MIDTOWN EAST, Manhattan — There’s a new world record holder in town – Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs.
The Coney Island staple set out to break the record for longest line of hot dogs ever recorded Friday at noon. The record had been nearly three football fields long for the last few years, but Nathan’s broke the record in Grand Central Terminal with a line of hot dogs stretching 958 feet.
Buns were set out in the shape of a 100 in Vanderbilt Hall at 12:15. Nathan’s staff was on hand, ready to sling dogs into buns, wrap the hot dogs and arrange them so that each hot dog touched the one next to it.
“Setting another hot dog world record is the perfect way to kick off the Labor Day grilling weekend on our anniversary year,” said Nathan’s Executive Vice President Scott Harvey.
Hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut, who scarfed down 70 hot dogs at this summer’s hot dog eating contest, was on hand to set the final hot dog in the 1,916 dog long line. The hot dogs used to create the line were available to Nathan’s fans for lunch once the line was completed.
The old world record was set in Japan in March 2014. It was only 846.8 feet long – more than 100 feet shorter than Nathan’s line.
Nathan’s celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. The Coney Island staple started out as a single stand slinging 5 cent hot dogs. Now Nathan’s sells food and drinks in 53,000 locations around the U.S.
Those who couldn’t make it to Grand Central Terminal can watch the event on Nathan’s Facebook page.
