Entitled: "Crowd at Nathan's from corner." Nathan's Famous, Inc. is an American company that operates a chain of fast food restaurants specializing in hot dogs. Nathan's began as a nickel hot dog stand in Coney Island in 1916 and bears the name of co-founder Nathan Handwerker who started the business with his wife, Ida, who created the hot dog recipe they used, and Ida's grandmother created the secret spice recipe. The original Nathan's still exists on the same site that it did in 1916. Having been open for business every day, 365 days a year, the stand was forced to close on October 29, 2012, due to Hurricane Sandy. Service is provided year round inside, and during the summer additional walk-up windows are opened to serve the larger seasonal crowds. World Telegram & Sun photo by Al Aumuller August 6, 1947.