Lou’s Hot Dog Stand

This unmarked hot dog station in the middle of the Commons right outside of Bank of America is an Ithaca fixture. They serve classic all beef, grilled, hot dogs with any of the following items kosher New York City sauerkraut, freshly grilled onions and peppers, spicy pepper relish, onions, classic pickle relish, Nancy’s mustard, and of course ketchup and yellow mustard. They even have veal dogs, Italian pork sausages, and chicken spiedies (grilled chicken cubes in a hotdog bun — spiedies are an upstate NY invention). I have tried all of these options and they are all fantastic, but I am a purest and love the kosher all beef dog with grilled peppers and a touch of sauerkraut the best. You can also purchase frito-​lay bags of chips and bottled/​canned drinks.
He uses local wieners… tee hee… from Hofmann’s franks based out of Syracuse New York. Lou notes that he thinks that «central New Yorkers prefer the grilled flavor to the classic New York city steamed or boiled hot dogs.» This is why he switched to a gas powered grill in 2001. I can’t agree more, I love the grill.
Lou is super friendly, and he’ll chat with you as he prepares your dogs. Its $ 2 per hot dog. One dog is a great snack, 2 dogs or 1 chicken spiedie is a great meal. I never «plan» to eat here as the hours are dependent on the wether, I usually see them while walking around the commons and can’t resist.