By now, it’s a well-established fact that Charles Feltman is the man who introduced the world to the deliciousness of hot dogs. Although today it is considered one of the most beloved fast foods with a near-universal appeal, before Charles Feltman made his invention in the late 1800s, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich was riding high on his invention of—you guessed it—the sandwich. Fun fact: the sandwich has been around since the 1760s! It took several years before a pair of men named Charlie Nagreen and Raffaele Esposito made the world a better place by inventing the hamburger and pizza, respectively.
America’s love of the hot dog flourished during the Industrial Revolution. It was during this time when a strong push emerged for affordable food that could be enjoyed when outside of the home. There is no definitive source as to how Feltman’s invention earned its name of "hot dog", but it is possible that it may have been derived from the dachshund, the short-legged, long-bodied dog breed whose origins can be traced back to Germany. Perhaps coincidentally, Charles Feltman was born in Germany before moving to the United States.
Visit Coney Island or the Feltman’s Kitchen this Labor Day weekend and taste a piece of history!
This update is by Feltman’s of Coney Island Hot Dogs, a symbol of American tradition and quality for decades and the proud maker of the first hot dog originally founded by its namesake Charles Feltman, the inventor of the hot dog. Feltman’s hot dogs are free of nitrates and artificial ingredients, using all natural beef to create an experience that explodes with incredible, original flavor. For more information, please visit one of the locations in Brooklyn or Feltman’s Kitchen on St. Marks Place in the East Village to try some of the best hot dogs in the country.
