AMHERST, Ohio —  A kitchen grease fire spread through Hot Dog Heaven in Amherst on August 31, nearly destroying the 44-year-old restaurant.

What You Need To Know

  • A fire that started in the kitchen damaged the restaruant last month 

  • While it's being repaired, the restaurant is relying on its food truck to serve customers

  • The food truck is located right across the street from the original location

  • The restaurant will eventually reopen

“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. I was in the marching band down the street. I come here all the time," said Jordan Hall, of Amherst.

While Hot Dog Heaven is being repaired, their food truck is now parked right across the street — grilling dogs for their customers.

“I’m sorry to hear about the fire. I like the place and I hope this gets it back again,” said Denny Harrell, of Amherst.  

“I really like the food and I come here after school, so I was upset when I saw it got burned down, but now I can get it here,” said Julia Zack, of Amherst.

Employees at Hot Dog Heaven say the community has been great in helping them get back in business.

Besides people lining up for dogs, the tip jar has been getting a lot of attention.

“Some lady just gave us seventeen dollars when I first got her today,” said Tom Hage, a Hot Dog Heaven employee.

Tom Hage has been working at Hot Dog Heaven for more than 33 years. He says the restaurant will be back. 

“The owner says they are trying to keep the homey house feel to it and stuff, and get reopened eventually,” he said.

There’s no timetable on when the original Hot Dog Heaven will reopen, but until then, they’ve got the tasty food truck filling in.