NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — It’s official, New Britain is the hot dog capital of Connecticut.
The city received a proclamation from the governor’s office Wednesday morning, celebrating its new title and the businesses which helped the community earn it.
“The hot dog itself is really good,” said New Britain native Richard Edwards. “It's one of those that pop in your mouth when you bite it. The chili is excellent you know, the mustard and onion combo, it's just excellent.”
Edwards has been eating Capitol Lunch hot dogs since he was a kid.
Though he no longer lives in Connecticut, Edwards makes sure to swing by whenever he’s in town.
“I come back to New Britain, you know, see my parents and the first place I stop all the time is Capitol Lunch,” he explained.
However, Wednesday’s trip was not a typical weekday lunch break. Outside Capitol Lunch, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart was declaring the city the hot dog capital of Connecticut.
From local meat producer Martin Rosol’s, to eateries Sahadi’s Hotties, Riley’s and Capitol Lunch, Stewart said New Britain is famous for its franks.
“There are no other communities in this state that have a story like ours when it comes to hot dogs,” she said. “This is a place where weenies are a way of life for generations.”
Stewart said these businesses have been part of the fabric of the community for nearly 100 years.
“As a kid I saw my grandfather and my father work here,” owner of Capitol Lunch Art Ververis said. “People tell me all the time, when they think of New Britain, they think of Capitol Lunch, they think of Martin Rosel’s, they think of hot dogs.”
City and state leaders want to keep that thought alive with ambitions of taking New Britain’s dogged designation beyond Connecticut.
“I will submit formal legislation to make New Britain hot dog capital of the United States of America,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, (D-CT). “It's going to be controversial. It's going to be hard fought. We have to be ready. We have to be armed with hotdogs.”
While New Britain’s dogs might not officially be the best in the country just yet, best in Connecticut is good enough for now.
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Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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