After quietly opening its doors in January, Nathan’s Famous is preparing to celebrate its official grand opening next month, bringing its New York-style hot dogs to Tucson’s Historic Fourth Avenue.

The restaurant is the first Nathan’s location in Arizona and features items including hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, Angus burgers, hand-breaded chicken sandwiches, New York cheesesteaks and hand-spun shakes.

“Tucson is a vibrant, energetic community and we are excited to partner with a passionate local franchisee to bring our iconic menu and the Flavor of New York to Arizona,” Vice President of Marketing Phil McCann said in a news release.

Owner Michael Kramkowski, who also owns IBT’s Bar + Food next door to Nathan’s, has spent more than two decades working to preserve the neighborhood’s independent spirit. With Nathan’s, he said he wanted to bring a brand to Tucson with a strong, authentic heritage.

"Nathan's became a vision of ours probably about three years ago when we were looking to transform this property and upgrade it," Nathan's manager Alvaro Kramkowski told Tucson Spotlight. "We wanted something for the front of this building that would be a great addition to Tucson, but also would be literally the front of our hidden speakeasy that we'll be opening up in the near future, called The Blind Tiger."

The restaurant has been busy in its first few months, with high-demand menu items including the Bacon Cheddar Cheesy Burger, the spicy Hell’s Kitchen Burger, hot dogs and New York cheesesteaks, which differ from Philly-style cheesesteaks.

“I wasn’t aware of the difference until working here. I didn’t even know there was such a thing,” said Alvaro Kramkowski.

A traditional Philly cheesesteak includes thinly sliced ribeye, melted Cheez Whiz or provolone, grilled onions and sometimes peppers.

Nathan’s New York-style cheesesteak features thinly sliced Pat LaFrieda Black Angus ribeye, caramelized onions, melted American cheese and LaFrieda’s Butcher Reserve Steak Sauce.

And while the Tucson location has been open only a few months, it's already welcomed a celebrity guest. In February, competitive eater and Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion Michelle Lesco stopped in for a visit.

Lesco, who lives in Tucson, won the 2021 Women’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest by eating nearly 31 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. In the years since, she has placed either second or third and has also competed in contests featuring boysenberry pie, chicken wings, oysters and chocolate fudge.

Lesco chatted with staff, expressing excitement about Nathan's arrival in Tucson and saying she’d return with her trophies for the April 10 grand opening.

That early enthusiasm comes as the team prepares for a busy Fourth Avenue Street Fair weekend, with Alvaro Kramkowski saying they can’t wait to introduce Nathan’s to so many people.

Looking beyond the street fair, Michael and Alvaro Kramkowski are preparing The Blind Tiger for its debut. Tucked down a hallway lined with intricate wooden trim and exposed brick, the speakeasy will sit in the back of the building, where low-hanging lights and vintage-inspired decor create an intimate atmosphere that spills onto an open patio connecting to IBT’s.

Once completed, the back patio will feature greenery and a gate.

“It’s in a historic district, so that makes for a little bit more red tape,” said Alvaro Kramkowski. "Once we get the back open and we have our patio open, it'll be a great place for families to come enjoy a hot dog, hang out on the patio, and enjoy a little bit of East Coast cuisine."

There are also plans to eventually double the size of IBT’s and add expanded seating and a kitchen. For now, food served at IBT's is prepared in Nathan’s kitchen.

“Nathan’s Famous is an American icon, and this location is the perfect fit. We are excited to welcome the community in," Michael Kramkowski said in a news release.

Caitlin Schmidt is Editor and Publisher of Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at caitlin@tucsonspotlight.org.

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