The Windmill (hot dog stand)
Encyclopedia
The Windmill is a chain of restaurants located mostly near the Jersey Shore
known for its hot dog
s and other fast food. The original location, a windmill shaped building in Long Branch, New Jersey
, was built and opened in 1964. Leo and Ed Levine bought the restaurant in 1976, and opened a second location in Belmar, New Jersey
three years later. Since that time, WindMill Gourmet Fast Foods has grown to include 8 locations—5 franchises and 3 owned by the family. George James in The New York Times
writes, "Aside from Sabrett, the family-owned hot dog manufacturer based in New Jersey that makes the Windmill hot dog, the Levines probably constitute the largest wiener dynasty in the state." The Windmill's Hotdog style
is a Jersey Shore
variant of Kosher style
flat grilled.
The Windmill's Long Branch location is known for its fierce competition with nearby Max's Famous Hotdogs
. The Windmill claims it is a favorite of Bruce Springsteen
. The company sponsors an annual hot dog eating contest in Lake Como, New Jersey
.
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
known for its hot dog
Hot dog
A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
s and other fast food. The original location, a windmill shaped building in Long Branch, New Jersey
Long Branch, New Jersey
Long Branch is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,719.Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township...
, was built and opened in 1964. Leo and Ed Levine bought the restaurant in 1976, and opened a second location in Belmar, New Jersey
Belmar, New Jersey
Belmar is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,794. The Borough of Belmar is governed under the Faulkner Act system of municipal government....
three years later. Since that time, WindMill Gourmet Fast Foods has grown to include 8 locations—5 franchises and 3 owned by the family. George James in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
writes, "Aside from Sabrett, the family-owned hot dog manufacturer based in New Jersey that makes the Windmill hot dog, the Levines probably constitute the largest wiener dynasty in the state." The Windmill's Hotdog style
Hot dog variations
This is a listing of regional variations on the hot dog. Different areas of the world have local variations on the type of meat used, condiments and means of preparation, which are enumerated below.-Alabama:...
is a Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
variant of Kosher style
Kosher style
Kosher style usually refers to food that is not kosher, but is a type of food that could be produced as kosher. Generally, kosher style food does not include meat from forbidden animals, such as pigs or shellfish, and does not contain both meat and milk. In some U.S...
flat grilled.
The Windmill's Long Branch location is known for its fierce competition with nearby Max's Famous Hotdogs
Max's Famous Hotdogs
Max's Famous Hot Dogs is a restaurant in Long Branch, New Jersey known for its hot dogs. Max's uses quarter pound Schickhaus beef/pork dog slow cooked on a griddle. Max's Hotdog style is a Jersey Shore variant of Kosher style. It is popular with local celebrities and is said to be a favorite of...
. The Windmill claims it is a favorite of Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
. The company sponsors an annual hot dog eating contest in Lake Como, New Jersey
Lake Como, New Jersey
Lake Como is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,759.Lake Como was originally formed as the borough of South Belmar by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 12, 1924, from portions of Wall Township, based...
.