In Clifton, The Hot Grill serves up Texas-style fast food, from hot dogs to burgers and sandwiches, and has become a community staple over the last half-century. Partners Carmen La Mendola, Domenick Sportelli, Nick Dorris, and Peter Leonidas joined forces to put 20 stools at a counter, create the recipe for the world’s tastiest Texas Weiner, and open The Hot Grill’s doors on Friday, October 13, 1961. Located at 669 Lexington Avenue, this gem is still a neighborhood favorite, with fans coming from far and wide to enjoy the classic diner menu. Read on to learn more about The Hot Grill.
(Photo credit: @thehotgrillofficial)
A Winning Recipe
The secret to the weiner’s success is the process, of course. Each weiner consists of a custom-blended beef and pork combination, which is then deep-fried to perfection. They’ve also cooked up a world-famous chili sauce to top off the deep-fried dogs. It comes alongside mustard and chopped onion to create the “All the Way” fixings.
(Photo credit: @thehotgrillofficial)
Pretty quickly the four partners found success, and they saw long lines and tons of positive feedback in their first few years of business. So, to feed more people, they added booths and seating for 60 guests in a renovation just seven years after they opened the space at 669 Lexington Avenue.
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The 1980s saw the eatery undergo a second renovation, rethinking the space to accommodate hungry 145 people.
The Hot Grill Today
(Photo credit: @thehotgrillofficial)
Of the original four partners, Carmen La Mendola and Domenick Sportelli are still active in the restaurant’s operations.
Today, in its 60th year in business, the restaurant’s menu includes hamburgers, its famous French fries with gravy and cheese (similar to Canadian poutine), roast beef sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, combo platters, and more.
(Photo credit: @thehotgrillofficial)
The classic Texas-style menu is also very reasonably priced, with the world-famous wieners offered at only $3.05, and the most expensive food option, the roast beef platter, priced at $6.50. The nostalgia, great prices, and great food are what bring people in from across the country.
(Photo credit: @thehotgrillofficial)
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The Hot Grill has also expanded beyond food to celebrate the restaurant’s 60th anniversary, designing themed merch for the locally-famous restaurant. Local fans can bring their hometown pride everywhere in the form of baseball shirts, hoodies, t-shirts, onesies, and more. The merch was officially launched just before Thanksgiving.
The Hot Grill is open every day from 9AM to 12AM. The restaurant also offers free delivery from 11AM to 9PM.
