Chris’ Hot Dogs, Established In 1917 - Montgomery, AL
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hoteltwo
N 32° 22.640 W 086° 18.405
16S E 565212 N 3582472
Located on Dexter Ave., just west of S. Lawrence St., describes the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chris' Hot Dog restaurant.
Waymark Code: WMVR1P
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 05/21/2017
Views: 3
Marker text:
Greek immigrant Christopher Anastasios Katechis opened Chris’ Hot Dogs on May 1, 1917, at 138 Dexter Avenue. Until the 1960’s, Chris offered curb service for its hot dogs, leading to long lines of cars cued for service. The hot dogs featured Chris’ “secret” chili sauce, known by only a few family members and shipped all over the world.
Chris’ served millions of customers during its first 10 decades, ranging from local regulars and Alabama governors to four American presidents. President Franklin D. Roosevelt often ordered boxes of hot dogs when his train traveled through Montgomery. Harry Truman, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush ate at Chris’ while visiting.
Other customers ranged from George C. Wallace to civil rights leaders including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Country singer Hank Williams was a regular. Elvis Presley ordered Chris’ hot dogs before a Garrett Coliseum concert.
The founder’s son Theo Katechis and grandson Costas “Gus” Katechis celebrated a century of serving the city its favorite hot dogs in 2017.
Marker Name: Chris’ Hot Dogs Established In 1917
Marker Type: Urban
Addtional Information::
Erected by the Alabama Tourism Department.
Date Dedicated / Placed: 2017
Marker Number: N/A
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Visit Instructions:
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