Take the Dare

June 15, 2012 at 8:30 AM

Directly outside Doreen O’Connor’s Honeymoon Capital Souvenirs (16 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls USA) and adjacent to the Offical Visitors Center at Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation (NTCC) (10 Rainbow Blvd., Niagara Falls USA), sits a hot dog stand run by vivacious cook, Louie Fagiani. As part of the excitement surrounding Nik Wallenda’s walk across the Falls on Friday, Fagiani is serving up a special "Wallenda dog" and invites visitors to “take the dare.”  What’s daring about this $4 hotdog? Marinated in hot sauce and garnished with chili and jalapeño relish, this hotdog has a spicy kick.

As a long line of hungry visitors begins to form outside the stand, Fagiani assesses how much meat to throw on the grill. He entices his audience, proudly announcing that he serves not only the “best hot dogs in Western New York,” but also “juicy hamburgers and nice Italian sausage.”

Frequenters of the stand agree that Fagiani’s dogs are sure to please. One customer commented that Fagiani was “the best hot dog cook you could have!” But Fagiani does not work alone. Alongside him is Samantha Fotus who helps satisfy hungry customers as they walk along Rainbow Blvd. or hop off tour buses. Fagiani explained, “We’re a good team.”

Many visitors have enjoyed the team’s new creation. When asked if he has sold many “Wallenda dogs,” Fagiani excitedly proclaimed, “Oh, yes!” 

Mario Turi of Indiana and Tony Sciuva of South Carolina “took the dare” and ordered the Wallenda dog after experiencing the Maid of the Mist. “It’s got good flavor and the relish really does make it taste better,” commented Turi. Sciuva was equally impressed, affirming as he enjoyed his hotdog, “Not bad. It’s very good.”

The stand is open daily and Fagiani is excited to serve tourists and locals alike. “They know I’m here. They love me,” he said.