Jay’s Famous Hot Dogs – a Metro Monthly photo album. In 2018, Jay’s announced plans to raze its distinctive A-frame restaurant in Boardman and rebuild onsite. Photographer Joan Yanchick visited in June that year to document the restaurant for Metro Monthly. Photos by Joan Yanchick. Article by Mark C. Peyko.
In change-adverse Youngstown, the news came with a side of dread. Jay’s Famous Hot Dogs was planning to demolish its distinctive A-frame restaurant and build new. The beloved local eatery, which sits on busy Boardman-Poland Road in Boardman, is visible from both directions, its bright orange roof sharing the skyline with St. Charles and the Boardman Plaza.
After sharing the news, photographer Joan Yanchick asked: “Do you want me to snap a few photos?
Absolutely. We couldn’t let all that history go unremembered.
Fortunately, demolition never came to pass. Jay’s changed course and stayed put. We could still have our chili and cheese and all the built-in charisma of the restaurant’s second original location.
Even if they’ve never been to Jay’s, most people are aware of its importance to the Valley’s collective memory. Mention Jay’s and old-timers pivot to the original location in downtown Youngstown. In the food-memory pyramid, Jay’s is always near the top – along with the Strouss’ malt and Idora fries.
Dinner and a show
“Jay’s Famous Hot Dogs has served as a Mahoning Valley touchstone for more than a century,” said Tom Welsh, author of “Classic Restaurants of Youngstown.”
“Founded by Greek immigrant James ‘Jay‘ Pappas in 1920, the eatery offered far more than exceptionally flavorful Coney dogs,” Welsh added. “Customers at the original downtown location watched in awe as Pappas and his younger assistants, including Sam and Frank Petrakos, balanced a row of hot dogs on their forearms and dressed them with breathtaking speed. As one regular commented, ‘Watching this guy at work was worth the 20 cents.’ ”
Valley memories with a side of fries
“In the 1960s, Sam Petrakos married Jay’s niece, Marina, and took over the business,” said Welsh. “From there, the Petrakos brothers, Sam and Frank, established various branches, including the current Boardman location, which was operated by Frank’s son, Gregory, until recently. Gregory Petrakos noted with pride that the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of original customers continue to patronize the restaurant, often sharing stories about its colorful past.”
– Mark C. Peyko
“Classic Restaurants of Youngstown.” By Thomas Welsh, Gordon F. Morgan and Mahoning Valley Historical Society. Arcadia Publishing, 2014. Description: “Remember the favorites from Youngstown, Ohio in classic restaurants such as the MVR and the Boulevard, and other eateries that reflect a diverse and entrepreneurial history.”
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