIND MAN. I REMEMBER ALWAYS LOOKING IN THE FRONT WINDOW WHEN WE DROVE PAST--ALWAYS BUSY. RUSS TURNER
Actually George Stereopolis owned the Burger Hut on Main Street. He was acool guy in his youger years cruising around town in his Corvette. Tony Klutinoty (whose family owned the Hot Dog Shop) was cool too. He loved jazz and had '56 Ford that ran on airplane fuel.
In reference to the above entry yes lard is in the reciepe. I worked at the old Hot Dog shoppe for 5 years when it closed it doors. It came as much a surprise to the employees and it did to the wonderful customers. I miss working for a kind,wonderful boss. Jim was always there for his employees and treated us well. I also miss the daily customers that would come in. There will never be any place like the original hot dog shoppe. I have yet to find any place where the employees, owners, and customers treat you like family. In our family my grandmother, mother,myself, and my son all worked there. The shoppe on monroes street come close to taste, but there is still something missing. I also worked there. I believe atmosphere plays a big role in the good memories of the original hot dog shoppe.
I was born in Butler and now live in Franklin, PA. We were practically raised on Butler hot dogs. Loved them!! So many great memories. I have a recipe that my dad had given me many years ago and have used the recipe many times at functions and the comments have been "Yep-that's it". All I have to say is it tastes just LIKE the Butler's hot dog shoppe's sauce. I even displayed the recipe in our church recipe book. Daddy new the owner he said. Sure miss the shoppe though. Too bad someone wouldn't reopen even under a new name but of course it will never be the same. Loved the gravy too on top of french fries. Mmm this is making me hungry. My dad used to have a paint shop in Butler too. His nickname in Butler was "Joop". Oh, the memories. So many but too few!! I remember the sign at the door: The most important people in the world come through these doors: our customers.
I don't believe there is any more to say that hasn't been said but I share so many memories with you all. I think my earliest memory was in the mid-60s when my dad would take my sister to piano lessons and treat me to a Hot Dog Shop cream puff! Many other times we enjoyed those famous hotdogs with chili and a pickle. YUM! I also remember walking to the Butler Junior High and stopping at Hot Dog shop on the way home from school. Yes, the gum was stuck under the seats. Amazing memories of a very special place and a very special time in history. I think the Hot Dog shop typifies small town life in all it's glory! Thank you everyone. I sure do miss my home town!
I TAUGHT MATH FOR THIRTY YEARS AND WHEN I ASKED MY STUDENTS FOR EXAMPLES OF INFLATION THEY GAVE ME MANY EXAMPLES(LIKE THE COST OF COLLEGE GOING UP).I WOULD TELL THEM ABOUT REAL INFLATION--- THAT WAS WHEN HOT DOGS FROM BUTLERS HOT DOG SHOPPE WENT FROM 5 CENTS TO 2 FOR 15 CENTS IN THE FORTIES. THAT WAS A 50% INCREASE THAT I COULD HARDY EVER GET USED TO. I LOVED READING THE MANY COMMENTS FROM THE PEOPLE WHO MISS THE HOT DOG SHOPPE AS MUCH AS I DO TO THIS DAY. NOT TO MANY MENTIONED THIS WAS ALSO A GREAT PLACE TO EAT BREAKFAST--ESPECIALY THEIR BUTTERED THIN CAKES. SOME OF YOU COMPARED OTHER HOT DOGS AT OTHER PLACES--- I HAVE TRIED ALL OF THEM--- NONE,NONE WERE EVER AS GOOD AS THE HOT DOG SHOPPE. ONCE AT A HOT DOG EATING CONTEST MY GOOD BUDDY BILL SAUL ATE 21,MOUSE MUSTELLO ATE 20 WHICH TIED ME FOR 2ND PLACE.WHEN WE WERE KIDS I NEVER ATE OUT IN ANY RESTAURANTS-- ONLY AT THE HOT DOG SHOPPE--I THINK I HAVE THE HONOR OF PROBABLY EATEN THE MOST HOT DOGS THERE THAN ANY ONE ELSE--- I CAN'T BELIEVE ANYONE COULD HAVE EATEN AS MANY AS I DID IN 60 YEARS-THE LAST DAY THEY WERE OPENED A GROUP OF MY FRIENDS AND I WENT THERE LATE AND ATE THE LAST HOT DOGS THAT WERE ON THE GRILL.A VERY SAD DAY FOR ALL OF US WHO GREW UP IN BUTLER AND ENJOYED THE AMBIANCE OF THE HOT DOG SHOPPE.JIMMY D'ANTONIO
I used to love to go there on a cold winter's day with the warmth from the cooking dogs hitting my senses as I entered the door. I would always get two hots and a piece of coccanut cream pie for dessert. They used to bake their own pies and they were great. It is too bad nobody was interested in reopening this special Butler only eatery.
yes, i agree. it is time for that building to come down, it deserves to be a fond memory, not the decaying interior moldfest it's surely becoming. enough of that picure too. it looks like the dog is topped with the rectal blast that it probably caused. the dripping effect doesn't help.
I lived in Butler in or around 1967 - I was in the 3rd grade and it around the time the new ymac was built. I lived on N. Washington Street and had the hottest girlfriend in all of Butler County - her name was Holly and she was a Dancer.
Enough about that.... my dad liked the Burger Hut best - my sister liked The HOt Dog Shop ... I am confused ... who made the best chili dog. I also remember a great cornbeef sandwitch and cocoanut cream pie.
I was born in Kittanning - lived in Saxonburg.... but have been in the south since 1983 and I can tell you South Carolina knows nothing about good hot dogs with chili.
I miss that taste - so which is best and who has the recipe
wow, I think we started every school day and finished everyday at the hot dog shop. They had the best danish, that they would heat on the grill. And the hotdogs were and still are the best. No one will ever beat them. I'm sorry they closed, even tho I have not lived in Butler for many years, I still have very fond memories. Becky
Why should this be one of the most, if not THE most popular entries here? It's not strictly because of the hot dogs, the chili sauce, the fries with gravy or the donuts. It's because this particular business was part of our culture growing up and so the memories are so much more than gastronomic. I find myself regretting that I didn't do something to save the place or copy the place or somehow MOVE the place so that this part of my culture might have been saved. As for me, it was where my grandfather and I went every Saturday,and during the summer almost every day before work. Sat in the same place; ordered the same thing; spoke to the same people; felt like an insider, like someone special to and part of the place.
That's why we miss it; yeah the hot dogs and chili sauce and fries with gravy were good, but the memories are so much more and that's because of the place this place held in our lives.
THE HOT DOG in slippery rock opened in 1963 or 64 and was run by Tony Klutinauty, Jim's son. I was working at the Butler shop at the time and I remember a customer asking George Klutinauty about it and George telling him that "we have nothing to do with that". Of course Jim was helping Tony get set up. Jim and George got along like cat and dog. I remember Jim on my right,george on my left making hot dogs,Jim handed the dogs to me,I put on the onions and sauce,George the pickles and whatever. They yelled and bashed each other with me in the middle. I suspect they loved each other but,wow,could they go at it. Their sons Jimmy and Buddy seemed to get along well,I liked both of them but felt Jim and George were uncles.
In connection with the PBS program on baseball, the following program was about hot dogs and the variety around the country. As I watched I expected to see a referance to the Butler Hot Dog Shoppe but no such luck.
Seeems hot dogs are America's answer to french fires...or as some would have it 'American fries'.
I ENJOYED THE HOT DOG SHOP TO WE LIVED FOR COMING IN AND GETTING 30 OR 40 HOT-DOGS AND IT CLOSING IT DOOR MAKES ME CRY NOBODY I MEAN NO BODY MAKES THEM LIKE THE DID AND NEVER WILL BUT IF ANYONE HAS THERE GRAVEY RECIPE PLEASE E-MAIL IT TO ME With The Hot- Dog Sauce RECIPE Thank-You HERE IS MY E-MAIL ADDRESS PATTYANDDUANE@AOL.COM
I practically lived at the Hot Dog Shoppe. My Dad was friends with both Jim & George (for the longest time I thought they were related to us). I think I had the only "CHARGE ACCOUNT" at the Hot Dog Shoppe. I was an alter-boy at St Paul's Church and if there was a funeral, not only would I get out of school to serve the funeral but I could have lunch at the Hot Dog Shoppe and just said, "Charge It". My Dad would stop in every day and pay my bill. Growing up, every Sunday after 12:15 Mass at St Pauls, our family would have Sunday brunch at the Hot Sog Shoppe. Tom McGregor, the policeman, always sat back at the last circular counter for lunck while the senior Mr Klutinauty (Jim & George"s Dad)was folding pie boxes. Those were the days....
My husband and I moved to Butler when we got married in 1999. We were always told about the Hot Dog Shop and the delicious hotdogs they had. So one day, when he got paid we went there to try them and OMG!!! We absolutely loved them. So we made it a rountine for us, on Wednesday when they had half price hotdogs we would go there and eat. We would get 10 "hots" with pickles, large order of french fries half with cheese and half gravy, one order of chicken strips and one soda. For dessert we had a chocolate sundae. We only took $20 and that was plenty for us to use there. Every payday we would go there and eat.(I was pregnant when we went there that is why we ordered so much) It was very delicious and I am sad that it is gone. It was something that made Butler the city it was. I am glad that I got to experience the Hotdog Shop. ( I was born in Butler but never did I get the Hotdog from the Hotdog Shop until I moved there with my husband. We both loved the hots and the friendly environment). I loved how the waitress had to memorize the orders and repeat them back at twice before the order was complete. I will always remember the Shop and wont forget the taste.
My mother was born in Butler. She had a younger sister, Joan Murphy, who worked at the Hot Dog Shop for as long as I could remember. When we lived in Pittsburgh we'd visit my grandparents and Aunt & Uncle all the time. We'd always make 2 stops: The Sugar Bowl and the Hot Dog Shop. When we moved down to Atlanta we didn't visit as much, but when we did we always stopped there.
I haven't been to Butler since 1988, but I'll always have fond memories of my aunt working at the Hot Dog Shop.
I would love to buy the Hot Dog shop and reopen it....Can anyone help me out on who to contact? And any possible co owners? or silent partners?...I really miss the place and would like to reopen it and keep everything as close as possible to how it was...2 hots...hold the pickle
That would be great if you could do that. People really miss this place. The folks from Brighton Hot Dogs thought of doing it, but instead built a new place in Alemeada Plaza. It doesn't seem do much business.
I think the Hot Dog Shop would still do very well. It was a destination and had atmostphere.
I lived in Butler till I was seventeen and we moved to Florida. Great hot dogs and in the last 51 years I've never tasted a better dog then those served at the Hot Dog Shop. Whenever I told people who were from Pa. that I grew up in Butler, more often than not they would say that's where they serve the great hot dogs. Probably Butler's all time greatest institution and it's sad to hear they're gone.
All of you who have enjoyed the hot dogs over the years should take time to send a thank you card to the big guy who worked the window for over 52 years.He and his wife are now residents of Sunnyview and I am sure that he would appreciate hearing from you. Lloyd & Margaret Rettig Sunnyview Home 107 Sunnyview Circle Butler,PA 16001
My grandfather took my dad to the hot dog shop and my father took all of us kids to the hot dog shop and I took my kids. We had 4 generations of Stakleys eating at that place and we miss it. The best hot dogs red red gravy on fries.
My Grandfather was from Arnold/New Kensington, PA, and was an avid fisherman, and therefore would journey up to Pymatuming, Moraine State Park, etc. - He never went back home from his trips without a stop at the Butler Hot Dog Shop, and then purchasing at least three pints of their own "Hot Dawg Sauce" to take home as a special treat for the family. Sad to see it go -
The old HOT DOG SHOPPE now closed but a place that will never be forgotten. It was a place my mother and father met,my mother was a waitress there, married and started a life together with my father. That is how I was born along with my brothers and sisters. It will never be forgotten and it still stands vaccant today as we speak. 9/2/2011
I truly miss eating there. I left Butler after high school in 1988. I had gone back a few times and would get lunch there. I haven't been back in a long time but I'm sad to see it's been closed. If anyone knows where to get an old stool or two from there I'd love to buy them. J.R.
Left Butler long ago to find work, but I took a receipe a Hot Dog Shop worker had given me. Was a Navy cook so had lots of guys to experiment on. Many a still beach party to practice at. You folks are right there on your ingredients, just tweek em a bit. When I mustered out I moved south and did well making nice money on the side selling the sauce under various names to little and minor league baseball consession stands. Folks in the south went nuts and couldn't get enough. I owe that to Butler .. thanks
The old Hot Dog Shop looks like it is slowly imploding. Either that or someone has been inside wrecking the place. Sad to see a place with so many good memories now in shambles.
My first memories of the Hot Dog Shop were when we would travel through Butler with my Grandfather on the way to Cook Forest to go camping. It was always a must stop! The hots were do die for and I always had to have fries with gravey. My mom loved the coconut custard pie and I believe that is the only place she ever ordered it. When in high school, I used to take SCUBA lessons at the YMCA up the street and we used to get some hots before heading home. Once married with children we could never take a trip back to Butler without a stop at The Hot Dog Shop. My kids now adults themselves, still love the memories and wish it was still open. I can't believe someone has not reopened it. IF I lived in the area, I would seriouysly consider it. I still remember like yesterday sitting at the counter when my folks were in a booth near bye. My parents would have the waitress give me the check and I would look to my parents in total fear, since I never had any money as a kid. The would look back with this "who is that kid" look and I would have to plead with the waitress to believe me that I was really theirs. :-) Great memories. Love you mom and dad! Bruce McKelvy
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The Hot Dog Shop is one of my best memories of growing up in Butler. The hot dogs, everything pickle also, were lunch every day when we had those open lunch hours at Butler Junior High. Breakfast, too. No one, any where else, can match those Buttered Thin Cakes. Yumm! My parents had breakfast there almost daily. When the kitchen crew saw Dad walk past those big windows on Jefferson Street his eggs were on the grill before he walked through the doors.
I have lots of wonderful memories of going to the Hot Dog Shoppe every summer with my father, Tony Klutinoty. I love seeing my family working at the shop and enjoying my "hots with everything" for breakfast. It was like coming home after a long trip. The Butler community is full of wonderful people and tons of very cherished memories.
Hello, I am one of many who grew up stopping for Butler Hot Dogs any time we drove near Butler Pa. My Mother would tell us her Father would also stop for Butler hot dogs when she was a child too. Now whenever I am near Butler I stop at Millers Meat and buy the famous sauce to bring back to Ohio. Does anyone know what hot dog brand was used and the brand of buns? I enjoyed reading everyone’s memories.
While getting ready for a barbeque at our newly built house a few years ago, I ventured to find only 2 must-haves: yep, hot 'dawg' sauce and the fries gravy. Got several tubs of sauce at Clearview Giant Eagle, and asked the deli guy where in the world I could find the fries gravy- to my astonishment, he told me he was a cook there in high school and all it was, was....wait for it... the crisp from the cooked hot dogs on the flat top mixed with a roux of yes, lard and equal amount of flour. That gravy is a delicious memory best left where it was enjoyed, like a first kiss! My first memories were walking in and facing that colossal cashier desk at 7 years old after being crammed beside grownups in between the doors "the best customers ever went through!" Was it the afterglow from services at Covenant Presby, hanging out with my Dad, or the yelling out of orders that bring me back to good days? And now, I have the joy of knowing the Klute family for 18 years, after being invited to Dave and Terri's for Bible study, and eventually meeting my husband and other good friends there. It is a joy to run into Mrs. Klute and share her gracious stories and see all the good her grandkids bring this world in God's name. Bless you! Best to the "About a Mile Band" in Nashville- keep rockin' the gospel, guys! (Adam, etc) Kiersten Sutton-Petsinger
Oh the memories does anyone have the recipe for the hot dog sauce and gravy , if so could you email me with the recipe ladylovebugg@hotmail.com I so want to taste these dogs again . Please !! I grew up there but live in Wisconsin for years, am so home sick for these
In the summer of 1981 I went back to Butler from my home in San Diego to attend the 25th Reunion of the BHS Class of '56. After the Reunion dinner and an after-hours party in someone's hotel room. John Cippolone. who also lived in California, asked me if I wanted a hot dog. We drove to the Hot Dog at 4 AM and each of us had four chili dogs and fries with gravy. I still remember that great moment.
A few weeks later I was back at work and was negotiating an agreement with a tire company in Ohio. Their lawyer was Harry Pepper, also in the class of '56. The first thing he said was: "I heard you were eating hot dogs at 4 AM after the reunion."
Several years ago, I was visiting Butler with my daughter and the first thing I wanted to do was to take her to the Hot Dog. Sadly, it had closed about 6 months earlier.
I left Butler in 1958 to join the Army. Living in Va. now since 1974. How we miss the Hot Dog Shop ! More than a few times, we would jump in the car and drive to Butler, get our fill of hot dogs, and drive back to Va. that evening.
I've been trying to find a substitute for that wonderful chili sauce since the Hot Dog Shop closed. Wolf brand Chili Hot Dog Sauce is a reasonable substitute, but I sure do wish someone would bottle the original.
Surprising that no one knew the recipe for the orange gravy on the fries. Additionally, a few individuals made a comment about the recipe published on this blog for the hot dog sauce. They compared it to their recipe stating minor discrepancies but did not mention the corrections other than someone saying it was lard. Let's not be stingy people... share the fire gravy recipe and note the corrections with the hot dog sauce recipe. I've been in Las Vegas for the last 4 months and none of the food out here even comes close to those hotdogs or fries and gravy back in the day from Butler.
Tons of fries selling daily in whole over the world. This is not only because of taste also due to brand and also it's delicious Packaging.Fries almost use on every occasion like parties, wedding, kitty parties and many other occasions. Many companies trying to do more business by making a different kind of french fries box in various shape and size.One of them is iCustomBoxes.They manage to offer quality via the use of top- rated material during the production of these boxes. They Use different theme and colour to make the boxes more attractive
I'm so glad for this Butler PA Blog, It's good to be reminded of the places we used to enjoy. We know changes are inevitable, but I wish Butler could have stayed the friendly, small town that it once was. It changed too soon for some of us. Great when there6 were plenty of places to find good jobs; where families and friends didn't move away; and where you could step inside the Hot Dog Shop for something good to eat. I can almost hear the sounds.
Butler once seemed like a Big small town that was growing, but now it's just a shell of what was wonderful. Every trip back there is sad to see something else gone.
Out of business 
139 comments:
How well I remember the Hot Dog Shop. Everytime we traveled near Butler, my daddy would stop and get the family hot dogs. He remembered going there when he was in high school, and he said he'd get 2 hot dogs and a drink for $.25. Ah-h-h- memories of the past!
Diane(Renick)Hartman Williston, Ohio
Charles
Sad to see the hot dog shop close,
But check out the Lyndora Hot Dog Shop, same great hot dogs, do miss the Butler Hot Dog Shop atomoshere, but the Lyndora one is much cleaner. They have an Armco Ingot hot dog also which is deep fried, very good also. Wednesday's
are half price day 2 for a buck.
My dad was the baker at The Hot Dog shop for 50 years before he retired. It was a big part of my life growing up. It was a sad day in Butler when the shop closed for good. People mourned it's passing like the death of a good friend. We still miss it here in Butler.
I couldn't believe it when my mother told me the Hot Dog Shop had closed for good. I thought for sure it would open back up under new management, at least. Or something. Anything! But it truly is gone. I'll miss it! Maybe it was a bit dirty and very greasy--but that's what it was. That was part of what made it the Hot Dog Shop. I'll never forget the tiny little space between the outer doors and inner doors. For some reason, that stood out to my childhood mind. Or the circular cashier counter, or the shouting back and forth of orders. It was THE greasy spoon in my mind.
Farewell Hot Dog Shop! You won't be forgotten!
Lori (Cameron) Frescas
New Jersey
I too was sorry to here about it's closing. My mother and grandmother worked there in the early 50's.
Hey ! anybody left out there from the Ron's ESSO Station on Brady St. We sure put a few orders in ourselves.
Who can bear to reduce the Hot Dog Shoppe to mere memories?
In the late 40s, my two sisters and I went to the Hot Dog after a movie and had a contest to see how many .10 hot dogs we could fit into our tiny tummies…with everything, washed down with root beer. I think the winning number was seven, but I don’t recall who won. Still, it was my most memorable sin of gluttony.
Bobby G. gave me my first kiss in the back row of the Butler Theater when we were 12. Although it was dark, I could come in on the beam of onions and garlic from his recently devoured hot dog with chili across the street.
Bless the screamingly efficient system of the wait staff: “Two hots. Catsup. Cut it!” “ Two hots, chili and a pickle! “ Was a louder order delivered faster?
Remember? The most important people in the world come through these doors: our customers.
Do those proud owners know how many Hot Dog Shoppe memories are carried by Butlerites around the world?
Any chance someone has the recepe for their famous sause? I hope it didn't die with the beloved shop.
I found it!!
Recipe Hot Dog Sauce from The Hot Dog Shop
Ingredients:
3 lbs. ground meat
1-1/2 cup diced onion
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. chili powder
1-1/2 tbsp. paprika
1/2-tbsp. ground cloves
1 tbsp. nutmeg
1 tbsp. black pepper
1-1/2 tbsp. sugar
14 oz. ketchup
6 cups water
1 cup flour mixed with 1 cup water (mix - not so lumpy)
Directions:
Brown and chop the ground meat in a 4 qt. pan. Drain off excess grease. Add each of the spices, one at a time, and stir after each one. After all the spices are in the mixture, it should be a pastry consistency. Add the ketchup; stir in the water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Keep the heat low and simmer for 2 hours. Add the flour and water mixture. This mixture will blend easily if you mix in your blender before adding to the rest of the sauce. The excess sauce may be frozen.
Yield: 1 Gallon
I use to go on Saterdays after my confirmation class at the First Eglish Luthern church Spent my 25 cents on two chili dogs and a small glass bottle of chocolate milk.Then off to a Sat movie, usually a western at the old Capital
I really miss the Hot Dog Shop --- a day doesn't go by when I think about it and hope that it's only a dream and that soon I'll wake up. I always thought the Hot Dog Shop would be here forever,I mean,the Hot Dog Shop was Butler and people came from miles around to eat there...it just doesn't make any sense and,with the rapid decline that seems to be overtaking the city in general,the city of Butler will be reduced to nothing but memories.
Man, I remember when I heard it closed... we used to go there during gym in junior high. Wednesdays were half price days, so we could get 2 for a dollar!
Kay Stephenson Davis said....
It was indeed the best place in
Butler for a hot dog....the sauce
recipe I have had for years and I
will not give it to my friends but
I make it often for my sons and
friends. Burger Hut makes a good
one too but nothing close to the
real mccoy.
February 21, 2006
I got the sauce recipe from a "friend" of the Klutinoty's years ago after getting married and moving away. It was good but can never be the same without the atmosphere of the shop. Still eat fries with gravy but who can duplicate that gravy?? What was in that anyway? We had to eat there every trip home!
THIS IS SO VERY SAD...MY 75 YR. OLD DAD WORKED THERE WHEN HE WAS 16 YEARS OLD. WHEN HE MARRIED MY MOM THEY MOVED TO OHIO. WE WOULD MAKE IT A REGULAR STOP WHEN VISITING RELATIVES IN BUTLER. DAD RETIRED 20 YEARS AGO AND HE AND MOM MOVED TO PHOENIX AZ, BUT EVERY VISIT HOME MEANT A DRIVE TO THE HOT DOG SHOP. WE WOULD BRING HOME A COUPLE DOZEN TO OHIO FOR GOOD EATING. WE WILL SURELY MISS THE GREAT HOT DOGS!
Does anybody have the recipe for the gravy they put on their fries?
When I was a kid in school during the 50's my friends and I would go the hot dog shop and stuff ourselfs with hot dogs. We would sit at the circular counters. When we got the bill we would walk around the back and sit in a booth on the other side and order 1 dog each. We would receive a new bill. Which bill do you think we paid? Kids will be kids.
I sold the Post Gazette on the corner by the drug store and walked through the Hot Dog Shop every 15 or 20 minutes and sold papers to the customers. Most of you were still sleeping at 6:00am.
I like every Butlerite loved the hot dog shop. I especially liked the hot dog with Ketchup and pickle. Of course, I liked the ones with that great sauce too. When I was a kid, hot dogs were $.10, Hamburgers $.15 and then they invented the Cheeseburger. We had never heard of that. Oh, wow, it was like Columbus discovering America. Velveeta came out around then and I remember eating my first grilled cheese sandwich at my aunt's house. Great years. Sad to hear that the Hot Dog Shop no longer exists.
I still have a container of their sauce frozen and I have been afraid to eat the last of the sauce. Questions for readers: does any other place serve Butler Hot Dogs ? Does any one still sell the Hot Dog Sauce ? And finally do you know of any place that would mail us the sauce?
I am 54 years old and we would always stop there when I was a kid with my parents. It was a very sad day when the Butler Hot Dog Shop closed. It is hard to believe he was not making any money there. I remember buying one of their ugly T-shirts :).
Thank you very much,
Alan Cook
E-mail
The Hot Dog Shoppe sauce is still made at Miller's Meat Market. That's where I like to buy it because it's so fresh. It can also be bought at many of the local Butler grocery stores.
Seems as though from the numerous posts the demise of the HDS wasn't due to a lack of business....Perhaps Starbucks could move into that location and add the 'Hots & sauce' to its menu.
The Hot Dog Shop was one of my most poignant childhood memories. I will never forget the waitress with the red painted lips and cute shape, and the yelling of the orders to the cooks "2 hots..2hots..pickle on the side" while anxious customers stood by your booth waiting for you to leave. Those hot dogs were so good my friend Bob Trill and myself would hitch hike from Parker to Butler (1952) just to get a hot dog. By the way we were only 14 years old at the time and hitch hiking is something never to be seen again along with the Butler Hot Dog Shop. When travelling to PA with my family we always stopped at the Hot dog Shop,and were never disappointed even if the hot dogs kept getting smaller every year.
The recipe for the chili used by the hotdog was lost when the genteman who worked for the Klutinoty family died. He would never give the recipe to the Klutinotys and after his death, they tried to figure out the recipe from the ingredients that were ordered from the suppliers. It was never the same.
The flavor was OK but never as good as the original.
Thannks, Charles. I grew up in Slippery Rock...Stoughton's Beach - oh what memories!
We used to go shopping in Butler and loved to eat at the diner but to ME, the Hot Dog Shop was the bomb. Funny thing, I told my husband about it yesterday, then today I got this blog from you. I hate it that the Hot Dog Shop isn't gone. I always remember the big sign over the door that said "Through these portals pass the most wonderful people in the world" or something like that.
I believe you can get Hotdog sauce at Millers Meat Market on Main ST.
My Dad was the baker at the Hot Dog Shop for 35 years. He learned everything from Tony Erkens, who retired, and Dad took over. It was hard work, but he took a lot of pride in it. There was nothing like the cream-filled donuts my Dad made, not to mention the other baked goods. He worked there from the age of 16 until he was 51 in 1982, when he passed away. They had to start buying the desserts from a nearby bakery, and it was never the same. But we still went in for the "atmosphere", to see everybody, and of course for the hot dogs. It's a real crime that they closed.
The above recipe is missing the suet which gave it a distinctive taste. Still the best hot dog sauce ever. Much imitated never duplicated YEROS.
Ok so, I was feeling homesick and I started googling Butler. I found your Blog and I had to thank you. I might be mistaken, but I think you handled my mom's divorced back in 1969. Susan Steinheiser-Snow? I graduated from Slippery Rock High in 1987 but we always "hung out" in Butler. My first real job was at the Penn theater. My grandmother, Jean Purvis, worked the lunch counter at Woolworths for many yrs. My Great Grandmother Frances Wonderly and great Aunt Donna Stewart worked at Troutmans. I had a great Aunt who worked at the old Mellon bank the one with the revolving door. The words hometown or downtown, will always bring Butler to my mind. Who didn't get a pair of special occasion shoes from Millers or dress from Troutmans? Our birthdays always meant a trip to, Alans toyland, lunch at the hot dog shop, Stanley's bakery to pick up the cake, and If we were lucky a bananna split at the Woolworths counter. Remember the wheel you could spin to win a free sundae? Holidays brought us back "downtown". Easter candy had to be from Peter's chocolate shop. My Mom loved it so much she made my uncle Seth buy the shop a few years ago. My first date was in the middle of the afternoon at the Penn while mom was shopping. We lived a short time up near the Hospital, and I was old enough to walk to the library, but not all the way to main street! I loved the library, I think I spent half my Saturdays there. I graduated and moved away, wanting to see the world. When I got engaged I brought him, kicking and screaming, home to meet my big german family. I didn't let the poor man eat all morning telling him he had to wait for the Hotdog shop, he wasn't impressed, and the marriage didn't last. I still think there was a connection there! Oh man, now I am really homesick!! I might have to try that receipe for the sauce, I am sure I can eat a gallon before it goes bad, but as my mom used to say, "it freezes beautifully" Thank you for the smiles and the trip home.
Hi there ~
Are you related to Linda Steinhauser-Rivers? I am Donna & Gene Heath's daughter, Mary & Linda is my cousin & now lives in both the Daytona Bch, FL & Butler areas.
What a great trip down memory lane this blog has become!
One poster mentioned a Hot Dog Shop in Lyndora, where is it? I've never seen it.
Also, is the Hot Dog Shop in Slippery Rock still open?
all i want to know is where is the lyndora hot dog shop lived in this town for 66 yrs and never heard of seen it
bob
what about french fries and gravy? I've never encountered them outside of Butler.They would really hit the spot on a cold day when you only had a dollar in your pocket.
How cool that I'm not the only one still missing the venerable Hot Dog Shop(pe). Though I'd long since left Butler, like others, I made it a priority when in town. I kept going even after I became vegetarian. I especially liked the delicious, locally roasted Andre coffee they served. My dog used to get excited when we parked there, knowing his wait would be rewarded with a couple bacon strips. They may be lugging around a few extra pounds, but I'll bet the wait staff won't have any memory decline in their retirement. They went paperless long before the digital revolution, but I don't remember anyone getting an order wrong. There are thousands of places to eat of every kind imaginable in NYC, but nothing like the Hot Dog Shop. My sister put it thusly - it was the only place where the rich, the poor, the beautiful, the ugly, the brilliant and the befuddled all sat down together and ate the same food. And they got the same service, too. It was a comforting constant amidst a sea of often turbulent change for the once-bustling city. It strung generations together across the different eras of its century-plus lifespan. It was about the institution as much as the menu. The chili sauce recipe might have been preserved, but that rich history can't be duplicated.
There was a hot dog shop/internet cafe above the old police station in Lyndora for a couple of years, but they are closed now and the place is "for rent"
They served the "Armco Ingots" and I always stopped and got two of them to take home and enjoy - sloppy as heck - but GOOD!
My best memory of the Hot Dog Shop was stopping in after school in Jr High and seeing all the gum wads stuck underneath all the booths.
Wow!!! I left Butler in 1980 and joined the armed forces. Today a friend that we still keep in contact in butler sent me the blob.
Brings back alot of memories. I want to thank Ina May for the
RECIPE FOR THE HOT DOG SHOP SAUCE!!!! between the HOT DOG SHOP and the HOAGIE SHOP(which was still there in august 2006 when we visited) were the places I always wanted to see and EAT going back home. Thanks again
Pam Weiland
The hotdog shop was the place to eat. I left Butler years ago and moved to Nashville and always had to go back and eat when visiting. The memories will last forever. I just loved the hot dog shop.
I remember when I was in Jr high we went to the hot dog shop got 2 hot dogs ff with gravy and a coke for 37 cents..those were the days..and people would be standing right by you so soon as you got up they got your seat... each time we come home from ohio to visit the first place to go was hot dog shop its a shame its closed...and when you got there you always heard someone say they were from out of town but had to stop and get dogs ...
Hi,
Just to say that the waitress with the "painted" eyebrows passed away last May. She worked at the Hot Dog Shoppe for 45 years.
I also remember the great baked goods. My favorites were raised glazed donuts and cream puffs - fresh from the trays that just came down from the bakery.
Also, the great fish sandwichs. Johnny (Trotta, I think) was a great cook. Not a short-order one, a real one behind the scenes.
I'll always remember the time that I tried to make peanutbutter fudge in a hot cup. We had peanutbutter "soup"
A former employee
I liked the old hot dog shoppe. I have alot of memories there. They opened up a new on beside Gorillos on Monroe street. It's really small, and theres tables outside to eat at. Better then nothing though.
I also loved the bowls of spicy chili. Does any have the recipe? thanks Franklin PA
There is a man with a pushcart on Main Street now selling hot dogs similar to the old Hot Dog Shop style of dog. He told me in early July he had plans to open a bricks and mortar sandwich shop in the West End of town new the location of the old Red Barn restaurant. So far he is still on Main Street. There is also a sandwich shop that has named itself the Butler Hot Dog Shop in operation on the east side near Oesterlings Feed Shop.
My friend Tracey and I would go to the Hot Dog Shop every day after school in Junior High. Our bus didn't come right away and we had about 40 minutes after school every day. Does anyone remember the giant sized chocolate chip cookies they sold for 10 cents? You could get a small Coke for 15 cents and a cookie and only spend a quarter back then. I'm talking like 1973 or so. It was great, because we could afford to go there every day. We used to mess around with cigarettes back then, and they were only 55 cents a pack. Funny how kids could buy cigarettes back then and nobody cared. Some of my fondest memories are of going to the Hot Dog Shop. Our family used to go there often after church on Sundays, where I would get my "ham sandwich on toast, plain"
and chocolate milk every time. My
mother used to work at the bakery next door back in 1949 when her and my Dad first got married. She said that the owners from the Hot Dog Shop used to come through the adjoining door between the two establishments and buy pies for the Hot Dog Shop every now and then. There sure is alot of history in that old place. My older brother used to go there and have their chili for breakfast sometimes. Yikes!
MY MOM WAS BRENDA AND SHE WORKED THERE AND SHE WORKED THERE FOR LIKE 14 YEARS AND I MISS IT EVERY DAYS NOW SHE WORKS UP AT A GAY NEW RESTRAUNT BUT ACTUALLY U CAN GET THE CHILLI SAUCE FRM MILLERS MEATS CUZ THATS WERE IT IZ THE HOT DOG SHOPPE DIDNT MAKE THERE OWN SAUCE THEY STOLE IT AND USED IT FOR THERE HOT DOGS BUT MILLERS MEATS ACTULLY MADE THE RECIPE IF U HAVE ANY MORE QUISTIONS BOUT THE HOT DOG SHOPPE I AM THE TRUTH EMAIL E @ GIBSON123432@YAHOO.COM
I just had hot dogs and fries from the "new" hot dog shoope on Monroe Street. I have to say that it passes the basic tests, but it is not a true replica. The buns are steamed, but not to almost mush like they used to be. The onions should be minced a little more, and the sauce tasted almost a bit watered down - not quite strong enough. The fries are hand cut, so they are good, but the gravy is beef gravy - nowhere close to that delicious orange stuff known only at the original shoppe. Does anyone have the recipe for the gravy? I have several recipes for the sauce, and all are close. However I find that if I really want the real thing, it is best to buy it from Millers Meats (or actually Giant Eagle).
To Brandi, if you want gravy like the Hot Dog Shoppe used to put on your fries, try canned or bottled chicken gravy with a lot of paprika, season to taste.
At least that's what it tasted like. I ate a lot of hots with everything and pickle and fries and gravy after pulling a night shift at Armco. There used to be a pile of us go there after working a midnight shift. Hey, it was the best breakfast in town. Oh what I would give for "those days".
My sister had one of her first jobs at the Hot Dog Shop back in the mid-1960s. I NEVER missed stopping at the Shop if I was in the neighborhood. Now that I am permanently back in the neighborhood, it's closed....Have had dogs at the Place on Monroe, next to Gorillos. Not bad...not the same though. Am going to get to Miller's and try their "Hot Dog Shop Sauce." Hope it's as tasty as the original...oh, and one more thing - "THAT'S THREE HOTS...THREE HOTS, PICKLE ALSO....I NEED THREE HOTS, PICKLE ALSO!!!" (hehehe...deja vu!)
To Mr. I am the truth...you don't know what you are talking about. The sause has been in OUR family for years. Miller meats only prepares the sause for the Klutinoty family and the family has always owned the receipe. Trust us when we say how difficult it was to close the shop. We miss it too. From someone who really knows!
Go to Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe in Alameda plaza. Their Butler Dog is better than anything the "rat" dog shop ever had
Welp, got to Miller's Meats and bought some of the "Hot Dog Shop Sauce." Was pretty good....there just seemed to be something missing, although I am not sure what that something might have been! Oh well, mebbe it's just my faded memory from all those dogs years ago. Good stuff...wish the Hot Dog Shop was till here....
Reply to Anonymous inregards to the Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe in Alameda plaza vs the "RAT" Dog Shop (Butler Hot Dog Shop) . I'll pay $100 for one of the "RAT" Dog Shop hot dogs before I would ever eat another hot dog from the Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe. You are undoutbly the owner who was afraid to leave your name and is trying to drum up business for a dying restaurant. YOU only wish your hotdogs were half as good as the old Butler Hot Dog Shop. Good luck because you will be gone soon.
Alice Paul Roe
My dad, Bill Paul, would finish work at Thompson's
Funeral Home and call up to us who wants a "chili dog"? I remember always sleeping
well after a snack from the
Hot Dog Shop. Now wherever we are and see "chili dogs" on the menu we have to try
them. Few are as good!
away from Butler for years, I made the hot dog sauce from the 'secret' receipe. while it turned out good, there seems to be a factor where when someone else makes it, it is better. why, I do not know.
And so, I gave the receipe to a friend who has Big Daddy's Smokin BBQ resturant in Sugar Pine California. He made the sauce and now he serves 6 gallons of it a week, only over fries! (as it is a real southern style BBQ joint-no hot dogs)
want it like in Butler, well bring your own bun and hot dog and viola...same-o same-o as in Butler; well a bit hotter on the spicy side as Big Daddy grinds his own fresh chili's into powder.
What is even better, is that Big Daddy's usually has a blues band every week...fries smothered in the hot daog sauce, beer, blues; oh yeah!
Richard and JoAnne Cassioli
addendum to post by Richard Csssioli;
Sugar Pine is east of Sonora, which is a couple hours east of San Franciso; and a tad north of Yosemite.
You can check Central Valley Blues society's web page for blues bands at Big Daddy's. If there is a band, you can count on us being there dancing....or for the link, email us .... californiadancers@gmail.com
Family left Butler for IN, in 1927. I was 6 mos. old. Almost every year after we returned to Butler to visit many relative still there at the time. We never missed going to the BHDSS. My dad had delivered the Eagle to the shop when he was a kid. He could never forget the place and headed there often. All I ever ate there were the chili dogs and can still taste them, about 70 years later. Once in the 60's my parents brought me a jar of the chili and I guarded it like it was platinum.
What more can be said about the Hot Dog Shoppe? I would bet that everyone in Butler had to stop in at least once. I recall 5 cent hot dogs and 10 cent hamburgers.
The place was also quite a spot to meet and greet and was never intimidating...anyone could go there and feel comfortable.
Sometime in the early '40s as I recall, there was a Chinese laundry just up the street in which there was some altercation causing police intervention. My Father somehow convinced the regulars at the Hot Dog Shoppe that he could speak Chinese and, as such, was the official translator for the accused. Now, Father could speak Chinese about as well as I speak Swahili what with his New York 'sittin-on toidy-toid-street-list'n-to-da- boidies-choip' accent so there was some disbelief 'mongst the Hot Doggers as you might imagine. One wise guy asked him to say something in Chinese and Father made up something appropriately Chinese sounding and, being the kidder he was, took care to remember the phrase and the English translation. He would then repeat this each time he was asked to say it and soon convinced all that he could speak Chinese!
He even had me into the con by telling folks that he was teaching me Chinese and would say some nonsense to which I would reply with an equal bit of nonsense. We made a great team.
So, folks, it wasn't all Hot Dogs all the time at the 'ole Hot Dog Shoppe!
I am going to try out that recipe at the Mummers parade party I'm going to this weekend! It should be a total hit!!! Oh Hot Dog Shop, how I miss thee... :(
was back in Butler about 6 months ago,had to go and look at what once was the hot dog shop. Peered inside to see that everything was still there,signs,plates,menus. I felt like I had seen a ghost....very spooky!
Yes I am so sad that the Butler Hot Dog Shoppe is gone ,I remember going there a couple times as a kid ,once as a teenager ,and a couple times as an adult ,my father would take us to the Mcdonalds or to the Famous Recipe chicken joint to eat because I remember him saying once "Who wants to go to a place that is that busy when these places are hardly packed and the food is cheaper." Yeah I know still don't make sense to me after 30+ years .
But I remember that sign and I always got a smile with that,and the look of the grill by the window with dozens of hot dogs piled up and they seem to be gone by the time I left ,and the fries and gravy was so good, I swear that is a western PA thing that just caught on everywhere else in the country.
It is a shame no one has reopened this establishment ,but sometimes that's what happens.
Well we miss you Butler Hot Dog Shoppe .
My brother Thom has posted here twice over the past year. I'm the sister who worked at The Hot Dog Shoppe way back in 1964 (or was it 1965?) for a couple months.
Yes we indeed had to memorize every order, and there was a specific order in which we called them out. Thom was right in his phrasing - if a customer wanted a pickle on their dog(s), we had to say "pickle also".
It was a requirement when anyone ordered the strawberry pie to shout "I need one FRESH (!) strawberry pie!!" Gosh that pie was good & the waitresses occasionally would order a slice, put it at one of the stations, and share it. heh heh
As with everyone posting here, we grew up looking forward to the times that our parents would take us to The Hot Dog Shoppe.
Our mom has been making Hot Dog sauce for decades. I have no idea where she got the recipe. I compared it to the one posted - and there are a few differences but what tickles me is that hers specifies "Heinz ketchup"!
My mom lived in Butler back in the 40's 50's. She loved this shop and has nothing but great memories of the shop and it's famous food.
My thanks to Charles for starting this blog and to many of the bloggers who replied. I grew up in Meridian and left Butler to go to Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pa. In 1963.
Growing up in Meridian, my best friends were Jimmy Vensel and his brother George, James Henry and Carney Holbein. We used to have a great time camping out in my backyard in the old Army tent my neighbor Leo Sell had given me and listening to the world on the old Navy shortwave Navy band radio my brother bought from a friend down the street. We rode down the hills by my house on myrother's soap box derby (sometimes we even got his permission} and riding our bikes down to Kemper's with it's counter of penny candy or McGill's Grocery Store. We'd look through all the expensive comic books (10 cents or a special edition at 25 cents!) We'd go bowling at the Meridian Bowling Lanes and on the 4th of July we'd always have a fireworks show with illegal fireworks that came from Ohio over at the Vensel's with half the neighborhood coming over. There was a fire at the bowling lanes and my brother (I think he was about 13 or 14 at the time) grabbed a hose from the volunteer fire department to help fight the fire. Mom (Genevieve) was always active in the Women's Auxiliary and community projects and dad (Terry) who worked at Armco would umpire Little League games.
As a youngster, we'd go to the Skyway Drive In where mom would put me and my Dr. Denton's on the package shelf of our '51 Lincoln Mercury so I could go to sleep. Daddy Mike as we used to call my grandfather, Michael Orr, had a house across the street and before they put in car speakers they had big speakers on top of the screen and we would go up on the roof with popcorn and watch the movies across the fence.
On Saturday's dad would take us into town to Troutman's, Jaffe's or Penney's and we'd go to the Hot Dog Sandwich Shop for chili dogs and fries with gravy. On the way home, we'd stop at the Belmont Bar and Leo Walsh would bring dad and Daddy Mike Carling Black Label {“Hey Mabel, Black Label!”) and I'd have an orange Crush. We'd go around the corner to get Daddy Mike's favorite, a Klondike Bar and I'd get a rainbow “Skyscraper” cone. As a family we would go to the Lyndora Hotel for the best hot sausage sandwiches with onions on a hard Italian bread which I can't get here in Texas.
After school, I'd go across the street and have a hoagie (down here they call them subs but they're not the same) and a cone of french fries with vinegar. I believe someone in this blog said it's still there so I'm glad for that.
My brother worked at Dixon's Pharmacy and when we would go to pick him up, we'd go to the soda fountain for a chocolate soda or a cherry Coke in one of the old style paper cone type cups. Mr. Dixon always put an extra splash of Coke syrup and the sherry syrup when he made mine.
Bill DiCucchio was our barber and I remember him lighting a wax stick to singe away my dad's gray hair and giving me a lollipop after my haircut on the board he'd place across his barber's chair. Dad had a friend that ran a meat market (I used to love going there and always got a freshly made hotdog) and he decided to see how well lobster tails would go over in Butler and wound up selling all he had to dad for 15 cents each since no one would by them back then. I'm sure Butlerite's tastes have changed since then.
Dr. Toloff was the family Dr. and we did our best to keep him in business-a fall on a bike on Benbrook Hill, a bullet in the lip by 2 careless 9 year old kids (Jimmy and me) and a bullet thrown in the fire, dad cutting part of his finger off helping my brother with his soap box derby car on the Shop Smith, splitting my head open on a disk harrow at the Farm Show, 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my back from a loose shirt and a gas stove as well as a few dog bites on my backside and my sister who almost got run over by accident in our own car.
Hugh Marozzi was our dentist and a family friend along with his wife Lucille, who would come over and play cards with mom and dad. Regular bridge tournaments were also held with Joe and Mary Joy. Mom died back in 1960 of cancer and half of Nationwide Insurance where she worked came to the funeral and our family eventually wound up splitting up. Dad went to St. Joseph Mo., my brother to Minneapolis and later to the Air Force and I moved into town with my sister and Daddy Mike. My sister, Patti and I were both active in the Butler Little Theatre with Guys and Dolls and Inherit the Wind and a few other productions with Sid Jaffe and a number of others who became great friends although much older than I.
A friend of my sister's, Nancy Miller, was working at the court house and heard about a boy's school in Hershey that I might be able to get into, so in 1963, after taking the entrance exams. Nancy, if you happen to read this, thanks for helping to put me on the right road.
After graduating at 17 in 1966, I came back to Butler although my brother, sister and dad had all left years before. Daddy Mike had opted to stay and was living in the YMCA so I also got a room there. At 17, my options were limited and I decided almost anyone could get a job at a fast food restaurant so I went to Morgan's Drive In and interviewed with Bill Morgan. I found out that he used to be my parent's paperboy when he was younger and remembered my parents and that they always treated him well.. He gave me a chance and soon I was not just cutting onions and peeling potatoes, but learning how to make KFC, working the short order grill, the teletray and the dishwasher. After a month, I learned he was opening a new restaurant and was considering me to be one of the assistant managers. I decided to check into the Army first since the draft was in full swing with Viet Nam going strong and wound up enlisting in the Army Security Agency for the next four years and got married and moved to Minneapolis, Mn. When I got out since my sister had moved there.
I had a job as a mail order manager at Wheel Goods which was a national bike parts wholesaler and retailer and noticed an order from Butler for one of our customers. On a whim, I put a note in with his order, explaining that I was originally from Butler and asking about the old sandwich shop. He replied with not only was it still there but sent me a case of Yero's hot dog sauce, which was a little bit of Heaven for me for several months. I wish I could remember his name in case he's still around and reads this blog. I have since found the recipe in this blog as well as another with slightly different ingredients and instructions but essentially the same. I haven't tried making it yet but will soon. I'm sorry to hear about the tax troubles and subsequent closing of the old place.
Thanks again to Charles and all the rest who made this log possible and the great memories it brought back to me. Sorry for rambling on, but I had a lot of great memories of Butler I've been unable to share.
Dennis Hape
San Antonio, TX.
Nothing to add 'cept maybe one thought ...
One of the last times I was there prior to its door-closing demise, standing in line for a couple boxes "to go" (My turn to cook dinner, and this was one of the few ways I could pull it off, even being modestly heroic!). Person behind me, an old buddy who like me, grew up sucking down Klutinoty hots, leaned in and simply said ...
"Reminiscing?"
Broke me up then, and now. Still, little did we know the time of Butler Hot Dog's magical, mystery mud was nigh ...
We all miss the "experience" and my nights providing dinner aren't nearly so "heroic."
Lordy, I'm dying ...sitting here, looking at that picture of a Klutinotyhotty with that puckering dill pickle astride a scrawny wiener all wrapped up in a steam-rolled bun and slathered with a stick full of the magic, mystery mud and sugared onions...
Man, I could go for about a half dozen right now, making up for lost time that's passed us bye ...
I want the recipe for the gravy!! Someone told me you can buy the gravy at Miller's Meat Market, but I never checked it out.
I've sure enjoyed reading these posts. I recall the lady with "the rainbow shaped, penciled in eyebrows" was Vivian.
I had forgotten about the wads of gum under the tables (which is so true) LOL.
Sure haven't forgotten the Hot Dogs though. What a stroll down memory lane. My era was the 60s and 70s. :)
all the butler weirdos coming in made me lose my appetite!
ALTHOUGH WE NEVER REALLY PATRONIZED THE HOT DOG, WE WERE FRIENDLY WITH THE OWNER, GEORGE STEREOPOLIS. HE LIVED ON A STREET BEHIND MY GRANDPARENTS WHO WERE ON BELMONT ROAD. I'M SURE MY GRANDMOTHER NEVER REALLY PURSUED FRIENDSHIP AS GEORGE "WAS GREEK, YOU KNOW." SHE DIDN'T MIND IT IN THE LEAST WHEN WE HAD A HORRIFIC SNOWSTORM IN '49 OR '50 AND HE OFFERED TO BRING SOME EMERGENCY GROCERIES. HE SEEMED LIKE A VERY KIND MAN. I REMEMBER ALWAYS LOOKING IN THE FRONT WINDOW WHEN WE DROVE PAST--ALWAYS BUSY.
RUSS TURNER
Actually George Stereopolis owned the Burger Hut on Main Street. He was acool guy in his youger years
cruising around town in his Corvette. Tony Klutinoty (whose family owned the Hot Dog Shop) was cool too. He loved jazz and had '56 Ford that ran on airplane fuel.
Hey This is Zach Rettig My Grandpa served the hardworking folks of butler for fifty years! PS. The key to the sauce is lard!! Shhhhh. Go Steelers!!!
In reference to the above entry yes lard is in the reciepe. I worked at the old Hot Dog shoppe for 5 years when it closed it doors. It came as much a surprise to the employees and it did to the wonderful customers. I miss working for a kind,wonderful boss. Jim was always there for his employees and treated us well. I also miss the daily customers that would come in. There will never be any place like the original hot dog shoppe. I have yet to find any place where the employees, owners, and customers treat you like family. In our family my grandmother, mother,myself, and my son all worked there. The shoppe on monroes street come close to taste, but there is still something missing. I also worked there. I believe atmosphere plays a big role in the good memories of the original hot dog shoppe.
I was born in Butler and now live in Franklin, PA. We were practically raised on Butler hot dogs. Loved them!! So many great memories. I have a recipe that my dad had given me many years ago and have used the recipe many times at functions and the comments have been "Yep-that's it". All I have to say is it tastes just LIKE the Butler's hot dog shoppe's sauce. I even displayed the recipe in our church recipe book. Daddy new the owner he said. Sure miss the shoppe though. Too bad someone wouldn't reopen even under a new name but of course it will never be the same. Loved the gravy too on top of french fries. Mmm this is making me hungry. My dad used to have a paint shop in Butler too. His nickname in Butler was "Joop". Oh, the memories. So many but too few!! I remember the sign at the door: The most important people in the world come through these doors: our customers.
I don't believe there is any more to say that hasn't been said but I share so many memories with you all. I think my earliest memory was in the mid-60s when my dad would take my sister to piano lessons and treat me to a Hot Dog Shop cream puff! Many other times we enjoyed those famous hotdogs with chili and a pickle. YUM! I also remember walking to the Butler Junior High and stopping at Hot Dog shop on the way home from school. Yes, the gum was stuck under the seats. Amazing memories of a very special place and a very special time in history. I think the Hot Dog shop typifies small town life in all it's glory! Thank you everyone. I sure do miss my home town!
Does anyone know how they made the gravy that was so awsome over the fries??
I TAUGHT MATH FOR THIRTY YEARS AND WHEN I ASKED MY STUDENTS FOR EXAMPLES OF INFLATION THEY GAVE ME MANY EXAMPLES(LIKE THE COST OF COLLEGE GOING UP).I WOULD TELL THEM ABOUT REAL INFLATION--- THAT WAS WHEN HOT DOGS FROM BUTLERS HOT
DOG SHOPPE WENT FROM 5 CENTS TO 2 FOR 15 CENTS IN THE FORTIES. THAT WAS A 50% INCREASE THAT I COULD HARDY EVER GET USED TO. I LOVED READING THE MANY COMMENTS FROM THE PEOPLE WHO MISS THE HOT DOG SHOPPE AS MUCH AS I DO TO THIS DAY. NOT TO MANY MENTIONED THIS WAS ALSO A GREAT PLACE TO EAT BREAKFAST--ESPECIALY THEIR BUTTERED THIN CAKES. SOME OF YOU COMPARED OTHER HOT DOGS AT OTHER PLACES--- I HAVE TRIED ALL OF THEM--- NONE,NONE WERE EVER AS GOOD AS THE HOT DOG SHOPPE. ONCE AT A HOT DOG EATING CONTEST MY GOOD BUDDY BILL SAUL ATE 21,MOUSE MUSTELLO ATE 20 WHICH TIED ME FOR 2ND PLACE.WHEN WE WERE
KIDS I NEVER ATE OUT IN ANY RESTAURANTS-- ONLY AT THE HOT DOG SHOPPE--I THINK I HAVE THE HONOR OF PROBABLY EATEN THE MOST HOT DOGS THERE THAN ANY ONE ELSE--- I CAN'T BELIEVE ANYONE COULD HAVE EATEN AS MANY AS I DID IN 60 YEARS-THE LAST DAY THEY WERE OPENED A GROUP OF MY FRIENDS AND I WENT THERE LATE AND ATE THE LAST HOT DOGS THAT WERE ON THE GRILL.A VERY SAD DAY FOR ALL OF US WHO GREW UP IN BUTLER AND ENJOYED THE AMBIANCE OF THE HOT DOG SHOPPE.JIMMY D'ANTONIO
I used to love to go there on a cold winter's day with the warmth from the cooking dogs hitting my senses as I entered the door. I would always get two hots and a piece of coccanut cream pie for dessert. They used to bake their own pies and they were great. It is too bad nobody was interested in reopening this special Butler only eatery.
Oh how I long for a genuine Hot Dog Shop hot dog!! And don't forget the french fries with gravy!! I'm talking circa 1950's!!
OK, get over it. Come on Charles you can do better than this.
yes, i agree. it is time for that building to come down, it deserves to be a fond memory, not the decaying interior moldfest it's surely becoming. enough of that picure too. it looks like the dog is topped with the rectal blast that it probably caused. the dripping effect doesn't help.
if you want a good chili hot dog, head over to Alameda plaza at Brighton Hot Dog Shop. i recommend the butler dog.
question for you guys
I lived in Butler in or around 1967 - I was in the 3rd grade and it around the time the new ymac was built. I lived on N. Washington Street and had the hottest girlfriend in all of Butler County - her name was Holly and she was a Dancer.
Enough about that.... my dad liked the Burger Hut best - my sister liked The HOt Dog Shop ... I am confused ... who made the best chili dog. I also remember a great cornbeef sandwitch and cocoanut cream pie.
I was born in Kittanning - lived in Saxonburg.... but have been in the south since 1983 and I can tell you South Carolina knows nothing about good hot dogs with chili.
I miss that taste - so which is best and who has the recipe
Kurt Mechling
vonmec@aol.com
wow, I think we started every school day and finished everyday at the hot dog shop. They had the best danish, that they would heat on the grill. And the hotdogs were and still are the best. No one will ever beat them. I'm sorry they closed, even tho I have not lived in Butler for many years, I still have very fond memories. Becky
If I remember correctly Mrs D'Antonio made a hell of a pizza, it ranked up there w/ Mrs Aquiviva
The Aquiviva pizza remains the best ever!
Come on lets move on enough with the hot dogs!
Why should this be one of the most, if not THE most popular entries here? It's not strictly because of the hot dogs, the chili sauce, the fries with gravy or the donuts. It's because this particular business was part of our culture growing up and so the memories are so much more than gastronomic. I find myself regretting that I didn't do something to save the place or copy the place or somehow MOVE the place so that this part of my culture might have been saved. As for me, it was where my grandfather and I went every Saturday,and during the summer almost every day before work. Sat in the same place; ordered the same thing; spoke to the same people; felt like an insider, like someone special to and part of the place.
That's why we miss it; yeah the hot dogs and chili sauce and fries with gravy were good, but the memories are so much more and that's because of the place this place held in our lives.
James Zambroski
Tampa, FL
your to fat too!!
spelling lesson:
you're too fat too!
I enjoyed this. Thanks to so many for sharing their memories!
No trip to Butler was complete without a stop a the Hotdog Shop.
Anyone remember the other Hot Dog shop in Slippery Rock?
Spelling lesson: You're to fat too!
THE HOT DOG in slippery rock opened in 1963 or 64 and was run by Tony Klutinauty, Jim's son. I was working at the Butler shop at the time and I remember a customer asking George Klutinauty about it and George telling him that "we have nothing to do with that". Of course Jim was helping Tony get set up. Jim and George got along like cat and dog. I remember Jim on my right,george on my left making hot dogs,Jim handed the dogs to me,I put on the onions and sauce,George the pickles and whatever. They yelled and bashed each other with me in the middle. I suspect they loved each other but,wow,could they go at it. Their sons Jimmy and Buddy seemed to get along well,I liked both of them but felt Jim and George were uncles.
Bob Dorcy
In connection with the PBS program on baseball, the following program was about hot dogs and the variety around the country. As I watched I expected to see a referance to the Butler Hot Dog Shoppe but no such luck.
Seeems hot dogs are America's answer to french fires...or as some would have it 'American fries'.
I ENJOYED THE HOT DOG SHOP TO WE LIVED FOR COMING IN AND GETTING 30 OR 40 HOT-DOGS AND IT CLOSING IT DOOR MAKES ME CRY NOBODY I MEAN NO BODY MAKES THEM LIKE THE DID AND NEVER WILL BUT IF ANYONE HAS THERE GRAVEY RECIPE PLEASE E-MAIL IT TO ME With The Hot- Dog Sauce RECIPE Thank-You HERE IS MY E-MAIL ADDRESS PATTYANDDUANE@AOL.COM
I practically lived at the Hot Dog Shoppe. My Dad was friends with both Jim & George (for the longest time I thought they were related to us). I think I had the only "CHARGE ACCOUNT" at the Hot Dog Shoppe. I was an alter-boy at St Paul's Church and if there was a funeral, not only would I get out of school to serve the funeral but I could have lunch at the Hot Dog Shoppe and just said, "Charge It". My Dad would stop in every day and pay my bill.
Growing up, every Sunday after 12:15 Mass at St Pauls, our family would have Sunday brunch at the Hot Sog Shoppe. Tom McGregor, the policeman, always sat back at the last circular counter for lunck while the senior Mr Klutinauty (Jim & George"s Dad)was folding pie boxes.
Those were the days....
The picture makes me salivate. LOL
Does anyone remember a gentleman named Bill Osche and was he involved in the hot dog shop in some way?
does anyone have the recipe for the chocolate merinque pie. The hot dog shop used to sell?
grammy
My husband and I moved to Butler when we got married in 1999. We were always told about the Hot Dog Shop and the delicious hotdogs they had. So one day, when he got paid we went there to try them and OMG!!! We absolutely loved them. So we made it a rountine for us, on Wednesday when they had half price hotdogs we would go there and eat. We would get 10 "hots" with pickles, large order of french fries half with cheese and half gravy, one order of chicken strips and one soda. For dessert we had a chocolate sundae. We only took $20 and that was plenty for us to use there. Every payday we would go there and eat.(I was pregnant when we went there that is why we ordered so much) It was very delicious and I am sad that it is gone. It was something that made Butler the city it was. I am glad that I got to experience the Hotdog Shop. ( I was born in Butler but never did I get the Hotdog from the Hotdog Shop until I moved there with my husband. We both loved the hots and the friendly environment). I loved how the waitress had to memorize the orders and repeat them back at twice before the order was complete. I will always remember the Shop and wont forget the taste.
I loved the chili in a bowl from the Hot Dog Shop. I think Mr. Trotta was the cook. Also they had good berry pie.
My mother was born in Butler. She had a younger sister, Joan Murphy, who worked at the Hot Dog Shop for as long as I could remember. When we lived in Pittsburgh we'd visit my grandparents and Aunt & Uncle all the time. We'd always make 2 stops: The Sugar Bowl and the Hot Dog Shop. When we moved down to Atlanta we didn't visit as much, but when we did we always stopped there.
I haven't been to Butler since 1988, but I'll always have fond memories of my aunt working at the Hot Dog Shop.
RIP Aunt Joan
Michael S. Kumpf
misterjingo_1@yahoo.com
I would love to buy the Hot Dog shop and reopen it....Can anyone help me out on who to contact? And any possible co owners? or silent partners?...I really miss the place and would like to reopen it and keep everything as close as possible to how it was...2 hots...hold the pickle
phil_n_u@yahoo.com
Contact John Capers Real Estate
at 724-287-5800
That would be great if you could do that. People really miss this place. The folks from Brighton Hot Dogs thought of doing it, but instead built a new place in Alemeada Plaza. It doesn't seem do much business.
I think the Hot Dog Shop would still do very well. It was a destination and had atmostphere.
I lived in Butler till I was seventeen and we moved to Florida. Great hot dogs and in the last 51 years I've never tasted a better dog then those served at the Hot Dog Shop. Whenever I told people who were from Pa. that I grew up in Butler, more often than not they would say that's where they serve the great hot dogs. Probably Butler's all time greatest institution and it's sad to hear they're gone.
All of you who have enjoyed the hot dogs over the years should take time to send a thank you card to the big guy who worked the window for over 52 years.He and his wife are now residents of Sunnyview and I am sure that he would appreciate hearing from you.
Lloyd & Margaret Rettig
Sunnyview Home
107 Sunnyview Circle
Butler,PA 16001
Gene Zarnick
My grandfather took my dad to the hot dog shop and my father took all of us kids to the hot dog shop and I took my kids. We had 4 generations of Stakleys eating at that place and we miss it. The best hot dogs red red gravy on fries.
My Grandfather was from Arnold/New Kensington, PA, and was an avid fisherman, and therefore would journey up to Pymatuming, Moraine State Park, etc. - He never went back home from his trips without a stop at the Butler Hot Dog Shop, and then purchasing at least three pints of their own "Hot Dawg Sauce" to take home as a special treat for the family.
Sad to see it go -
Vow this is really awesome recepie. I like to eat .
Datastage
The old HOT DOG SHOPPE now closed but a place that will never be forgotten. It was a place my mother and father met,my mother was a waitress there, married and started a life together with my father. That is how I was born along with my brothers and sisters. It will never be forgotten and it still stands vaccant today as we speak. 9/2/2011
Jim Klutinoty passed away in August 2011.
orange gravy , Yum, Yum
I miss the Butler Hot Dog Shop more then my former girlfriend. 1958 and sweet.
I truly miss eating there. I left Butler after high school in 1988. I had gone back a few times and would get lunch there. I haven't been back in a long time but I'm sad to see it's been closed.
If anyone knows where to get an old stool or two from there I'd love to buy them.
J.R.
Left Butler long ago to find work, but I took a receipe a Hot Dog Shop worker had given me. Was a Navy cook so had lots of guys to experiment on. Many a still beach party to practice at. You folks are right there on your ingredients, just tweek em a bit. When I mustered out I moved south and did well making nice money on the side selling the sauce under various names to little and minor league baseball consession stands.
Folks in the south went nuts and couldn't get enough. I owe that to Butler .. thanks
yea great place jr spoiled it
those 2 stole all kinds
The old Hot Dog Shop looks like it is slowly imploding. Either that or someone has been inside wrecking the place. Sad to see a place with so many good memories now in shambles.
My first memories of the Hot Dog Shop were when we would travel through Butler with my Grandfather on the way to Cook Forest to go camping. It was always a must stop! The hots were do die for and I always had to have fries with gravey. My mom loved the coconut custard pie and I believe that is the only place she ever ordered it. When in high school, I used to take SCUBA lessons at the YMCA up the street and we used to get some hots before heading home. Once married with children we could never take a trip back to Butler without a stop at The Hot Dog Shop. My kids now adults themselves, still love the memories and wish it was still open. I can't believe someone has not reopened it. IF I lived in the area, I would seriouysly consider it. I still remember like yesterday sitting at the counter when my folks were in a booth near bye. My parents would have the waitress give me the check and I would look to my parents in total fear, since I never had any money as a kid. The would look back with this "who is that kid" look and I would have to plead with the waitress to believe me that I was really theirs. :-) Great memories. Love you mom and dad!
Bruce McKelvy
Hearing Instrument
Thanks buddy.I am searching this list since so many times .
for more information about Hearing Aid Reviews please visit http://thehearingaidgenie.com/
The Hot Dog Shop is one of my best memories of growing up in Butler. The hot dogs, everything pickle also, were lunch every day when we had those open lunch hours at Butler Junior High. Breakfast, too. No one, any where else, can match those Buttered Thin Cakes. Yumm! My parents had breakfast there almost daily. When the kitchen crew saw Dad walk past those big windows on Jefferson Street his eggs were on the grill before he walked through the doors.
I have lots of wonderful memories of going to the Hot Dog Shoppe every summer with my father, Tony Klutinoty. I love seeing my family working at the shop and enjoying my "hots with everything" for breakfast. It was like coming home after a long trip. The Butler community is full of wonderful people and tons of very cherished memories.
Yumm Orange gravy and cigarette ashes, undercooked hot dogs and a smelly waitress screaming my order in my face! What a great place!
Hello,
I am one of many who grew up stopping for Butler Hot Dogs any time we drove near Butler Pa. My Mother would tell us her Father would also stop for Butler hot dogs when she was a child too.
Now whenever I am near Butler I stop at Millers Meat and buy the famous sauce to bring back to Ohio.
Does anyone know what hot dog brand was used and the brand of buns?
I enjoyed reading everyone’s memories.
Hello, Fellow Butlerites!
While getting ready for a barbeque at our newly built house a few years ago, I ventured to find only 2 must-haves: yep, hot 'dawg' sauce and the fries gravy.
Got several tubs of sauce at Clearview Giant Eagle, and asked the deli guy where in the world I could find the fries gravy- to my astonishment, he told me he was a cook there in high school and all it was, was....wait for it...
the crisp from the cooked hot dogs on the flat top mixed with a roux of yes, lard and equal amount of flour.
That gravy is a delicious memory best left where it was enjoyed, like a first kiss!
My first memories were walking in and facing that colossal cashier desk at 7 years old after being crammed beside grownups in between the doors "the best customers ever went through!" Was it the afterglow from services at Covenant Presby, hanging out with my Dad, or the yelling out of orders that bring me back to good days?
And now, I have the joy of knowing the Klute family for 18 years, after being invited to Dave and Terri's for Bible study, and eventually meeting my husband and other good friends there. It is a joy to run into Mrs. Klute and share her gracious stories and see all the good her grandkids bring this world in God's name. Bless you!
Best to the "About a Mile Band" in Nashville- keep rockin' the gospel, guys! (Adam, etc)
Kiersten Sutton-Petsinger
Gravy can be purchased downtown Butler at Millers meats. Klutinoty family
Oh the memories does anyone have the recipe for the hot dog sauce and gravy , if so could you email me with the recipe ladylovebugg@hotmail.com I so want to taste these dogs again . Please !!
I grew up there but live in Wisconsin for years, am so home sick for these
I loved their hamburgers - best around town!
Haven't had a good hot dog since!! BHS class of '61.
Al Harmon
In the summer of 1981 I went back to Butler from my home in San Diego to attend the 25th Reunion of the BHS Class of '56. After the Reunion dinner and an after-hours party in someone's hotel room. John Cippolone. who also lived in California, asked me if I wanted a hot dog. We drove to the Hot Dog at 4 AM and each of us had four chili dogs and fries with gravy. I still remember that great moment.
A few weeks later I was back at work and was negotiating an agreement with a tire company in Ohio. Their lawyer was Harry Pepper, also in the class of '56. The first thing he said was: "I heard you were eating hot dogs at 4 AM after the reunion."
Several years ago, I was visiting Butler with my daughter and the first thing I wanted to do was to take her to the Hot Dog. Sadly, it had closed about 6 months earlier.
I left Butler in 1958 to join the Army. Living in Va. now since 1974. How we
miss the Hot Dog Shop ! More than a few times, we would jump in the car and drive to Butler, get our fill of hot dogs, and drive back to Va. that evening.
I've been trying to find a substitute for that wonderful chili sauce since the Hot Dog Shop closed. Wolf brand Chili Hot Dog Sauce is a reasonable substitute, but I sure do wish someone would bottle the original.
Surprising that no one knew the recipe for the orange gravy on the fries. Additionally, a few individuals made a comment about the recipe published on this blog for the hot dog sauce. They compared it to their recipe stating minor discrepancies but did not mention the corrections other than someone saying it was lard. Let's not be stingy people... share the fire gravy recipe and note the corrections with the hot dog sauce recipe. I've been in Las Vegas for the last 4 months and none of the food out here even comes close to those hotdogs or fries and gravy back in the day from Butler.
There are two hot dog shop's in Butler with original chilli and gravy and the best fish sandwich anywhere.
Tons of fries selling daily in whole over the world. This is not only because of taste also due to brand and also it's delicious Packaging.Fries almost use on every occasion like parties, wedding, kitty parties and many other occasions. Many companies trying to do more business by making a different kind of french fries box in various shape and size.One of them is iCustomBoxes.They manage to offer quality via the use of top- rated material during the production of these boxes. They Use different theme and colour to make the boxes more attractive
Could I get her recipe?
Well, arnt you special?!
Sorry, not close.
Your dad had talant!I miss him too.
I'm so glad for this Butler PA Blog, It's good to be reminded of the places we used to enjoy. We know changes are inevitable, but I wish Butler could have stayed the friendly, small town that it once was. It changed too soon for some of us. Great when there6 were plenty of places to find good jobs; where families and friends didn't move away; and where you could step inside the Hot Dog Shop for something good to eat. I can almost hear the sounds.
Butler once seemed like a Big small town that was growing, but now it's just a shell of what was wonderful. Every trip back there is sad to see something else gone.
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