Walter’s Hot Dogs has earned its share of accolades over the years, everything from a “Chef’s Pick” on the Food Network to a top-rated Google listing for most searched hot dogs in the country to praise from The New York Times. Now, it’s added another honor: a ranking from USA TODAY for having some of the best hot dogs in the country.
The family-owned business, in operation since 1919 and with locations in Mamaroneck and White Plains, is known for its simplicity and consistency, with a flavor, especially for longtime patrons, that tastes like childhood.
What sets it apart from others is its split down the middle, grilled in a secret sauce frank made from a proprietary blend of beef, veal, and pork. With so much focus on the dog (simplicity and consistency are key), toppings are minimal. Choices include either mustard (their own blend), ketchup, chili, cheese, or puffy potatoes.
Another distinguishing feature — particularly in Mamaroneck — is the stand’s copper-roofed Chinese pagoda, an unexpected touch of the Far East amid an otherwise suburban stretch of road. Italian immigrant Walter Warrington not only developed the hot dog recipe that helped build the business’s reputation but also later conceived the Asian-inspired structure as a way to set it apart from competitors. Today, the iconic stand is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
Though Walter laid the seeds for the business, it was his son, Eugene, who expanded it, running it for close to 70 years. Eugene Warrington died at age 95 in 2017 and was known for taking the company to the next level, adding fries and homemade ice cream, as well as Italian ices which he personally churned well into his 90s. (Curly fries and milkshakes remain among their top sellers.)
Today, his three grandchildren run it along with his daughter, Christine Sand, who have built on Eugene’s legacy by growing it, adding food trucks (there are five), local grocery distribution and nationwide shipping via Goldbelly. They’ve also recently added corporate cafeteria pop-ups. In addition, they’ve done various brand and restaurant collaborations over the years.
If you go
Address: 937 Palmer Ave., Mamaroneck, 914-500-5029; 186 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, 914-397-9406, waltershotdogs.com.
Hours: Mamaroneck: 10:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. White Plains: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday; to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Good to know: Walter’s offers a video (watchable via their website) for how to make their split hot dogs at home.
Blast from the past: The fourth-generation family business has a sizeable collection of postcards from customers who’ve sent notes about their cravings for a Walter’s hot dog from as far as Nepal, South Korea and Vietnam.
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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Iconic Mamaroneck hot dog spot gets recognition from USA TODAY
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
