Chris' Hot Dogs co-owner Theo Katechis dies
Theo Katechis, co-owner of iconic Montgomery restaurant Chris' Hot Dogs, has died.
His father, Christopher Anastasios Katechis, opened the popular eatery on Dexter Avenue in 1917. It is the oldest family-owned restaurant in Capitol City, according the its website. It's long been seen as an American success story, founded by an immigrant and passed through three generations.
Theo Katechis co-owned the restaurant with his son, Costas "Gus" Katechis.
Chris' Hot Dogs has served blue collar workers, Hollywood greats, several presidents and "... every (Alabama) governor since 1917," the website touts. The restaurant is known for its chili sauce, and the military presence in Montgomery means Chris' Hot Dogs is known world-wide. The chili sauce has been shipped to Alaska, Australia and Germany.
More: Recipe for success: 100 years of Chris' Hot Dogs
The largest hot dog order placed was 2600 hot dogs for the commissioning of the USS Montgomery on September 10th, 2016 in Mobile. The previous record was 2000 hot dogs for the 1963 campaign rally for George Wallace, according to the website.
Funeral plans have not been announced.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Chris' Hot Dogs co-owner Theo Katechis dies
