Shorty's Lunch
Description
Shorty's Lunch is a Washington, Pennsylvania-based hot dog lunch counter. A "local landmark," Shorty's has been owned by the Alexas family since the 1930s. It has two locations, including the main facility on West Chestnut Street in Washington, as well as in Canton. The main restaurant has old wooden booths, a dining counter, as well a large storefront, showing the grill to pedestrians.ProductsThe trademark menu item is an Albert's frank with chili sauce, mustard and onions, as well as french fries with gravy. The food is inexpensive, with the hot beef dinner being the most expensive menu item at $7. Shorty's main location sells 600-700 hot dogs a day.The chili sauce is especially favored by customers. The secret recipe takes 4 hours to prepare each 7 to 10 gallon batch. American soldiers serving abroad in England, Germany, Japan, and Vietnam have all received shipments of Shorty's chili sauce in the mail from their mothers. The favored supplier of the hot dogs has changed over time from locations in Germantown, Johnstown, and Green Valley Packing in Taylorstown.Reputation and customer baseThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says that "he Shorty's name commands a customer loyalty many businesses only dream of developing." That customer loyalty extends to former residents, who make a point to return to Shorty's when they're in town, especially during the holidays. The Observer-Reporter describes Shorty's as having a "local brand recognition that a lot of companies can only dream about" and that a book could be written on the restaurant.
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