by Dorothy Markulis
Reporter
Hudson -- "Family friendly and affordable," is how Maria Lococo describes her family's new business, "Step Right Up Hot Dogs and Donuts."
Located at 5929 Darrow Road, the city's newest restaurant serves up fresh doughnuts, made right on the spot, and Sahlen's Hot Dogs, grilled over charcoal.
"We wanted a place where families could go and not spend a ton of money. We're very kid friendly," Maria said. "We wanted to have a place where people would feel at home, a place where we get to know our customers by name and they get to know us."
Maria, originally from Buffalo, N.Y., recommends their signature hot dog, Sahlen's.
"If you're from Buffalo, you know Sahlen's," Maria said. "People who visit there buy 5 pounds of them to take them home and put them in their freezers."
She said many Hudson residents, who have been to Buffalo, are ecstatic about having the hot dog in town.
"They can't believe we have them," Maria said.
The hot dogs come with a full line of condiments including cheese, chili and sauerkraut.
Her husband, August, said he's amazed how many Hudson people know about Sahlen's hot dogs.
"Many people don't realize what brand of hot dog they're eating, until they taste Sahlen's. Then they never forget it," August said.
August, a 1975 graduate of Hudson High School who recently returned to the community, said he was overwhelmed by the support of the residents.
Even getting up at 4 a.m. every day to make the secret recipe donuts has not dampened his enthusiasm for his new enterprise.
"We believe in hot, fresh doughnuts," he said.
August said people ask him why their business combined doughnuts and hot dogs.
"You can't survive on doughnuts alone," he said. "We decided to have two businesses under one roof. Our theory is, as long as we're paying rent, we might as well have two businesses. One's a morning thing, the other is an afternoon thing."
In addition to hot dogs and doughnuts, the restaurant serves chicken, sandwiches, hamburgers, fries and soup.
For dessert, fresh apple fritters and cinnamon buns are served.
Maria, August, their son, August Jr., and daughter, Jaclyn, all work together at their new business, which employ 10 full- and part-time employees.
Hudson resident John Tomasulo is the manager.
The Lococos come from a long line of restaurant and business operators.
"My father, Gasper Lococo, was one of the owners of Geauga Lake Amusement Park, before they sold it to Six Flags in 1995," August said.
In tribute to the park, the walls are decorated with amusement park themed murals. Signs and banners from the old park also decorate the walls.
The restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
For more information, call 330-650-0250.
E-mail: dmarkulis@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3143