Original Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs Aiming To Reopen In Spring

Looks like Coney Island won't be back to its normal boardwalk-packed self until next spring; Brooklyn Paper reports that the original, iconic Nathan's Famous won't be reopening until this spring, as rebuilding efforts continue post-Hurricane Sandy.

The storm that hit the New York coast last month forced Nathan's Famous to close their original location on Surf Avenue for the first time in 96 years, the company reportedly says.

"Nathan's has begun the process of rebuilding and anticipates reopening this spring, before the summer season," a spokesman for the company told Brooklyn Paper, as much of the equipment ended up underwater as the Boardwalk flooded. Tradition lovers and competitive-eating enthusiasts need not fear, however; Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Championship, held every year on July 4 on the corner of Surf Avenue and Stillwell Avenue is still on, officials say. Our nation's tradition of stuffing our faces with hot dogs will continue.