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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Lustig Hot Dogs Coming to Bethlehem

John Lustig, Jr.
Remember Lustig hot dogs? They were the wieners used at Potts, Willie Joe's, Pete's, Richards and other revered hot dog stands. You could buy them at Laneco foodliner, too. They were the staple of John Lustig's Meats, which operated out of Quakertown between 1966 and 2000. Now John Lustig, Jr. has an innovative way for selling hot dogs in Bethlehem. Instead of off the grill or out of a frier, his dogs will be encased on site, cooked in a smokehouse for two hours, and go directly from there onto your bun. At their May 27, 2015 meeting, Bethlehem's Zoning Hearing Board unanimously approved his application for a special exception to operate a hot dog business at 835 N. New Street. Their only complaint was that he failed to provide a few samples of his fare.

His eatery will be open six days a week, between 11 AM and 6 PM. It will be strictly take out, and customers standing in line can watch as their hot dogs, made of beef, pork and seasonings, are encased and smoked. It will be strictly take out. He will also sell chips, milk and bottled soda. Because his dogs are bigger than the normal fare, he will charge $2.50.

Lustig explained that 99% of hot dogs are actually cooked twice, first at the meat processor and again at the eatery that serves it up. His wieners will be fresh.

As a former employee of the US Department Agriculture, Lustig became what he calls a "clean freak." So much so that the employee handling cash will be kept away from the workers making the dogs.

The smokehouse will be vented outside. "There will be a smell, not a strong smell," he admitted.Neighbor Frank Baran complained that he is "not really fond of the smell of smoked meat," and also worried about the litter. Jerry Bozio, who owns the property next to Lustig, complained about the increased traffic this would cause. Lustig, who is under no obligation to provide off street sparking, suggested he would be willing to convert a portion of the lawn into a parking lot.

While zoners deliberated, Lustig reached out and spoke to Baran and Bozio about their concerns.

After granting him approval, Chair Gus Loupos placed an order.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wish Mr.Lustig good luck in his venture. It will be difficult, considering there is little room for parking.

Anonymous said...

"complained about the increased traffic this will cause" (!?!?!) I hate people.

Best of luck to Mr. Lustig in his new venture!

Anonymous said...

How dare You did not mention Brass Rail hotdogs ! Try a few.

Anonymous said...

@8:49,
Brass Rail dogs are very good too. Hopefully, Mr. Lustig will have a product similar in size.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I apologize. have never had a Brass Rail dog. I mentioned the establishments that at one time used Lustig hot dogs. That also included Richard's, which is in Palmer and Forks. Yocco's did not use Lustig's for their digs, but did use Lustig for their sausages.

Dale Latimer said...

I suffer from the fact that to honour my late mother, my father and I boil doggies in plain water rather than journey to places that do anything else to these precious little delicacies. It's been three months she's been gone, and I'm seriously considering asking dad to let someone else do the cooking... but not till next Friday.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Dale, I am sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

Pott's will lower the price of his dogs and lustig will close in 6 months, if that long!

Bernie O'Hare said...

I love Potts but it will not drive Listig out of business. Their products are different. What Listig is proposing just might catch on.

Anonymous said...

What will drive him out of business is himself. As a former employee of Lustig Meats, his work ethic lacking, his parents did the legwork and he rode along. As a USDA inspector, he got fired only to have the union win it back. It is a government job which is to say it is cake compared to real experience.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Thank you for your anonymous personal attack, which says more about you than your subject.

Anonymous said...

It can all be verified unfortunately. His parents made great products and his father told many of us former employees that he should have kicked his son out of the business. Magisterial District Courts Docket Sheets are full of good stuff.

Bernie O'Hare said...

You just proved my point again

Anonymous said...

$2.50 for a hotdog ? I don't see him being in business for long. $2.50 hotdog..$1.50 chips, $2.00 soda =$6.36 w/tax Sounds like he's trying to make a quick buck .

Anonymous said...

Bernie, Yocco's never used Lustig sausages ever. Please do your homework before posting .

Bernie O'Hare said...

I'm relying on what he said.

Bernie O'Hare said...

The weekend trolls are out.

Anonymous said...

It's somewhat annoying that YOU ! Bernie have the right to choose what get's published or not depending on your "mood" that day. People have right to their own opinion and obviously you feel as though you are above them all to pick and choose. You are unreal !

Bernie O'Hare said...

Yes you, are a troll and have proved everything i said about you by your hate. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

No No Thank you Gay Boy

Anonymous said...

For many years we purchased from Lustig's at their plant and were very disappointed when they went out of business on California Road. I would much prefer to buy the "raw" product!

Ardy said...

Yocco's uses Hatfield, has for many years.

Potts' did use the old Lustig's, but from what I've heard, today rely on Berks, as do the IronPigs, Phantoms, and apparently the Steelhawks.