EASTON, Pa. – A more than century-old hot dog business is expanding in the Lehigh Valley, bringing a new location back to its roots in downtown Easton and Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

Jimmy’s Hot Dogs, a longtime local staple, is preparing to open a second location at 9 N. Third St., just blocks from where the business first began.

Carol Free, an Easton native and longtime customer, said Jimmy’s has been a staple in her life.

“I grew up in Easton, and when we were teenagers, we could drive to Jimmy’s Hot Dog on the river, and it was right at the end of the free bridge in that little round building over there. Everybody loved Jimmy’s Hot Dogs,” she said. 

While some customers have decades of memories tied to the business, others are just getting their first taste. One father said he’s now passing that tradition down to his son with trips to Jimmy’s Hot Dogs.

“Jimmy’s is great, we love it. He loves it. He’s loved it ever since he was allowed to have hot dogs,” he said. 

The business is currently located in the 25th Street Shopping Center at 2555 Nazareth Road in Palmer Township. The new Easton location will add to the existing restaurant and expand its presence in the region.

Raj Muddu and his wife, Priya, purchased Jimmy’s Hot Dogs in 2024 from longtime owners Frank and Polyxeni Bounoutas, who retired after years of running the iconic spot.

Muddu said the expansion builds on the deep connection many customers have with the brand.

“Jimmy’s is certainly about hot dogs, but for most people, it’s all about their nostalgia, their tradition, their memories. We take that very, very seriously,” Muddu said. 

According to Muddu, Jimmy’s Hot Dogs began in 1908 as a push cart in downtown Easton near the Circle. It then had a stand at Union Square in Phillipsburg. With the new location opening nearby, Muddu calls it a full-circle moment.

“At the end of the day, we think this is going to be a successful location,” he said. 

Known for its “everything” hot dog — topped with mustard, chopped onions and a pickle spear — the new restaurant will also feature a dining area, kiosks and a larger kitchen, along with the possibility of extended hours compared to the Palmer Township location.

Muddu said he expects the new downtown Easton location to open within the next two to three weeks.