Some Texas Hot History
April 11, 2008 in History, Local Interest
The following is reprinted with the permission of Bradford Texas Hots. The research was done by Sally Costik of the Bradford Landmark Society.
Bradford Texas Hots
Dine In or Take Out
1020 East Main Street
814-362-0393
Bradford Landmark Society
Books by Sally Costik
Nick’s Red Hots
Prokopis Pete Semoudarias, also known as “Nick” was well known for over 40 years for his famous Nick’s Red Hots. Born in Greece, he came to Bradford in the 1950′s and ran his hot dog shop at various locations, including South Avenue, MainStreet, the corner of St. James and Mechanic Streets, and finally on Veterans Square. In addition to his business in Bradford, Nick also ran a second hot dog shop in Clean, NY in the 1970′s. Nick passed away at the age of 73 in May of 1999.
The Washington Restaurant
Fotene Doudoulakis Nianiatus, also known as Ma Pete, was born in Siastia, Greece in 1905. She immigrated here and married Peter George Nianiatus in 1927 at the age of 22. Together they ran The Washington Restaurant until Pete’s death in 1946. Most people remember the restaurant as Ma Pete’s, in tribute to her late husband. Fotene (Ma Pete) ran the restaurant until her death in May of 1984.
The Texas Hot
Another well known hot dog place was The Texas Hot on the corner of Mechanic and East Washington Streets owned byGus Bechakus. Gus was born in 1892, and like Ma Pete, he was also from Siastia, Greece. Gus came to the United States in 1908 and ran The Texas Hot from 1928 until he retired in 1963. Gus Bechakus passed away in November of 1977 at the age of 85. The Langner’s were the next owner’s of The Texas Hot.
Johnny’s Restaurant
Johnny Plumpis owned and operated Johnnys Restaurant on West Washington Street for many years and he too was famous for his hot dogs. Johnny was born in Greece and was a decorated veteran of World War I. Johnny Plumpis passed away in March of 1978 at the age of 85*
The Famous Lunch
James Danias, founder of The Famous Lunch, served more than just hot dogs though he was well known for his hot dog sauce. James was born in Nafphalious, Greece in 1895 and came to this country in 1913. He opened The Famous Lunch on Mechanic Street in the 1950′s.
Bradford has a long history of Texas Hot Restaurants spanning nearly nine decades. There had not been a hot dog restaurant in Bradford since the closing of Nick’s Red Hots nearly 8 years ago. Bradford Texas Hot opened in August of 2006 to fulfill the long standing local need for the much sought after “Texas Hots”.
A special thanks to the Bradford Landmark Society and Sally Costik for all the info!
Do you have Texas Hots stories, memories, or photos? We’d like to hear from you!
Lloyd Howard said on March 26, 2012
Nick’s Red Hots. Most people thought his name was Nick, but he named his restaurant after his son, Nick. His name was Pete (easier to pronounce than his Greek name). I was an almost daily visitor of Nick’s Red Hots while it was on Main Street just a few doors up from Dipson’s Theater (about half way between Dipson’s and Kennedy Street) and I was in school (HS and Jr. High, ’59 thru ’65)
Lloyd Howard said on March 26, 2012
This is for Sally Costik. I just noticed, should have noticed earlier, that there’s no entry for the Keystone Restaurant on East Main Street just down from North Kendall. I don’t recall his first name, but the owner was named Kalemeras (not sure of the spelling), but I also worked with his son, John (retired Air Force) at Penney’s, 1984-1986, at the Bradford Mall. They also had Texas Hots with their own sauce receipe that was just great. I think they were at the same address of the New Keystone, 425 East Main Street.
I also went, with my mom, to the Texas Hot at Mechanic and E. Washington. I think that was my favorite. Gus made great sauce and I always looked forward to going there in mid ’50s on till I went to college in the mid ’60s.