PALMER TWP., Pa. — That traffic jam around the 25th Street Shopping Center? Blame it on Jimmy’s Hot Dogs.
The iconic Easton-area shop on Wednesday will be practically giving away the store, charging a penny apiece for its famed hot dogs with everything.
The owners are billing it as customer appreciation day.
“It’s been a great year from a business standpoint — not just in money but in terms of customer loyalty and trusting us with the Jimmy’s brand over the last 20 months or so,” co-owner Raj Muddu said.
“This is our way of giving back to the customer.”
"We'll be ready."Jimmy's Hot Dogs co-owner Raj Muddu
Muddu, wife Priya and daughter Meena purchased the place in mid-2024.
On New Year’s Eve only, they’ll sell hot dogs for 1 cent each, with a limit of two per customer and cash (or coins, more like it) only. Additional hot dogs will be sold at regular price.
Muddu said the store will be open regular hours from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. — or until supplies last.
“We want to close the year out with a bang and see what a-penny-a-dog brings,” he said. “The only X factor is it’s still supposed to be cold [Wednesday], so I don’t know how many people will be inclined to wait outside the door.
"But we’ll be ready.”
Dogged support
The Muddus bought the business from Frank and Polyxeni “Polly” Bounoutas.
It has been in the 25th Street Shopping Center for nearly 35 years and has its roots in the Jimmy’s hot dog hut that once stood on the Phillipsburg side of the Easton-Phillipsburg free bridge many decades ago.
“I think to myself every now and then that Jimmy’s Hot Dogs is a good business because it’s only one item on the menu. It’s also a challenge because it's only one item on the menu."Raj Muddu, co-owner of Jimmy's Hot Dogs
The Muddus also run Tandoor Grill at 9 N. 3rd St., Easton, but it has been closed since a fire heavily damaged the adjoining Huntington Apartments in June.
Despite the setback, Raj Muddu said the family is grateful to be able to carry on the Jimmy’s Hot Dogs brand and serve its customers.
“We’re all still learning the ropes of the business,” he said Tuesday. “I think to myself every now and then that Jimmy’s Hot Dogs is a good business because it’s only one item on the menu.
"It’s also a challenge because it's only one item on the menu.
“You can’t take your foot off the pedal. There’s no such thing as cruise control. Every day you have to be on the top of your game. If that quality stops, people are not going to come.
"That keeps us grounded and the past 20 months have been nothing but positive. Support from the community has exceeded our expectations.
"And that’s really the reason we want to do what we’re doing.”
