Enjoy more than 100 years of tasty history at Texas Hot Dogs in Altoona
When I first walked into Texas Hot Dogs in Altoona, Pennsylvania, I was surprised from the start. The place was clearly a local favorite, I mean, it was packed. To the right behind the modest counter were four women moving fast and slinging dogs. Dozens and dozens of hot dogs were cooking on a large flattop grill, and several fryers were sizzling with French fries, onion rings, and more. The air was warm from the open kitchen and smelled of the establishment’s signature chili.
In front of the counter, a dozen patrons are patiently but eagerly awaiting their orders. About every 45 seconds, an older woman with dark red dyed hair loudly calls out an order from behind the cash register with a tinge of impatience in her voice. The next lucky customer scurries over to pay as if nervous to make her wait.
As I watched people systematically grabbing their lunch with the timing of a Ford assembly line, I could not help but be reminded of the “Soup Nazi” episode of Seinfeld. As I stood there with the crowd, I kept half expecting her to yell, “NO HOTDOG FOR YOU!”
With a snap, I heard my order called. “Two Texas dogs, fried mushroom, macaroni salad, and a medium Coke,” she barked. Like those before, I hustled to the counter. The homemade sign reading “We need 5’s and 10’s” makes me slightly timid about handing her my card. ‘“That’s $13.75,” she says, taking my card. Looking down at the tray, it was clear my eyes were much larger than my stomach, but I was excited nonetheless. I retreat to the busy dining room, content to gorge myself on a century-old frankfurter recipe.
I found a small booth and eagerly opened the paper-wrapped dogs. As promised, they were two Texas hotdogs piled high with chili sauce, brown mustard, and finely diced onions. This recipe has been the cornerstone of the restaurant since Greek immigrant Paul George founded Texas Hotdogs in Altoona in 1918.
First bite… Okay, I get why this place has been around so long; thinking to myself, this is pretty damn good. I grab one of the mushrooms, which I immediately drop back into the paper dish with burning fingers. No one can accuse this place of letting food sit under a heat lamp, that’s for sure. While they cool, I crack open the macaroni salad, which I’d read online was supposed to be to die for. I have a bite that immediately reminds me of summer at my Pennsylvania grandmother’s house. It’s rich, hardy, and packed full of flavor. Ten out of ten agree with the reviews.
Sitting there by myself enjoying lunch, I could not help but take in the place and do a little people-watching. The dining room was full of loud conversations, drowning out the country music on the radio. The walls are decorated with longhorn steer horns and pictures from decades ago. As I was eating and watching others socialize and relax, I found myself getting pleasure casually watching the elderly couples smiling and carrying on over lunch, likely the same way they’ve done for decades here.
I wrap up lunch and walk my tray with half an uneaten hotdog still on it to the trashcan. Before I get there, another couple snags my seat, ready to enjoy lunch. I take a moment to walk around the place and look at some pictures. I come across a brief history of the restaurant written by the current owner and family member of the founder. As I read, one thing sticks, something I was curious about. Why are they called Texas Hotdogs? He simply writes he has no clue why they are called Texas Hotdogs.
Regardless, putting a little Texas on your hotdog is undoubtedly worth your time if you are ever in central PA and the Altoona area.
