The Food That Built America Snack Sized Season 1 Episode 8 Dog Eat Dog

In 'The Food That Built America Snack Sized' season 1 episode 8 titled 'Dog Eat Dog,' viewers are taken back to the early 1900s and learn about the intense rivalry between Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Coney Island's Feltman's German Gardens. The episode opens with some historical context about hot dogs and their popularity at the turn of the century. Hot dogs were a cheap and quick snack that soon became a staple of American cuisine, and competing vendors were soon popping up across the country.

One such hot dog vendor was Charles Feltman, who opened his German beer garden on the Coney Island boardwalk in the late 1800s. Feltman's was hugely popular, and he soon became known as the "King of Coney Island." He introduced a new type of hot dog that was frankfurter-style and stuffed into a bun. Customers loved it, and Feltman became a millionaire many times over.

Enter Nathan Handwerker, who was working for Feltman's as a lowly delivery boy. Nathan saw an opportunity to open his own hot dog stand, offering a cheaper option to the high prices charged at Feltman's. With his wife Ida's help, he started Nathan's Famous in 1916, just a few blocks away from Feltman's.

The episode explores the intense rivalry between Nathan's and Feltman's, with both vendors constantly trying to one-up each other and attract more customers. Nathan's offered hot dogs for just five cents, which was considerably less than Feltman's prices. Nathan also introduced the concept of having signs showcasing the number of hot dogs sold, which has now become synonymous with hot dog stands today.

But it wasn't just about price - Nathan's also had some innovative marketing ideas. He hired people to dress up as beach bums and hand out coupons, and he even paid people to start fights outside of Feltman's to generate publicity and draw customers to Nathan's.

As the episode progresses, viewers watch as the rivalry between Nathan's and Feltman's intensifies. Both vendors start introducing new menu items in an effort to outdo the other. Feltman's introduced fried clams, which became a popular menu item at the time. Nathan's responded with introducing pipin' hot, crispy French fries.

The rivalry even extended to the business practices behind the scenes. Nathan was accused of stealing Feltman's secret hot dog recipe and using it for his own stand. The episode explores this accusation in detail and the subsequent court case that followed.

Overall, 'The Food That Built America Snack Sized' season 1 episode 8 provides a fascinating look at the history of hot dogs and the intense rivalry between two of America's most famous hot dog vendors. It's a story of innovation, marketing, and intense competition, all of which helped to shape the American food industry as we know it today. It's definitely a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of American cuisine.