The History of
Mel's Hot Dogs
During the early 1970s, Mel embarked on a tour of Florida with his Rock ‘n’ Roll band, sporting their picked afros and packing American flag unitards (yes, there are photos to back it up). Traveling from one gig to another in a hollowed-out old school bus, Mel and his eclectic group of musicians made their way through the Sunshine State.
After a particularly late night, Mel found himself in Tampa, craving the comfort food of his hometown: the Chicago-style hot dog. However, his quest turned futile as he discovered not a single hot dog stand in the entire city. This absence surprised Mel, accustomed to the abundance of hot dog stands lining the streets of Chicago. Ever the entrepreneur, Mel saw an opportunity. On July 3rd, 1973, Mel’s Hot Dogs opened its doors on the corner of 42nd Street and Busch Boulevard…
In the 1970s, three adventurous boys moved with their parents to Tampa.
They would often ride their bikes to Busch Gardens and became regulars at Mel’s Hot Dogs. Growing older, marrying, and starting families, they continued to visit Mel’s, passing down their love for the place through generations. Coincidentally, Stephen’s wife Pamela also moved to Tampa around the same time and frequented Mel’s with her family.
When news spread about Mel Lohn selling Mel’s Hot Dogs, the once adventurous boys, now men, along with their families, decided to seize the opportunity. They purchased the well-known and beloved establishment, where they continue to uphold and share their love for Mel’s Hot Dogs to this day.
