Westchester hot dog institution turns 105: Tradition rules at Walter's Hot Dogs

It's not everyday a local business turns 105 years young, but that's exactly what Walter's Hot Dogs will be doing on Aug. 25 and 26.

The popular hot dog stand, which was founded in 1919 by Walter Warrington and now run by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, is offering a Family Fun Day at its flagship Mamaroneck location from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a hot dog eating contest at 3 p.m.

There will also be live music, face painting, raffles and a kid's table in addition to offerings from Walter's food truck from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. serving popular items such as puffy dogs, floats ‒ and a new chili cheese dog.

Limited edition merchandise will also be on sale.

More: A humble hot dog paired with four generations of dedication is Walter's recipe for success

Aug. 26 marks Customer Appreciation Day with $1.05 hot dogs all day at the company's Mamaroneck and White Plains locations. To further celebrate the event, the Mamaroneck location will be open until 8:30 p.m. (it usually closes an hour earlier mid-week).

In Mamaroneck, there will be a printmaking workshop with Arts Mobile, created by Arts Westchester, from noon to 3 p.m.

The family-run business ran a similar event five years ago when it turned 100.

Walter's Hot Dogs is a Westchester institution

For those new to Westchester, Walter's Hot Dogs is local institution and a nationally registered historical landmark known for its split down the middle, basted in a secret sauce griddled franks (an exclusive blend of beef, pork and veal) served on toasted buns topped with homemade mustard.

According to its website, the Mamaroneck building was established in 1928 on Palmer Avenue and has been drawing long lines and loyal patrons ever since.

It's been named a "best restaurant" and "best hot dog" by numerous outlets over the years, starting with Gourmet Magazine voting it the number one hot dog in the country in 2001. Other accolades include a 2016 "Chef Pick" from the Food Network, best hot dogs in the U.S. from The Daily Meal in 2017, and, more recently, a top-rated listing by Google for most searched hot dog shops across the country.

In 2021 the Wall Street Journal listed it among its "Best Hot Dog Joint in Every State" story; it was also named a top restaurant by Eater in 2022 and a "best restaurant" by The Infatuation in 2023.

And while its famous franks are the primary driver of its popularity (and almost cult-like dedication), the eatery also churns out funnel cake sticks, curly fries, potato puffs, milkshakes and Italian ices.

More: Summer 2024 continues hot streak with the opening of 8 new Westchester eateries

Since Gene Christian Baca and Katharine Warrington DeCicco took over in December 2013 and March 2014, respectively, running the business with their mom and older sister, it has grown to include five food trucks (their first rolled out in 2015, and the trucks have become popular on movie and television sets as an alternative to the traditional craft services options) and a sit-down fast casual restaurant in White Plains that opened in 2018.

A Walter's kiosk opened in Stamford, Connecticut, in 2017 but closed in 2020. The company's presence in Connecticut, however, remains strong with a food truck at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport that's been there for the past two years.

Tradition rules at Walter's

No matter how big they grow ‒ and the food truck business is something they plan to continue to expand — customers remain at the heart of all they do. Which is why this 105th year celebration is personal.

Keeping with tradition, said Christine Warrington, Walter Warrington’s granddaughter and one of the owner-operators of Walter's, is paramount to the company's success.

"For as long as I can remember, my dad, Eugene Warrington, celebrated our five-year anniversaries the last weekend of August with customer appreciation, a hot dog eating contest, and close friends and family," she said.

Respecting the family's history ‒ and staying true to Warrington's original recipe ‒ has also played a key part in the business success.

"It's really very simple," said DeCicco. "Even though we've grown, we're really still just about hot dogs."

If you go

Address: 937 Palmer Ave., Mamaroneck, 914-500-5029; 186 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, 914-397-9406, waltershotdogs.com

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter .

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester hot dog institution turns 105: Tradition rules at Walter's Hot Dogs