Nathan’s Celebrates 100
@TheConeyIslandBlog
The Coney Island Blog proudly congratulates Nathan’s Famous on their 100th year.
This weekend, signs were hoisted up at both the Original Nathan’s location as well as their boardwalk stand commemorating their 100th year in existence.
Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker opened the first Nathan’s stand on Surf ave. in 1916. Handwerker had learned the business working at Feltman’s Restaurant which was opened in Coney Island way back in the 1870’s, by hot dog inventor Charles Feltman.
Feltman’s musical performers Jimmy Durante and Eddie Cantor convinced Nathan to open his own stand in opposition to Feltman’s expensive 10cent franks. Nathan decided to serve the 5 cent frank at his stand. The rest is history.
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Coney Island Blog editor Michael Quinn has fond childhood memories of Nathan’s Famous. “Some of my earliest childhood memories was visting Nathan’s with my father back when the Tornado Roller Coaster was still standing and the dark Dragon’s Cave gave watch over the noisy Bowery. With it’s back room and numerous counters, Nathan’s kind of reminded me of Katz Deli. It was the 70’s. It was a different place. Different time.”
Many iconic businesses and attractions have disappeared in Coney Island. We’re glad that Nathan’s Famous is still with us. It has stood the test of time.
@TheConeyIslandBlog
@TheConeyIslandBlog
Nathan’s has stood the test of time. There is still nothing like the original in Coney Island. I remember eating in the back room, with waitress service, on cold winter nights after skating at Abe Stark rink. Now I bring my kids to Nathan’s. Here’s to another 100 years!