The Spot: Harrisburg's Historic Hot Dog Tradition Lives On at FNB Field

Photos Courtesy of Marc Viquez

When you enter through the main entrance of FNB Field in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, you are hit with a carnival of smells, sights, and sounds. Tucked away in the corner, just to the right of the entrance, is a small grill cooking hot dogs to the joy of the many who wait in line. This little cove is called The Spot, and it has been a local institution for close to 90 years.

The Spot opened on Market Square in downtown Harrisburg in June 1939 and was operated by Greek immigrants James and George Belehas. At the time, a hot dog was a nickel and a hamburger was a nickel. The vintage diner had curved windows instead of corners and a curved counter with 13 stools. The hot dogs cost a nickel, and the hamburgers were a dime.

The location was soon taken over by Jimmy Kaldes, James and George’s nephew, who continued serving grilled hot dogs tucked into a bun and topped with mustard, chopped onions, and a secret chili sauce. The location would move in 1980 to make room for a new city hall, which offered 46 seats to its customers.

Jimmy’s son, Billy, would take over the restaurant in the 1980s, but Jimmy would be a fixture until the restaurant closed in September 2007. The closure was due to the increase in rent and the cost of food, thus ending a 68-year-old tradition in Harrisburg, or was it?

​The Smeltzer Dog and the Spot Dog, Photo Courtesy of Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey

The very next year, The Spot moved locations for a third time to FNB Field, home of the Harrisburg Senators on City Island. All customers have to do is purchase a ticket to a game and follow the smells from the grill. The family tradition is alive, and they are open for all Senators games between April and September.

“I come here just for the hot dogs,” Glenda Richie said as she took two to go at a recent game. “They are legendary. If you leave here and you don’t have a Spot Dog, shame on you.

The Spot’s current owner, Eric Solomon, is Billy’s son-in-law. He can be seen on the grill introducing a whole new generation of Central PA fans to the famous Spot Dogs, which have been made the same way since 1939. Solomon is one of two people who know the secret recipe, and says that they sell between 1,500 and 2,000 hot dogs during a six-game homestand.

The location offers more than just chili dogs, but themed specials that this week included The Seltzer’s Slam, a hot dog with cream cheese, fried Lebanon bologna, grilled onions, and hot honey drizzle. However, make sure you stop by before the 7th inning; that is when they close up for the night.

​Eric Solomon handles the grill that produces close to 500 hot dogs a game.

There is also the Rendel Burger, named after former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendel,  topped with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, sweet peppers, tomato, mustard, and stuffed in a pretzel roll. The Killin’ Me Smalls is a cheesesteak with marinara, mozzarella, and onions topped with grilled pepperoni.

“This is world famous, and they have been in town forever,” Shawn Spinder says, holding a couple of dogs. “Billy Kaldes has been such a great inspiration to the community. Spot Dogs is the way to go; they’re the best.

The locations might have changed, but the lines are still long for the Spot Dog, a local culinary tradition for the past 87 years. There might not be another concession stand that shares such a story across any other minor league ballpark across the country. The still family-owned business is still grilling up hot dogs the same way Jimmy Kaldes did so many decades ago.

However,  folks get to enjoy a baseball game with their hot dog.

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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com