Hot dogs, lobster rolls and ice cream: It's still summer

"Hot dogs and Red Vines and potato chips and French fries are my favorite foods." — Betty White

I've got Mamaroneck on my mind. Sounds like the opening to a song, but rather it's my entrée (little food pun) to this newsletter.

First: Let's talk Walter's. How does a 103-year-old business not only survive, but thrive? The humble hot dog stand Walter Warrington started in 1919 has grown into a hot dog empire with two restaurants, three food trucks, placement in more than 40 local food stores (hello DeCicco's and the fun Walter's story behind it) as well as available via Goldbelly. Social media played a part in that growth but more than that, it's Walter's great-grandchildren that have helped move it forward (along with help from their mom!).

What other Westchester family business can lay claim to being around this long and being this successful? I only know of a handful of others, namely Wilson & Sons Jewelers, Cornell’s True Value Hardware, Robison Oil, Kelloggs & Lawrence and Neri's Bakery. Hats off to all of them as it takes a lot of hard work, grit and passion.

And let's not forget the celebrity angle. I doubt Walter could ever have imagined his family meeting (and serving) his franks to such famous folks as Rachel Brosnahan of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," Liev Schreiber from "Ray Donovan," Donnie Wahlberg of "Blue Bloods," Julia Roberts, Jimmy Buffett and many more they're staying mum about. (On a celebrity aside: We don't know if they've ever met Kelsey Grammer but my colleague Heather Clark did! Read below).

In other Mamaroneck news, I've long been a fan of Harbor Fish & Company, where I could buy salmon to go or pick up a lobster roll to take to Mamaroneck Harbor for a waterview and that summer feeling. Now owner Naldo Morales has his own restaurant — open as of Wednesday — which he's running with his brother-in-law Nelson Lopez. Harbour Fish Restaurant & Bar is a dream come true for the two of them who've both worked in restaurants for years in various capacities.

I also love their backyard patio as it's covered in case of rain (but still airy) and has ceiling fans. Summer gal that I am, I'm still eating outside as much as I can to soak up this still-great warm weather.

Restaurant news

Remember when I said wow oh wow to all the new restaurants popping up and how I can't keep up? Well, the dining news just keeps coming. David Burke will open his first steakhouse in Westchester — in White Plains — and I'm already drooling. Though, to be honest, I do wonder about all these steakhouses and how they'll stay afloat (remember me writing about the trend?). This one is down the street from Fogo de Chão and caddy corner to Morton's, though that was the case for BLT and they were there for 11 years so there's that.

Also just opened (as of Monday): Catrina Taqueria Bar, at 106 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains. (Gotta check my Insta as I posted photos!). And opening Sept. 12 in Nyack: Village Hall Cafe by Salonnière, a new cycling-centric spot offering coffee, light bites and community. It's owned by Marcella Mazzeo who opened Salonnière Coffee Bar (also in Nyack) in 2019 and is located at 282 South Broadway.

In other Rockland news: The Gracie Rose in Pearl River is under new ownership (as of July 16). The cozy spot is now run by Bernie (Foley) Fitzgerald (who hails from County Kerry), Tina (Segatta) Murphy and Tara (Tonner) McDonald, the latter two of whom grew up in town. Customers can expect fine Irish food, baked goods, Irish groceries, gift baskets, afternoon tea and catering.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month starts Thursday and runs until Oct. 15 giving you plenty of time to support Latin American businesses, including the aforementioned Catrina and also Harbour Fish in Mamaroneck (owner Morales is from Guatemala while Lopez is from Puerto Rico). And check out La Casa Bronxville, which just got a Michelin nod (story below). The restaurant, like others in our region, is gearing up for the festivities beginning Friday with several traditional holiday dishes beloved by the chef's family (think Chile en Nogada, Tacos de Lengua and Chicken Flautas). They'll also start Happy Hour specials all night Thursday, Friday, and all day Sunday.

And, consider supporting Toma Bloody Mary Mixers where owner Alejandro Javier Lopez, a first generation Latino American, uses a chipotle tomatillo sauce inspired by his mother’s journey from Cuba to Mexico City to the U.S.

Scooping for a cause

Whatever you do, don't forget to come buy ice cream (and say hi to me!) at Penny Lick in Hastings-on-Hudson next Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. I'll be "scooping for a cause" with my friend Kate Schlientz of CommuniKate Media. A portion of proceeds will go to Feeding Westchester.

Did you know three out of five of your neighbors are food insecure in Westchester? This event is part of an Eating for Orange campaign running in September (aka Hunger Action Month). More than 35 restaurants from Yonkers to Chappaqua are participating giving foodies a chance to feast on a range of orange-inspired dishes, again with a portion of proceeds benefiting the food bank. To view the list of participants and accompanying dishes, go to intoxikate.com/eatingfororange or feedingwestchester.org.

But def come for ice cream!

Best Bites

(Things I loved -- and ate -- this week)

• Fried chicken sandwich with pickled shallots and togarashi slaw at The Bird & Bottle Inn in Garrison. It's seriously hard to pick just one dish here as everything was stellar. I loved the charcuterie board with local meats and pickled things as well as the gorgeous watermelon salad (a special). The crispy polenta bites (with truffle and parmagiano) were also quite addictive as was the housemade tagliatelle. I had written about the restaurant before but I never sat down and ate here. The whole experience was magical as a) it's like dining in a country inn so there's an element of being on vacation (P.S. their rooms will be ready soon!) and b) there's so much history here. We came early to hang in the bar and also in the intimate front parlor to absorb the ambiance. I highly recommend.

• Wood baked red snapper with red mango sauce and mixed veggies at Harbour Fish Restaurant & Bar in Mamaroneck. The presentation alone will grab you (and get you snapping pics as I did!) but it's the freshness of the fish and the light char on top that will have you planning a second visit. Kudos, too, to the Connecticut style (meaning served warm on a buttered roll) lobster roll that was packed with meat. The restaurant also offers Maine style with Old Bay mayo.

• Hot dog at Walter's. You can't write about this iconic spot without grabbing a dog! It's comfort food and childhood wrapped into one.

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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: I'm still in a summer state of mind