Pete's Famous Hot Dogs

Pete's Famous sign, photographed on February 4, 2006

Gus at work, photographed June 27, 2008 by André Natta

Pete's Famous Hot Dogs is a legendary Birmingham hot dog stand operated by Gus Koutroulakis and his wife Kathy at 1925 2nd Avenue North (map).

The business, which occupies an extremely narrow space, was founded as Louis's Place in the early 1900s. Gus' uncle, Pete Koutroulakis, and a partner bought the business for $600 from its founders in September 1939 (half of it winnings from a pinochle game). Pete bought out his partner 7 years later, renamed the business, and spent $500 on the neon sign that still advertises the store. On January 18, 1948, Gus' father George, who owned a fruit distribution business on Morris Avenue, sent Gus to help out when Pete had a heart attack. Since then Gus has worked at the store practically every day.

Pete's Famous serves hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks (in glass bottles). The Ziegler hot dogs are available plain or as a "special" with mustard, sauerkraut, and a secret-recipe ground-beef based sauce. You can also order a "hot beef" sandwich with the just the meat sauce served on a hamburger bun.

References

• Evans, Amy. (March 2004) Transcript of Interview for "Greeks in Birmingham". Southern Foodways Alliance Oral History Initiative. [1] - accessed March 26, 2006