About Us
From Downtown Lexington to Your Plate – Serving Award-Winning Hot Dogs and BBQ with Care
The Story of Sam's
Frank Lucente grew up in a small town in West Virginia. As a young boy, Frank often enjoyed spicy chili dogs at the town hot dog stand. Even as he grew older and moved away, Frank would always stop in for a hot dog on his visits home. Years later, the town stand closed and Frank was forced to look elsewhere to satisfy his craving. He went to see the owner of the old stand to convince him to pass on the recipe. But the owner refused saying he would "take it to the grave".
Denied, Frank soon discovered that the original recipe for the chili sauce belonged to an elderly woman still living in his hometown. For years she had been cooking up the sauce and selling it at her church bazaar. According to her, the stand owner had changed the recipe over the years but the woman gladly provided the original recipe.
Frank recruited his business partner and good friend Rocco Muriale to help invent an even better chili sauce recipe. The chef at the popular Rocco's Ristorante, Rocco spent several months cooking up batches of chili sauce. After six months, he had the perfect recipe! In 1983 wanting to share the delicious invention with the public, Frank and Rocco opened the first Sam's Hotdog Stand in Huntington, West Virginia....ending the search for the perfect hot dog.
Fresh Food Made Daily
Every item at Sam’s is made with care. Hot dogs, pulled pork BBQ, and toppings are prepared fresh daily. Coleslaw, onions, and buns are handled with attention to quality so each meal is consistent and ready to enjoy. This approach helped earn recognition as the best hot dogs in the Bluegrass three years in a row. Guests can trust every order to be fresh, flavorful, and satisfying for lunch or a casual bite.
Serving Lexington with Convenience
Sam’s Hot Dog Stand makes lunch easy for downtown Lexington guests. Meals are available for dine-in, takeout, or delivery, offering flexibility for every schedule. The menu includes all beef hot dogs, chili dogs, Polish sausage, turkey dogs, veggie dogs, and pulled pork BBQ, giving everyone something to enjoy. With a casual space and dependable service, the stand provides a simple, convenient spot for classic American favorites.
