At the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues sits Nathan’s Famous, the iconic Coney Island establishment that is synonymous with summertime in New York City. While Coney Island has seen periods of decline and revitalization over the past century, Nathan’s Famous has remained a constant fixture since opening in 1916.

Facade of Feltman’s Restaurant Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker founded Nathan’s after working as an employee at Feltman’s, Coney Island’s very first hot dog stand. Handwerker slept on the kitchen floor to save enough money to open his own restaurant, eventually earning $300 to branch out on his own. Contributing to the rise of cheap and convenient American food, Nathan’s Famous lured customers away from Feltman’s by selling hot dogs at half the cost for one nickel each.

In 1920, Nathan’s building on 1310 Surf Avenue was adorned with neon signs that still light up the streets today. That same year, the subway line was extended, leading to an explosion in Coney Island’s popularity as a summertime destination. During this era, Nathan’s Famous was estimated to have sold over 75,000 hot dogs each weekend. Growing demand led the restaurant to expand throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The present-day appearance of Nathan’s has not changed substantially since the 1950s.

Photograph of Stillwell Avenue station platform on the BMT’s West End Line in 1942. Here's a glimpse of the subway station that helped shape today's Coney Island.

Over the decades, Nathan’s Famous became much more than a hot dog stand. Today, it is considered an American institution filled with a century of memories and traditions. The beloved Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest held every Fourth of July can be traced all the way back to the restaurant’s founding. It all started on July 4, 1916 when four immigrants held a hot dog eating contest to prove who was the most patriotic. Or so it was thought! (This was later revealed to a promotional myth!)

Nathan’s, 1966, 50th anniversary. Sign attached to wall: “Nathan’s delicious franks, 25 \[cents]; open all year.” Threats to Nathan’s Famous have arisen over the years. Mayor Bloomberg’s rezoning plan left the restaurant vulnerable to redevelopment. Preservation groups including Save Coney Island! called on the Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate the building, but protections were not granted. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy forced Nathan’s to close for the first time in its history. And yet, Nathan’s Famous has remained resilient through it all, providing a respite for thousands of New Yorkers whose summers would be incomplete without enjoying a hot dog with family and friends.