Famous 'Michigan' Hot Dog Originated in New York Not Michigan

Did you know the Michigan hot dog didn't actually originate in Michigan? It came from Upstate New York.

Several people claim to have invented the Michigan, but it was Garth and Eula Otis who started it all, according to Greater Adirondack Ghost and Tour Company.

While living in Michigan, Mrs. Otis learned to make a special hot dog meat sauce known in Detroit as a Coney dog. Over time, she developed her own recipe and when the couple moved to Plattsburgh, New York in the early 1920s, they opened the Michigan Hot Dog Stand.

In the 1930s, Jack Nitzi Rabin, who was working as a carhop, bought the business and Mrs. Otis' secret recipe. He turned the little Michigan stand into Nitzi's/McSweeney's and added his own special touch.

Nitzi asked a local bakery to make special hot dog rolls and the Michigan hot dog was born.

Credit - Greater Adirondack Ghost and Tour Company

Oldest Michigan Joint

While Nitzi was off fighting in World War II, Clare and Carl's opened across the road in 1942 to compete with Nitzi's.

Nearly eight decades later, Clare and Carl's is the oldest continually operated Michigan joint in the area.

They continue to serve the famous hot dog, that is still delivered car hop style, right to the window of your car.

Credit - Greater Adirondack Ghost and Tour Company

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From A to Z: Utica Restaurants You Need To Try At Least Once

This following list is a great resource if you're looking for some new places to try, or if you're just looking for some place to start. This list is strictly restaurants in Utica New York. Not the Utica area or surrounding towns, but Utica New York. We took submissions from all over social media to build this list. We will have other lists for other parts of our region to showcase next. But right now, let's focus on Utica:

Gallery Credit: Dave Wheeler