The Restaurant — Nick's Coney Island History

How Nick's Original Coney Island Hot Dogs Began

Nick's has been a Fall River tradition since 1920, when founder Nicholas Pappas first opened his doors. Before putting down roots in Fall River, Pappas worked for a Coney Island hot dog vendor in Philadelphia, and after a few years he set out on his own. The vendor let him use the recipe on a single condition: he had to stay away from Philadelphia. That same original recipe, created near the end of the 19th century, still goes into Nick's "secret sauce" today.

Nick's Original Coney Island hot dogs served on a tray — A Nick's tradition since 1920

The Area's Oldest Continuously Running Hot Dog Outlet

Nick's Original Coney Island Hot Dogs is known as the oldest continuously operating Coney Island hot dog outlet in the region. Through the decades, plenty of famous faces have taken a seat here, among them the Marx Brothers, the Three Stooges, Spanky and his gang, Lucille Ball, and Jackie Gleason. Many of them probably settled into the antique school chairs that have been part of Nick's since it first opened in 1920.

A Beloved Spot for Locals and Visitors

Fall River residents hold plenty of fond memories of Nick's. Longtime regulars remember Pappas lining up a dozen dogs along his hairy left arm and finishing them with mustard, his famous Coney Island sauce, and onions in one rhythmic motion. In the 1950s the restaurant earned the nickname "Dirty Nick's," because late-night revelers—sometimes called "wolf gangs"—would crowd in on Friday and Saturday nights and wolf down a dozen dogs to ease the effects of the night before. Some joked that the Nick's experience was the "hair of the dog."

Little has changed at Nick's since the roaring '20s, and that's exactly how customers like it. Current owner Fred Beaudry doesn't serve dogs on his hairy arm—trays are used today—but the century-old school chairs remain, and so does the famous Coney Island sauce. Even with all the fast-food restaurants that have arrived in Fall River over the years, Nick's Original Coney Island hot dogs remain one of the region's most popular eat-in or take-out choices. To date, Nick's has sold more than 10 million Coney dogs to loyal patrons from every U.S. state and beyond.

Savor Nick's at Home

Thanks to the Internet, everyone can now enjoy the flavor of Nick's Original Coney Island Hot Dog Sauce® at home. As Beaudry puts it, that's one change Nick's customers everywhere will appreciate.

Nick's Original Coney Island Hot Dog Sauce packet — Nick's sauce in a packet

Three-packet pack of Nick's Coney Island sauce — Three-packet pack

Twelve packets of Nick's Coney Island sauce — Twelve-packet pack

Shop Nick's

Our Online Shop

Welcome to the official website of Nick's Original Coney Island Hot Dog Sauce®, your online source for America's original Coney Island sauce. Nick's Original Coney Island Hot Dog Sauce® blends savory beefy goodness with a distinctive mix of zesty herbs and spices. Its "secret" combination of chili peppers and spices dates back to the late 19th century. Created for the hot dog, Nick's Original Coney Island Hot Dog Sauce® pairs wonderfully with plenty of other foods too.

Buy Now

Common Questions

When did Nick's restaurant open, and who founded it?

Nicholas Pappas founded Nick's in 1920. Before coming to Fall River, Pappas worked for a Coney Island hot dog vendor in Philadelphia, and he used that vendor's recipe for the restaurant's famous "secret sauce."

What makes Nick's Coney Island sauce different?

Nick's still makes its "secret sauce" with the original recipe developed toward the end of the 19th century—the same recipe Pappas was permitted to use when he opened his own restaurant, so long as he stayed out of Philadelphia.

Is Nick's the oldest Coney Island hot dog outlet in the area?

Yes. Nick's Original Coney Island Hot Dogs is described as the oldest continuous Coney Island hot dog outlet in the region, and it has been serving customers since it opened in 1920.

Can I enjoy Nick's Coney Island sauce at home?

Yes. Nick's Original Coney Island Hot Dog Sauce® is available online, so customers everywhere can enjoy the same flavor at home. Visit the Shop page to see the available packets.

What is the history behind the nickname "Dirty Nick's"?

In the 1950s Nick's acquired the nickname "Dirty Nick's" because late-night revelers—sometimes called "wolf gangs"—would crowd into the restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights to wolf down a dozen dogs. Some teasingly referred to the experience as the "hair of the dog."

Discover More About Nick's

Twitter Facebook

Whether you're a longtime regular or a first-time visitor, Nick's Original Coney Island Hot Dogs offers a taste of Fall River history in every bite. Explore the story, browse the sauce packets, and bring a piece of this century-old tradition home.