Atlanta neighborhood Summerhill is now home to a new spot for hot dogs, and will welcome a doughnut shop to the area this summer.
Hot Dog Pete's opened last week on Georgia Avenue in Carter's Summerhill development, Eater Atlanta first reported and a representative for the restaurant confirmed to the AJC. Both concepts were announced for Summerhill a little more than a year ago.
The eatery comes from Nick Pihakis of the Pihakis Restaurant Group, which includes Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, and his partners. Also involved in the project is Pete Graphos, the founder of longtime hot dog shop Sneaky Pete’s Hot Dogs in Birmingham, Alabama.
The group is also behind bringing Homewood, Alabama-based Hero Doughnuts and Buns to Summerhill. The shop is slated to open next door to Hot Dog Pete’s on July 14, with the businesses sharing a patio that will be half covered in the next few weeks.
The menu for Hot Dog Pete’s features a variety of “builds,” allowing customers to choose their sausage and toppings. Custom blended by Kansas City-based Fritz’s Smoked Meats and Superior Sausages, sausage options include the Superior Dog made with beef and pork; jalapeno cheddarwurst; chicken and apple; and the Lil’ Peter, a small version of the Superior Dog. Beyond sausages are available as a vegan option. The brioche buns are made by local business Alon’s Bakery and Market.
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Builds include The Viking, a dog topped with remoulade and diced and crispy onions; the Green Thumb, featuring avocado, pico, arugula, pickled peppers and green goddess; and the Skyline Coney Dog, topped with chili, diced onions, mustard and shredded cheddar.
The menu also features corn dogs plus a variety of sides including waffle fries, onion straws and chili, as well as shakes and floats. The spot will also serve beer once it receives its license.
Angie Mosier, marketing director for the Pihakis Restaurant Group, said “Pete was always nostalgic for the hot dog business” after selling Sneaky Pete’s in the 1980s.
“It was always nostalgic for him,” she said. “So Pete and Nick got together to redefine their version of a hot dog joint, and Hot Dog Pete’s came out of it.”
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She said their goal is to “elevate the typical hot dog joint” by focusing on “taking what’s fun and nostalgic and making sure they’re using good ingredients and taking care to build things in a way that’s interesting and new.”
Hero Doughnuts, which founder Wil Drake started as a pop-up, has two existing locations in Alabama.
The menu features brioche style, yeast doughnuts with a variety of glazes and fillings, as well as a variety of sandwiches, salads, burgers and other sweet treats.
Mosier said while opening two businesses in the middle of the pandemic has been “a real challenge,” that Summerhill has been welcoming.
“We’re still feeling optimistic,” she said. “We’re trying hard to make sure that the community knows about us. We’re excited to be there and be part of the neighborhood.”
Scroll down to see the full menu for Hot Dog Pete’s and Hero Doughnuts:
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25 Georgia Ave. SE, Atlanta. 470-369-6777
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