Open the door to Jack’s Hot Dog Stand on Eagle Street and a few things hit at once: the sizzle of the grill, the crowd packed at the counter, and the organized chaos guided by cook and owner Jeff Levanos.
First opened in 1917 by Jeff’s grandfather, Jaffros Levanos, the small but wildly popular stand has stood through the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, and every boom and bust since. The story of the Levanos family is deeply entwined with the story of Jack’s — and with North Adams, the city known as the “Western Gateway.”
“I joined the Army in ’92 and haven’t been back for a bit. I still remember the awesome food and the line to get lunch. I’m currently deployed to Afghanistan and will be visiting next August when I return. I have to introduce my wife and little girl to the flavors of the Berkshires. I have some of the fondest memories of eating there, as do two other generations of Diggens. I look forward to sharing it with number four. Thanks!”
