Augusta, New Jersey - Hot Dog Man

A life sized Hot Dog Man resides at Chatterbox Drive In Restaurant, a retro eatery done up '50s decor. It's decorated throughout with nostalgic memorabilia and movie posters of times gone by. It leans heavily toward a classic auto and motorcycle theme, holding many events throughout the year for motor enthusiasts. An actual racing car balances across the top of one of their dining booths, and they display different vintage cars on a center stage in the middle of a completely round dining room.

The last time I was there I sat in the booth next to the Hot Dog Man (waitress said he didn't have a name). It was amazing how many little children are drawn almost hypnotically to him. It was really cute watching some of the younger ones try to strike up a conversation with the Hot Dog Man. I've been there several times and it's a very popular place. Food fare was pretty good, and reasonably priced. But my favorite is the Hot Dog Man squirting ketchup on his head. [Roger R. Lindquist, 10/01/2007]

[RA: Another mass-produced, not-so-big statue, though we find ourselves smiling whenever we spot a Hot Dog Man propped outside a roadside shack. The head wound ketchup squirt and look of determination set this wiener apart. If only someone would make a version about 20-feet tall -- those hypnotized tykes would be screaming.]