Jimmie Baltas (1889-1972) was a Greek immigrant who came to Albany by way of Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1947, he opened Jimmie’s Hot Dog right in the heart of the Harlem neighborhood. The sign proclaims it “The King of the Hot Dog” and it’s one of the oldest restaurants in town. According to the Albany Herald, Jimmie Baltas eventually sold the business to Phillip Poulos, who later sold it to one of his relatives, Sam Poulos. Sam had a falling out with his brother-in-law and business partner, which led to the brother-in-law opening a rival business, Hot Dog King. The Mathes family bought Jimmie’s from Sam Poulos in 1992 and continues to operate it today. It’s not a sit-down restaurant but is known for its quick service.
I was rereading the May 2024 Georgia EMC Magazine last week, and spotted a story on famed hot dog places arolund the state, including Jimmie’s, in the “Around Georgia” section on page 30. Their fame has spread “far and wide.” I knew as soon as I saw it that I had already read about it in your blog.
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In the 70’s my daddy and I would go at least two to three times a month. I was around 8 to 10 years old, and I would love to put in a nickel in those machines that were along the standing waiting line to order. I was barely tall enough to see over the counter and watch the assembly line make everyone’s hot dogs. I didn’t eat onions back then but I sure do remember the ride home of the car filled with onion aroma so strong that you’d still smell it the next day in the car lol. As an adult, I’ve stopped by there a time or two and I’ll say it’s not the same. Last time I went, I could barely smell the onions coming through the bag. I absolutely love onions now. The more the better. In my opinion, these hot dogs are not near as good as the original Jimmies hot dogs.
this was the best place to get a hot dog in southwest Ga.
My Grandpop would travel all the way from Philly to get his Jimmie’s Hotdogs. Whenever I’d pick him up from his destination of arrival he’d always say “Swing Me by Old Jimmie’s. He’d purchase nearly 30 hotdogs & He would even freeze a few to preserve and take back home with him each trip.
Best hot dogs ever!
when I was a young boy in the 50’s, a hot dog at Jimmies cost a dime! I would ride my bike eight miles from my house on the farm to Jimmies just to buy one!! Glad to know it’s still there.
i remember back in a day when they was .25 and also had a coin machine back then they also had a weight machine all of it was in 1room and they also had a ice cream place in the same building they had an extra door back then and you could go inside of the room my email is lw9770347@gmail.com