CULLMAN, Ala. – The Wacked Out Weiner opened its doors Thursday morning and customers were eager to get a taste. Cullman’s is the 11th store for this popular hot dog franchise. It is located at 1930 Market Platz Ctr. SW, in the same strip as Rock N Roll Sushi.
A large line had formed just before noon, with people curious about the new restaurant with the crazy name. Several came in just to buy T-shirts and other merchandise. In addition to hot dogs, The Wacked Out Weiner sells T-shirts, drink koozies, stickers, aprons and its unique blend of spices called “Weiner Dust.”
The Cullman location is owned by Lori Gortemoller and Bo and Jennifer Winfrey. Gortemoller and Jennifer Winfrey spoke to The Tribune Thursday morning.
Gortemoller said, “They started in Foley, Alabama in 2016. We are the 11th store and the 12th is opening in Daphne, Alabama.”
With most Wacked Out Weiners found near the Gulf Coast, Cullman might seem like an odd location, but, as Gortemoller explained, “We started talking about it and it was the perfect place. There’s industry and we have a food truck also so we can go to the events and lunches at the factories. We are going to try to do all the festivals and music things. There is so much up here to do and it’s so saturated down there.”
The Wacked Out Weiner food truck will be at the popular 2nd Friday events in downtown Cullman throughout the summer.
The Wacked Out Weiner serves Nathan’s 100% beef hot dogs. They are kosher, gluten-free, nitrate-free and keto-friendly (without the bun). The restaurant also has high-quality pork sausage blend, jalapeno and Cajun weiners, as well as nachos. There are more than 30 toppings available.
Gortemoller said, “The name definitely makes people curious. It’s a fun environment. We want to do kids’ birthday parties. We want to get involved with the community, and the veterans are especially important to us. Jen’s husband Bo is a veteran.”
Seniors, all first responders, veterans and city workers get a 10% discount at The Wacked Out Weiner.
For the first four days, the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., but the owners are still undecided on hours moving forward.
“We think Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday we may try to stay open as late as midnight for the movie crowd,” Gortemoller said.
The Wacked Out Weiner is open seven days a week.
The selfie station was a popular spot Thursday morning as people put on hotdog suits and posed for pictures beneath the popular logo. The store has hotdog suit sizes for kids to adults with several hashtag signs for customers to hold.
One customer said after lunch Thursday, “Better than good. It was way above average and we’ll be back.”
A grand opening celebration is planned for July 13.
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