Chris' Famous Hot Dogs

Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs has been around in Montgomery, Alabama, since 1917. Since their opening, they have seen numerous important historical events unfold right outside their doors. The store is owned and operated by the same family that founded it. Christopher ("Chris") Katechis was the first owner, and the restaurant is now run by his son and grandson. During the Civil Rights movement, the hot dog shop was frequented by Martin Luther King, Jr., who preached at a nearby church. The shop was an important location for the movement, as it sat in the heart of one of the most prominent cities in the South and was one of the few places where Black individuals were allowed to enter through the front door. The shop was prominent in the 1970s, during which numerous companies and family-owned businesses were leaving Montgomery, but the hot dog shop stayed strong. The shop recently passed its 100th year, and it continues to be a Montgomery institution, having made its mark on the city as an important symbol of resilience and permanence. Patrons praise Chris' for its high-quality food and family-friendly atmosphere, and the beloved Montgomery shop welcomes new faces from near and far on a daily basis.

The history of Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs extends back to the civil war period, where the very street the shop sits on (Dexter Avenue) was an important road for travel through the city and for sending telegrams. A march for civil rights took place on the street, and the area surrounding the hot dog shop is likewise rich with American history. Chris' now welcomes individuals from all races, states, and walks of life. Beyond just individuals who were leaders of the civil rights movement, the shop has also served celebrities, U.S. presidents, world renowned authors, and famous actors, and every Alabama governor that has been in office since its opening day. The building did not begin as a hot dog stand, but it evolved quickly to become the landmark that it is today: the company does catering, out of state (and out of country) shipping of sauces and ingredients, and more. Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs is the oldest family restaurant in Montgomery, and after having 100 years of history behind them, the restaurant has no plans on closing anytime soon. Chris' treats employees like family, and is proud to say that they have had employees stick around for over half of the restaurant's history.

Hot dogs and the South

Hot dogs themselves are an important part of American history and culture, as they have been prized since the Great Depression as a cheap, tasty food source. In the American South, numerous regional and cultural differences have influenced the way people prepare their hot dogs: many of these variations involve chili, which is one of the most popular toppings seen at Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs. Some Southern states even have their own special kind of hot dog, known as a “red hot”. This hot dog gets its name from its bright red color and unique flavor, and the image of the Southern “red hot” has influenced the way we see hot dogs today in advertisements and pop culture. Hot dogs have created a special place for themselves in Southern barbecue, which is notoriously regional and varies wildly from state to state.

Restaurants and the Civil Rights Movement

Local institutions that bolstered movements have had a significant impact on federal change, especially in reference to the Civil Rights Movement. Many important facets of the civil rights movement started on the micro-level, beginning with sit-ins in restaurants, movie theaters, bus boycotts, etc., that mostly affected the immediate town or city. Small movements are integral to making macro-level change, as no government wants to look like they cannot handle their own people. Small movements needed to start somewhere, however, and local restaurants and meeting grounds like Chris' were integral in providing safe, private meeting spaces for civil rights leaders.

The sit-in movement began in Greensboro, NC, in 1960, and lasted past the end of the movement. Sit-ins were a very effective way to create change, due to the fact that restaurants are such pivotal spaces for gathering and therefore places where an idea can easily get out and be seen. Along with the fact that sit-ins often ended in arrests where the protestors went willingly, this helped to build up support with the movement (as it was clear how serious and willing these protestors were to be sent to jail for their cause). Sit-ins were especially important in Washington, DC, and in Maryland, as they were a more universal method of protest (integrated restaurants were relatively rare in the South/Southeast at the time). Moreover, any protests that took place in a restaurant setting were fully public and often very visible.

Non-violent Civil Rights Protests in Alabama

Violence is generally common and can even be important in politics, but many leaders in the Black Freedom Struggle (especially Martin Luther King) have taken a nonviolent approach, influenced by the works of Gandhi. King used nonviolence as a political tactic to gain the sympathy of liberal Whites, who would rather support the civil rights movement if it was clear that violence was being done against them as they refused to fight back. In sit-ins at restaurants in Montgomery, AL, nonviolent Black protesters were arrested but chose to go willingly to jail; this garnered support for the cause because it showed both commitment and also demonstrated that protesters were not the ones in the wrong. Prominent organizers of sit-ins in the state would frequently dine and discuss plans at Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs. Though no sit-in took place at this location, Chris' helped normalize the integration of restaurant spaces by allowing Black diners to enter through the main door, rather than the back.

With the success of these smaller actions, change began to spread to the macro-level, influencing federal policy. Alabama was in the spotlight for much of the Civil Rights Movement: the violence committed against protesters in Birmingham was one of the factors that finally motivated federal change, due to the level of media coverage that surrounded these incidents. The nonviolent nature of these protests made the violent responses even more jarring, which made local, state, and federal officials realize that something must be done.

Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs in Birmingham has cemented its place as a respected part of the community. This level of respect and permanence gives restaurants more power with regard to the choices they make and the causes they support, even if they are only apparently doing something small.

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Butler, S. (2013, August 28). The extra-long history of the hot dog. History.com. Retrieved December 6, 2022, from https://www.history.com/news/break-out-the-buns-the-history-of-the-hot-dog 

“Chris' Famous Hotdogs: Our History.” Chris' Famous Hotdogs | Our History. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.chrishotdogs.com/about-us. 

Johnson Warnke, Melissa. “Montgomery Landmark Chris' Hot Dogs Approaches 100th Birthday.” Made in Alabama, March 20, 2017. https://www.madeinalabama.com/2017/03/chris-hot-dogs/. 

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