In 1916 Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker opened a humble hot dog stand on Coney Island where he charged five cents per hot dog, half the price of competitors, and faced doubt about the quality and healthiness of his food. To build confidence he hired actors dressed as doctors who openly ate his hot dogs, an ingenious strategy that quickly attracted crowds. He used a secret spice blend developed with his wife Ida and premium ingredients, setting the stage for an enduring American icon. | Histor