Whether you have lived in Westchester your whole life or just moved in, chances are you’ve heard of Walter’s Hot Dogs. They are a county institution, serving their world-famous hot dogs out of their flagship location in Mamaroneck since 1919. They’ve been called “New York City area’s most unique hot dogs.” Earlier this month, the institution crossed county lines and opened a location in Stamford, CT.
“We saw the Stamford location two years ago,” says Katharine Woodward, public relations manager and operator and great granddaughter of founder Walter himself. “The building drew us in because it reminded us so much of the original location.” The newest addition to the Walter’s line up occupies a food stand in Commons Park, right in the heart of Harbor Point. It’s a Chinese pagoda-shape building (just like the original) with order and pick-up windows. Customers will be able to order outside, like they do in Mamaroneck, and sit outside in the park.
The Stamford location will have all the classics available at the original location but will also offer a few specials that they only do on the truck. (In addition to the flagship, Walter’s operates two food trucks). Take, for example, the Puffy Dogs, a former food truck exclusive that consists of a single hot dog with two fried and smashed potato puffs on top. “We try to keep it classic,” says Woodward. “But with the recent food craze, people want fun food so we’re trying to keep it fresh while sticking to what we know.”
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The Stamford menu will include Walter’s single and double hot dogs with Walter’s mustard; funnel cake fries, curly fries, soft serve, and specialty items like the Bavarian pretzel dog, the classic hot dog nestled into a Bavarian pretzel bun.
The hot dogs will be made the same as they were almost 100 years ago, an exclusive blend of beef, pork and veal that are split down the middle, grilled in a “secret sauce,” and served on a toasted bun with Walter’s signature mustard: a blend of choice mustard seeds, relish, and spices.
The Harbor Point addition of Walter’s is their second big reveal in just a few months as they announced a White Plains location would be opening early next year. The White Plains spot will be unique in that it’ll be the first sit-down restaurant of the Walter’s lineup. “To have somewhere where people can sit inside will be a little bit of a different experience,” says Woodward. “Dining in is something we want to pursue and think it will do well.”
The expansion to Connecticut was partially because the Walter’s food trucks allowed them to test out the market and find that there was a customer demand for delicious hot dogs across the border.
“Customers out in Fairfield County who haven’t tried Walter’s before are going to experience what five generations of Westchester customers have experienced,” says Gene-Christian Baca, head of business development and great grandson of Walter. “We’re excited for that.”
Walter’s Hot Dogs
200 Commons Park South
Stamford
186 Mamaroneck Ave
White Plains (opening early 2018)
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