From Citysearch.com

Hot dogs synonymous with Coney Island summers can be found in several communities across the country.

In Short
In 1916, Nathan Handwerker, a young Polish immigrant, borrowed $300 from friends Jimmy Durante and Eddie Cantor to open a hot dog stand on booming Coney Island. Using his fiacee's recipe, he sold these soon-to-be-famous dogs for only a nickel. Eventually, these restaurants spread to Yonkers and more points west, now showing up in malls, airports and neighborhoods throughout the U.S. The menu has expanded, too, and includes hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and French fries.