This week, Arsie’s Kitchen takes on a Famous Hot Dog Icon located in a small Southwest Georgia town…the renowned Jimmie’s Hot Dog.

When it comes to hot dogs, no visit to this corner of the globe can be complete without a stop by Jimmie’s Hot Dog Stand. Many prominent names and mouths have tried these famous dogs including sports figures and celebrities, and a personal visit by the governor of Georgia months ago.

So what’s the secret to this 80-year-old Hot Dog establishment’s success? Is it the toasted buns, the onions, chili or other assorted condiments? It’s all nostalgic when you move away from the city some returning locals will tell you. Sometimes a Frank in a bun is all you need to satisfy your hot dog cravings. But Jimmie’s is Different. You miss the onions and the smell of those famous dogs which are served in a brown paper lunch bag and are easily identified by the greasy spots on it. Oh yes, and there are NO Beans in this hot dog chili sauce as is the case with most hot dog chili sauces.

Jimmie Baltas was the original owner of Jimmie’s Hot Dog Stand nearly a century ago. When young Jimmie was 16 years old, he made the journey from Greece to Lowell, Massachusetts and eventually to South Georgia to establish this successful hot dog stand.

My husband has many stories of visits to the famous Hot Dog Stand as a very young boy. He says the building and menu ordering set-up still remains similarly in place and also the taste after all these many decades. The famous red weenie
is a staple. But the hot dog is no longer 13 cents my husband bolsters as he likes to compare today’s prices. But he also says it’s still worth the trip down even though years ago he would ride his bike down to buy a “sack full of ‘em” as a young lad (haha).

Well, after the long anticipated wait, my son and I finally get to experience this special Chili Hot Dog moment in real time. The wonderful and enticing aroma of fresh onions and Chili when you walk into the establishment is unlike any other Chili Hot Dog Stand. Yummy! Can’t wait to try it.

But we couldn’t leave Jimmie’s without asking if we could get their special Chili Sauce Recipe. Well, we asked…
But getting their famous Chili sauce ingredients is a task easily defined as fruitless…no way Jose.

My recipe team looked at a number of chili sauce recipes from all across the globe to come up with these mouthwatering ingredients for our chili sauce challenge. We think we came very close to replicating or copying this famous hot dog icon chili sauce to give you the best comparison and we believe we nailed it. You will also love the versatility of this exceptional Chili Sauce. It’s wonderful on other menu favorites such as baked potatoes or french fries and nachos. I’m sure you will agree. Enjoy .


Yield: 8 to 12 chili dogs + 2 pint size jars of chili sauce for later serving or freezing.