Mississippi Mudds is steps from the Niagara River
Since July 23rd is National Hot Dog Day, let's talk about the best places to get charcoal grilled hot dogs in Tonawanda NY. In a previous article I profiled Ted's, the Granddaddy of all places to get a hot dog in WNY. Next up are two restaurants who sit side by side and front Niawanda Park and the Niagara River in Tonawanda, NY. The other is Louie's Red Hots, which borders Sheridan Park in Tonawanda, NY.
Mississippi Mudds does a seasonal business, and offers hot dogs, burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and don't forget the sweet potato fries. Get your order to go, you're just steps from Niawanda Park and the Niagara River. Have a seat on a bench and enjoy the view. Mudds, as it is affectionately referred to by locals, also offers ice cream and milkshakes.
Not far down the street from Mississippi Mudds is Old Man River, another seasonal Western NY tradition that floods back from my childhood. Old Man Rivers has the same basic menu, with a few differences. Don't forget to stop at the "Seafood Shack" at OMR for clams on the half shell, steamers, langastinos and more. The smell of charcoal grilled hot dogs and burgers fills the air along Niagara Street in Tonawanda and drifts toward the Niagara River. There is not other place to be, no other place quite like it on Earth.
Louie's Red Hots, located on Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda is another amazing Western NY tradition. Louie's, like Mississippi Mudds and Old Man River, does a seasonal business, and is usually open from late March or early April until mid or late October.
Louie's was founded in 1951 by Louis Turco, who you may even find behind the counter these days. Louie's serves only Sahlens hot dogs, and if you ask for it with the works you'll get ketchup, mustard, relish, chopped and pickle spear. Order fresh cut curly-Q fries and an icy Loganberry drink to round out your Western NY dining experience.
Louie's has a fairly large menu for such a small place. Fried bologna with onions and peppers, steak and spinach (formerly steak and dandelions), fresh cut fries and fresh cut curly-Q fries, potato buttons, and sweet potato fries.
Grab your dog, your fries and your drink and sit along the edge of Sheridan Park, which is right next door to Louie's. There is no better way to spend your lunch hour in the warm weather in Western NY.
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Comments
National hot dog day sounds like a good topic for an article. Originally from Chicago and there is no ketchup on the traditional Chicago style dog. As a matter of fact you get a dirty look if you ask for it. However, this is only where they sale the traditional Chi town dog.
Yum! I'm looking forward to celebrating National Hot Dog Day myself!
Having grown up with Fenway franks nearby it's great to know where else to get a good hotdog.
Oh sounds delicious, makes me hungry for a good hot dog :) and what great history their actually older than me!
Sounds awesome. And the seafood shack is adorable!
Funny - when I think of Mississippi Mudd here in St. Louis, I think of an ice cream flavor. Just goes to show I need to remember the culture is a little different everywhere and if I travel to Tonawanda, I'll have to change my thinking!
Interesting Hot Dog history in the making.
Fried bologna? I'd never heard of such a thing! Amazing the things I learn through Examiners.
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