MACUNGIE, Pa. — Mad Dogs Hot Dogs and Sugar Shack is back and open, keeping the unique-themed topping combinations to its centrally located spot adjacent to Macungie Memorial Park.
And it can be credited to new owners taking a leap of faith to keep the unique location open.
- New restaurant owners Megan and Robert Sell, alongside teenage sons Lucas and Axle, recently reopened Mad Dogs Hot Dogs to ensure the popular community stop was not lost after closure
- Mad Dogs Hot Dogs and Sugar Shack closed in April after the previous owners announced their retirement
- The hot dog shop is a popular stop in Macungie, and gets heavy foot traffic during nearby Macungie Memorial Park's various summer festivals
After owners Melissa and Chris Moyer announced the closure of the popular lunchtime stop in April because of their retirement, new co-owner Megan Sell said she and her family took action, concerned it would shutter and have nothing fill its place.
The restaurant now is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday .
It's owned and operated by Sell, her husband, Robert, and teenage sons Lucas and Axle.
'Continue offering something to the community'
Sell said her son Lucas was at the restaurant "super frequently."
"He actually he worked at Mad Dogs prior to them closing," she said. "So we had a little bit of an inside scoop that they were going to be closing — and he was kind of crushed.
"This is like the funnest place in Macungie. On top of working there, I don't want to lose it."Lucas Sell, as quoted by his mother, Mad Dogs Hot Dogs co-owner Megan
"He's like, 'This is like the funnest place in Macungie. On top of working there, I don't want to lose it.'"
Given some family interest in pursuing the restaurant business, involvement in the location, and Robert's business-owning experience as an industrial mechanic, the family took the leap.
"It was like, 'What in the world is going to happen with it? Is it just going to go away? Is it going to die? What will it become?'" Sell said. "You watch all these restaurants close amongst the valley and then nothing else pops up.
"We just wanted to be able to continue offering something to the community and have fun ourselves with it."
Mad Dogs is known in the area for its experimental hot dog toppings in specialized combinations, including its "The Nutty Professor" dog with bacon, mayo, peanut butter and caramelized onion.
It also boasts more "normal" dogs. Many of the hot dogs and burgers offered are named after popular films.
Taking it one step at a time
Sell said the reopening was very spontaneous, with a lot of emotions surrounding it.
"It's definitely all-consuming, but I think we all consider it a privilege," Sell said. "We're all really feeling lucky that we can do it."
The restaurant first reopened in May to coincide with events at the park such as its flea market and the Antique Truck Club of America meet earlier in June.
Events such as those and the upcoming Wheels of Time, Das Awkscht Fescht and other festivals bring thousands to Macungie Memorial Park annually, raising funds for the nonprofit-run park.
Mad Dogs may have some menu modification during those large events to reduce wait times, Sell said.
Sell said they are taking it one step at a time and figuring out the rhythm of prepping, managing inventory and serving customers.
There have been some considerations to offer a Chicago-style dog, introduce gluten-free options and introduce breakfast offerings. But nothing is yet set.Mad Dogs Hot Dogs Co-owner Megan Sell
No significant menu changes have taken place, but Sell said there have been some considerations to offer a Chicago-style dog, introduce gluten-free options and introduce breakfast offerings. But nothing is yet set.
As for the restaurant's interior, Sell said there hasn't been too much opportunity yet to change a lot, but they've changed up its chalk board to make the food menu more clear to find, and added a game shelf.
The location also is starting to experiment with live music, with musician Brian Kidd recently playing at the restaurant.
The reopening of Mad Dogs closely coincides with the opening of the Macungie Diner this month at the former Bear Swamp Diner location.
