In celebration of The Hot Dog Lady, 200 people and a Sinatra impersonator
For two decades, 96-year-old Dolores Santucci had operated the hot dog cart that stands on Broadway in front of Karl Ehmer Quality Meats, the butcher shop in Hillsdale owned by her son, Michael. She was there six days a week, rain or shine. Everyone in town and beyond, it seems, knew her, if not by name, then by her nickname: The Hot Dog Lady.
She is a veritable North Jersey institution.
So much so that some 200 people came to celebrate Santucci outside the store on the day, Oct. 28, that Mayor John Ruocco proclaimed would forever be "Dolores Santucci Day."
The butcher shop gave away five hams and gift baskets filled with its homemade sausages, and a Sinatra impersonator regaled the crowd with old-time cherished songs. Sinatra, Dean Martin, Mel Torme and Perry Como are among her favorite singers.
The event was the brainchild of Scott P. Kearny, the man behind Stocky Jockey, an online series of restaurants and hotel reviews.
"He has been coming here for years and years," Michael said. "He loves Mom."
Mom, however, didn't know anything about it.
"It was a complete surprise," said Dolores. "I couldn’t believe it. The people are very nice. They always were nice."
Much to her chagrin, she had to permanently stop her hot dog gig a year ago after a serious liver infection nearly killed her.
"We didn't think she'd make it," Michael said. "She's fine now but just mad that she can't work. We don't want anything to happen to her."
She still comes to the store regularly, though, "to see everyone," she said. "I loved the work. I miss it, but now I have good memories."
Her grandson, Dominic, 19, today mans the cart.
Kind of young, no?
"I know," Michael said, "but he learned from Nana so he knows what to do."
More:At 92, Hillsdale's Hot Dog Lady sells NJ's best hot dogs from a cart — rain or shine
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Hillsdale Hot Dog Lady is honored
