For decades, summer in Toronto wasn’t official until you stood in a jammed lineup at the CNE, 60 cents in hand, waiting for a Kwinter’s hot dog. It was a ritual, just like going to the fair itself.
Operating out of a small manufacturing facility on Simcoe St. in downtown Toronto, Kwinter’s was founded in 1946 by Sam Kwinter, together with his father, Aaron Kwinter, who was a kosher butcher in Kensington Market.
When Aaron died in 1955, Sam carried the business forward, building Kwinter’s into a recognizable Toronto packaged food brand, and expanded the product line to include products like frozen corn dogs, known as Dixie Dogs, and even potato chips.
Kwinter’s storefront in its early days, it was founded in 1946 by Sam Kwinter, together with his father, Aaron Kwinter, who was a local butcher.
Kwinter’s
But by 1972, the grills at the CNE went cold. The family behind the famous local hot dog pivoted to the egg business, and the Hot Dog King mascot became a relic of Toronto’s culinary past — that is, until now.
A family legacy relaunched
Sean Kwinter grew up surrounded by the family’s egg business, but his childhood was soundtracked by stories of his grandfather, Sam. “Kwinter’s was never just a brand name to me,” Sean said. “It was our family story. My grandfather was a natural salesman who cared deeply about quality. Honouring that is the heart of what we’re doing today.”
In January, Sean officially brought the crown back, relaunching the original all-beef kosher recipe across Toronto grocery shelves, stating that this “felt like the right time.”
The clean original
Long before “clean eating” was a marketing buzzword, Sam Kwinter was obsessed with standards. Today’s relaunch stays true to that stubbornness: 100 per cent kosher beef, natural smoking, and, mostly, zero fillers.
While Sean has expanded the line to include chicken dogs, the core remains the same recipe that fuelled the city 80 years ago.
King Sam, the brand’s mascot, remains on the packaging today.
Kwinter’s
Meeting King Sam
The most visible tribute to the past sits right on the package. The brand’s mascot, King Sam, is a direct evolution of the original Hot Dog King character created by the elder Kwinter.
“It felt only natural to honour his legacy by officially naming the logo King Sam,” Sean said. “He’s the spirit of the brand moving into this next chapter.”
Where to find the King
While the city waits with bated breath to see if a Kwinter’s booth will return to the CNE grounds this August, the brand is hitting the summer circuit through pop-ups and collaborations.
For those who can’t wait for festival season, the King has already reclaimed territory in more than 25 local retailers, including Fiesta Farms, Sanagans Meat Locker, and select Metro locations.