![[UNVERIFIED CONTENT] For the first time in nearly a century, Nathan's, the birthplace of the hot dog, in Coney Island has had to shut down for months due to damages after Hurricane Sandy.](https://metrous.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/getty-160022742-614x409.jpg)
For six months, there were no hot dogs to be had on Coney Island.
When Hurricane Sandy forced the original Nathan’s Famous to shut down for repairs, it was the first time in nearly a century that the birthplace of the frankfurter-in-a-bun had closed. But it may have been just the push theSurf Avenue mainstay needed to re-imagine itself and gear up for another hundred years of business.
When Nathan’s opened its doors quietly on Tuesday ahead of a bigger grand re-opening on Thursday, hot dogs were still the staple of the menu. But the establishment has added a raw bar and expanded its beverage options to include wine and a bigger beer selection.
Customers who want more than the usual hot dog and crinkle-cut fries can get a dozen oysters for $17.50, according to the Daily News.
NY1 reports that the restaurant’s management also took the opportunity to build in precautions against future storms, moving all the utilities from down in the basement to above the flood line.
