Local restaurant goes to the dogs
Hotdogger nears its 20-year anniversary
By: Doug Rutsch
Issue date: 9/25/03 Section: Arts

Media Credit: Matt Jojola / Aggie

163 square feet. That's a bit more than the average dorm room - the room that barely fits two people, two beds, two desks and two chairs. Imagine fitting an entire restaurant in that space ... all the cooking supplies and uncooked food alongside the space for employees and customers.

That's all the room there is inside the Hotdogger, a downtown restaurant that serves an immense variety of hot dogs and condiments. Somehow, those 163 square feet have been enough to keep it open for almost 20 years.

Originally opened in 1984, the Hotdogger was bought by its current owners in 1994. Since then, Ivan and Cheryl Franks say they have tried to keep the independent restaurant as part of a Davis tradition.

"You always get the same people, the same businesspeople, down here every day," Cheryl said. "Davis has a certain charm to it. The downtown area hasn't grown outward, and that's really kept a small-town feel to it. We know a lot of the people who walk past the restaurant, and that's a good feeling."

It doesn't take long to realize that this is true. It seems as though half the passersby stop in to say a quick hello on their morning walk. Davis is a strange town, with almost equal numbers of students and permanent residents. Even though the Hotdogger customers are frequently Davis natives, the owners have different ways to get in touch with students.

Not only does the downtown real estate invite those walking around, they also have a hot dog cart on 3rd Street, right across from campus. Situated at 129 E St., with Sophia's Thai Kitchen directly next door, the Hotdogger stays open on Wednesday and Thursday nights until 2 a.m. With the absence of any 24-hour diner, the Franks hope the students will use the restaurant after their late-night forays.

In the presence of his wife, Ivan sheepishly admitted to girls who have come out of Sophia's and flashed the employees in an attempt to get free hot dogs. Unfortunately, the story of the Hotdogger takes a turn that will sound familiar to many of the residents. As the expenses of living in Davis increases, the Franks are forced to look elsewhere for housing, and the couple recently purchased a new home in Woodland. Although the Hotdogger will remain unchanged, the move is indicative of the growing pains Davis is currently experiencing.

"The college is taking over the town," Ivan said. "Some people are concerned that the campus will take over and change everything, and the town will be different. I don't think it will happen, but people are nervous about Davis losing its small-town feel."

Despite the constant changes in the city of Davis, the Franks say that the Hotdogger has stayed relatively unchanged through the years. With good food and an amazingly friendly atmosphere, the restaurant invites anyone walking through the downtown area.

"Hot dog eaters are all the same kind of people," Ivan said. "You've got students and businesspeople and they all come here. It's not a class thing. Everyone likes hot dogs."