Hot Dog Charlie’s – Since 1922 In Troy, New York

Hot Dog Charlie’s is an excellent family-owned joint that has been around for ages. Founded in 1922 by a Greek immigrant named Strates Fentekes, this spot has become a Troy legend. They’re famous for serving a mini pork and beef dog, a standard all-beef hot dog, and their signature Famous Chili Sauce, which gives the dogs that unique Charlie’s flavor.

The coolest part is how they dressed the hot dogs back in the day – they’d line them up on their bare arms and add mustard, onions, and Charlie’s Famous Chili Meat Sauce. People would travel miles to get Charlie’s mini hot dog for 5 cents! And get this – no one has ever been able to crack the recipe and replicate that famous chili meat sauce.

For many local patrons, a trip to Charlie’s is a trip back in time, as they have been frequenting the place for as long as they can remember.