Birmingham, AL Photo - Pete's Famous Hot Dogs, Birmingham, Alabama

Constantine G. Koutroulakisw (Gus) inherited Pete's Famous Hot Dogs from his Uncle. Conveniently located on 2nd Avenue in Birmingham, Alabama, beneath a nostalgic blue sign, is the location of Pete's Famous Hot Dogs. This one of a kind hot dog stand truly is a famous landmark in the city of Birmingham, Alabama, and is quickly on it's way to enjoy world wide fame as the single best place in the world to enjoy a hot dog, prepared just the way you like it. The original hot dog store has been in operation in Birmingham since 1915. Although, according to current proprietor Gus Koutroulakis, it didn't actually become Pete's Famous Hot Dogs until 1939. At that time, Gus' uncle Pete and a friend purchased the hot dog store with money won from a Pinochle game. In 1946, Gus' uncle Pete bought out his business partner and renamed the hot dog shop after himself and his famous dogs, and Pete's Famous Hot Dogs was born.Gus took over management of the family business a couple of years later, and has not only served as Manager of Pete's Famous Hot Dogs ever since, but has also worked the grill himself. This means that the Pete's Famous Hot Dogs we enjoy today is exactly the same as it was decades ago, when another generation lined up for the savory treat that is known as a Pete's dog.

Credit line: The George F. Landegger Collection of Alabama Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith's America, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.