EASTON, Pa. – A more than century-old hot dog business has expanded its footprint in Northampton County.
Jimmy’s Hot Dogs, known for its “everything” hot dog with mustard, chopped onions and a pickle spear, on Friday held a soft opening of its second location at 9 N. Third St. in downtown Easton, co-owner Raj Muddu told 69 News.
The new location supplements Jimmy’s existing location in the 25th Street Shopping Center at 2555 Nazareth Road in Palmer Township.
“We didn’t really advertise much that we were open, but people were coming in and were very excited to check out the new space,” Raj said.
“We saw a couple of familiar faces – people who live downtown and have been coming to our Palmer location over the years. They were very excited for us to be open. We also saw a lot of new faces.”
Raj and his wife, Priya, purchased the iconic business in 2024 from previous owners Frank and Polyxeni Bounoutas, who were retiring.
Jimmy’s Hot Dogs owners Raj and Priya Muddu are pictured at the hot dog shop at 2555 Nazareth Road in Palmer Township.
Ryan Kneller
The Muddus operate the business with their daughter, Meena, and the family saw an opportunity to expand operations by opening a second location where Jimmy’s originated more than a century ago.
“Most people may not be aware, but Jimmy’s Hot Dogs started in 1908, and it started with a push-cart in downtown Easton by the circle,” Raj said.
“From there, it went to Phillipsburg and operated there for many years before then coming to Palmer in the 1990s. Now, it’s coming full circle and coming back to downtown Easton.”
Jimmy’s forthcoming location in downtown Easton occupies the former site of Tandoor Grill, an Indian restaurant that the Muddus have owned and operated for eight years.
Tandoor Grill will continue in an updated format at a new Easton area location, and more details regarding that will be announced on Tandoor Grill’s Facebook page in the coming weeks, Raj said
“Just like at Jimmy’s, we have a lot of loyal customers who love our food at Tandoor Grill,” Raj added. “So, I’d like our Tandoor Grill customers to know that we are working on some alternate options, and more will come on that in the next few weeks.”
In downtown Easton, Jimmy’s offers the same menu that’s offered at its Palmer store, along with a few additions of sides including French fries, pierogies, onion rings and mozzarella sticks.
The business’ classic “everything” hot dog comes with mustard, chopped onions and a pickle spear, and customers also can enjoy chili hot dogs, pre-packaged snacks and drinks such as A-Treat soda.
Other toppings such as ketchup, kraut and relish are also available.
Customers can place orders at a kiosk or with a staff member at the counter.
“The space downtown has a different vibe and is a much bigger space, allowing us to have indoor dining,” Raj said.
“In addition, we can offer a couple additional things on the menu, but still be true to our core product, which is hot dogs. It’s always going to be hot dogs. The way I like to call it is ‘everything and more.’”
The Palmer location of Jimmy’s operates as a to-go shop, but the larger Easton location also offers indoor dining for around 20 guests along with seasonal outdoor dining in a parklet.
Like the Palmer location, the downtown Easton location also will offer delivery through Uber Eats and other third-party apps, Raj said.
The Palmer location of Jimmy’s operates 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Jimmy’s Hot Dogs operates at 2555 Nazareth Road in Palmer Township.
Ryan Kneller
During its soft-opening phase over the next few weeks, the downtown Easton restaurant’s hours may fluctuate, but it will eventually regularly operate 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, Raj said.
Raj refers to the Palmer location of Jimmy’s as the business’ “homebase,” and he wants to assure longtime customers that “not a thing is changing there.”
The Easton location offers the same Jimmy’s hot dogs and friendly service, Raj said.
“It’ll be a slightly different experience, but it’s all about the hot dogs at the end of the day,” Raj said.
Jimmy’s traces its origins to 1908, when Jimmy Makris began operating a hot dog cart in Easton before opening Jim’s Doggie Stand in Phillipsburg in 1910.
Frank Bounoutas and the late John Apostolopoulous worked under Makris at the Phillipsburg spot, near the free bridge in Union Square, and the pair went on to open the Palmer eatery in 1991.
Jimmy’s Hot Dogs operates in the 25th Street Shopping Center in Palmer Township.
Ryan Kneller
The partners’ relationship soured over the years, and they eventually put the business up for auction in 2016, with Bounoutas winning the bidding at $330,000.
“I’ve been a Jimmy’s customer like many others for the last decade and a half, ever since we moved from Jersey to Pennsylvania,” Raj told 69 News in 2024.
“This one, Jimmy’s, was an opportunity that was too good to resist.”
The Muddus’ Tandoor Grill, an authentic Indian restaurant, has been temporarily closed since a June fire damaged the Huntington Apartments above it.
The restaurant sustained minor smoke and water damage, but all necessary repairs and updates have been made, Raj said.
For the latest Tandoor Grill updates, follow the business’ Facebook page. For the latest Jimmy’s Hot Dogs updates, follow the business’ Facebook page.