The end of a tasty era: The last of the Callahan's closes

The last remaining Callahan's hot dog shop in North Jersey has closed.

The stand in Little Ferry known for its deep-fried dogs, closed Wednesday. It follows the closing of the the Hasbrouck Heights restaurant (now part of Mount Fuji) and Fort Lee (now a Bank of New Jersey) in the last four years.

"It was time for a rest," said Lenny Castrianni, who began working in the Fort Lee restaurant with his father when he was 9. His father, Leonard Sr., who started the business in Fort Lee in 1950, plunging the family into a friendly battle with the already established Hiram's, across the street.

The elder Castrianni died in 2000 at age 80. Lenny's brother, Rick, ran the Fort Lee restaurant until closing it in 2005 and is now concentrating on his school lunch catering business. The Hasbrouck Heights restaurant closed shortly afterward.

Comments

[John]

Hot Grill is still open. I was never much of a fried hot dog guy myself.

[wantfrieswiththat]

Rutt's Hut in Clifton has the best fried dogs! Sad to see Callahan's go though.

[Bill Weightman]

Callahan's, Hirams, and Palisades Amusement Park were a staple of the 1960s for those experiencing teen-age angst. The three institutions are where we met, where we dated, and
where we ate. Now all are just a memory.

[Don]

Rutt's is still the best for fried hot dogs.

[al molinaro]

i remember going there in th e early 50"s and a youhoo soda and a dog and fryies, only 25 cents.many of dates were taken to callahans and you had money left over ohhh the good old days.

[frank]

would have been nice if callahans would have let their regulars know it was closing! was just there sunday like every sunday before that.

[Greg]

Glad I got a few when I was back home in 2005. Sad to see it go.

[Paul]

Perhaps someone would be interested in purchasing the rights to the brand and opening a new location.

[Reverend Flash]

Hey Bill - Unless you heard something I didn't, the Hiram's is still there.

(Get it while you can.)