Driving on Tarkilnhill Road in New Bedford this week it stuck out in a big way. Dee’s Hot Dogs has a new sign.
Normally, it’s not a big deal, but something about this sign really screams “change” to your eye. It’s impossible to drive by it and not notice – unless it is at night. The sign is not yet illuminated.
I noticed the new sign mentions that Dee’s was established in 1985, which means this year marks 40 years of feeding the hot dog-craving public.
The Origin of Dee’s Hot Dogs
Owner Dee Martin told Fun 107 that she got the idea to open up her own hot dog stand after working at one while attending college.
“I thought about how I could do this on my own,” she said. “My husband Bob was hesitant. He said he didn’t want to be selling hot dogs into his 30s.”
She promised him that wouldn’t happen.
Courtesy of Dee’s Hot Dogs
Lucky for Dee, the term “fake news” wasn’t around back in the 80s. Dee and Bob are both now in their 60’s with no signs of stopping.
“We love it,” she said.
READ MORE: New Bedford’s Gary’s Best Hot Dogs Is Officially For Sale
They leased the old Jimmy’s Hot Dogs location on Acushnet Ave in New Bedford. Dee loved working the late night shift at the original Dee’s, but she refused to tell us the wildest thing she ever saw there.
“It can’t be repeated,” she laughed.
Second Location for Dee’s Hot Dogs
Things worked out so well that in 2005 they decided to buy their second location, this time on Tarkiln Hill Road.
The Acushnet Ave location didn’t make it through the pandemic, but Dee thinks it was all for the best.
READ MORE: SouthCoast Hot Dog Joints We Loved and Lost Forever
Dee’s Favorite Part of the Job
“No doubt about it, it’s the people,” she said.
“The funny thing is I don’t know many names, but I know exactly what they order,” she said. “We’ll be out at a restaurant and see a familiar face. I’ll nudge my husband and say, ‘there’s two chili dogs with cheese.'”
New Bedford’s Beloved Gary’s Best Hot Dogs Is For Sale
Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg
Beloved New Bedford Bars That Are Gone But Not Forgotten
From 908 to the Regal Beagle on Acushnet Ave, these are the bars that are no longer with us but never forgotten.
Gallery Credit: Gazelle
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