Chris’ Hotdogs listed among historically significant American restaurants

Reading time: 2 minutes

Chris' Hot Dog Montg
Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs. (Emilyn Hamn / The Bama Buzz)

Chris’ Hotdogs has been an icon of Montgomery for over 100 years and the classic diner recently received recognition as one of the most historically significant restaurants in the country.

Tourism site Lonely Planet included Chris’ Famous Hotdogs on its list of “famous restaurants in America that come with a side of history”.

The restaurant, opened in 1917, is famous for its hot dogs that feature their signature chili sauce as well as hamburgers and various other sides. Over the decades, Chris’ has found itself in the middle of history as numerous historical figured walked through their doors to grab a hot dog.

Hot dogs and history

Chris' Hot Dogs Montgomery
Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs. (Emilyn Hamn / The Bama Buzz)

Lonely Planet name checks a few of the historical figures who have dined at Chris’ over the years, including:

  • F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald – One of the great couples of literary history frequently enjoyed a meal together at Chris’.
  • Hank Williams – Legend has it that the country star wrote his classic “Hey Good Lookin” at Chris’.
  • President Franklin D. Roosevelt – The country’s longest-serving president was known to have a box of Chris’ hot dogs brought to his train car any time he passed through Montgomery.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. – The civil rights hero was once a regular at Chris’ back when he served as a pastor down the street at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.

What’s your favorite historic restaurant in Alabama? Let us know by posting on social media and tagging The Bama Buzz.

Matt Scalici
Matt Scalici
Articles: 27