Hot Dog!

The Kid Brother and I made our regular pilgrimage to Nathan’s (the original Nathan’s in Coney Island) for hot dogs and fries. The Dowager Duchess had coupons.

TWO DOWN. TWO TO GO.

The Dowager Duchess always has coupons. Sometimes, she actually even has coupons still within their “use-by” dates. Nathan’s hot dogs are now $2.99 a piece. But, with the coupons, we were able to purchase four hot dogs at 99 cents each. It’s good we don’t eat the way we used to. The limit was two per person and, in the past, we would both have eaten three … or four. One time, I had six. We’ve got lots of time to get in shape for Nathan’s annual hot dog eating contest. But I think we’ll pass.

ONLY 234 DAYS UNTIL THE NEXT HOT DOG EATING CONTEST.

In this year’s contest, the winner was Joey Chestnut (I’m not making that up); he downed 69 hot dogs (and buns) in 10 minutes without a “Roman method incident” or “reversal of fortune” — otherwise known as “vomiting,” which is against the rules. Joey has the very apt nickname of “Jaws.”

JOEY CHESTNUT WITH ONE MORE TO GO.
THE MUCH MORE “COUTH” KID BROTHER.
HE SAID, “LET ME SWALLOW FIRST!” 

Nathan’s didn’t have any indoor dining. I don’t know if they’ll set up tables inside for winter or not. They did last year. It was chilly and windy outside. We ate quickly. After lunch, the Kid Brother bought a really nice Coney Island, Brooklyn sweatshirt. More precisely, the Kid Brother said, “I need a sweatshirt.” He picked out a beauty that looked great on him. As we headed up to the counter, I didn’t see him reaching for his wallet. I asked, from experience, “Do you have any money?” He replied very matter-of-factly, “No.” I said, “Why don’t we just call it a gift,” and then added, “You little shit…” 
I’ll never learn.

ON OUR WAY BACK TO THE DUCHESS’S, WE PASSED THE CYCLONE AND I NOTICED
THAT IT OPENED THE DAY BEFORE THE DUCHESS WAS BORN.
THE DUCHESS HAS HELD UP A LOT BETTER THAN THE CYCLONE.

SOME OF THE DUCHESS’S OTHER COUPONS…
EXPIRATION YEAR: 1991

Author: Moving with Mitchell

From Brooklyn, New York; to North Massapequa; back to Brooklyn; Brockport, New York; back to Brooklyn... To Boston, Massachusetts, where I met Jerry... To Marina del Rey, California; Washington, DC; New Haven and Guilford, Connecticut; San Diego, San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Irvine, California; Sevilla, Spain. And Fuengirola, Málaga..

20 thoughts on “Hot Dog!”

  1. LOL! Sounds like Kid Brother got you again. 🙂 Nathan's looks like a fun place to eat – and what a great price with the Duchess's coupon! Sounds like you and San Geraldo are having fun in the Big Apple. I especially like the post about San Geraldo in the Hood – although San Geraldo looks very good having lost a lot of weight and the beard. Have a safe – and uncrowded (from the post where San Geraldo stacked his plate on your lap and then proceeded to comfortably relax in his seat) flight home. Hugs to both.

  2. I always got Nathan's coupons from Uncle Aaron. Apparently this Duchess has been holding out on me.

    1. "Mystery" Cousin:
      Oh, I remember those Uncle Aaron Nathan's coupons! Like my mother, Aaron continued to use them after the expiration date (and they were always accepted). By the way, thanks MC Von for following and commenting. It means a lot to me!

  3. Love the hot dog story! I am the keeper of the (often expired) coupons in our house. I cut them out, but rarely remember to bring them when I go shopping. Todd gets disgusted and throws them away.

    1. Carole:
      We mostly just give up on coupons. If we do have them we forget to use them. My mother had coupons in that envelope dated 1990, as well. I have no idea how old the "no expiration date" coupons were. I'll bet some of the products are no longer even made!

  4. I just kept thinking… Coney Islands at Coney Island. Seems we called hot dogs "coney islands" way back then. Yeah, for sure the Duchess has done much better over the years… it's always kind of sad to see those old places deteriorate. Looks like you're having a good time… even if you did get stuck with the sweat shirt. Small price to pay for a smile, huh?

  5. Nathan's! Ken and I had hot dogs for lunch a couple of days ago. Saucisses de Francfort, as they're called. We baked the buns ourselves and made some pickle relish with our home-grown pickled cukes. Served with dijon mustard. Not the same as Nathan's, but pretty darned good nonetheless.

  6. I remember listening to my Uncle Mitch (yes really!) swooning over Nathan's as a child…and being horribly jealous because we didn't have Nathan's, or Coney Island, around here.
    So glad you're having a good time and that seeing your brother has only cost you a sweatshirt.

    1. Jacquelineand….
      I do enjoy a good barbecued all-beef hot dog, but nothing for me beats a hot dog and fries from the original Nathan's. Trust any Uncle Mitch. We know what we're talking about!

  7. I've heard of Nathan's. But between reading "The Jungle" and Uncle calling hot dogs 'snouts' I abjure from wieners. At least these types.

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