DOG DAYS: Our recent conversation about the old Texas hots
places has brought some mail.
John Carson of Bradford writes, “I must clear up the confusion
about Ma Pete’s and Johnies Lunch. Both were on the same block of
West Washington Street on opposite sides of the street. Ma Pete’s
was on the south side of the street approximately where the car
wash is today. It was run by the Nianiatus family. It was red and
green in color.”
“Johnies Lunch was across the street from Ma Pete’s about 50
yards up the street towards the present site of Taylor Roofing. It
was owned by John Plumpis and was yellow in color.
“Additionally, there were two great hot dog places on Mechanic
Street, the Texas Hot located where The Corner Bar is now. It was
owned by the Bechakis family and the Famous Lunch located in the
now vacant building where Gunslingers was. It was owned by the
Danias family.
“Of course, we can’t forget the best, in my opinion, hot dogs
I’ve ever eaten at Nick’s Red Hots originally located on Main
Street next to the site of the former Mexican restaurant. It was
owned by Pete Semoudiaris.
“The Danias family still has the recipe for their hot dog sauce.
Unfortunately the rest are probably lost forever.”
We also heard from Larry Phillips: “Ma Pete’s was on the south
side of West Washington Street located between the H.B. Rosenfield
store and the Onofrio apartment complex. The street number was 19
which was about 1/3 the way up from Mechanic Street.”
“Johnny Plumpis hot dog and beer place was across the street
from Ma Pete’s and a couple of doors further west — 24 W.
Wash.”
Thom Shannon also dropped us a line: “During the summer of 1974
I was delivering beer for Zega Distributing. We delivered to Ma
Pete’s twice a day, once early in the morning and the second around
4:30 p.m. She didn’t want to turn the coolers on so, we delivered
the beer, cold. She had her regulars talked into drinking the beer
like the Europeans … warm.”
Every time we mention Texas hots, we get feedback so we’ll have
more on this subject.
TODAY’S QUOTE: “The people never give up their liberties but
under some delusion,” said Edmund Burke, British statesman, writer,
in 1784.
