It was at 12:48am in the morning that gallery owner Marcus Wise called me to say that Louie’s Hot Dogs was ablaze on Elmwood and that firefighters were attempting to put out the flames. Since we were on our way home, and the eatery happens to be a couple of blocks from my house, I swung by to try to see how bad the damage was. As I approached, the street was completely blocked off as far as Utica, and the lights from the firetrucks and other emergency response vehicles stretched down the entire block.
Ultimately, fire crews were able to put out the fire and damage estimates totaled approximately $200,000. Fortunately the building was saved thanks to the efficient fire crews and the close proximity to the stations, despite the poor weather conditions. Louie’s Hot Dogs first opened in Buffalo in 1951, and has been a staple on Elmwood Avenue for years. According to Louie’s owner, Angelo Turco, the mainstay restaurant will be rebuilt.
Photo: Marcus Wise