Chris’ Hot Dogs

For more than a century, Chris’ Hot Dogs has been an oasis in the heart of Montgomery, Alabama, serving everyone who walks through its doors. Founded in 1917 by Greek immigrant Chris Katechis, the family-run diner defied the rigid segregation of the American South by hiring and serving Black customers at a time when doing so could be dangerous. Located just one block from Martin Luther King Jr.’s church, the diner became an unlikely meeting place during one of the most turbulent periods of the Civil Rights era. Dr. King was a regular customer and friend of Chris, and the two shared their experiences of the threats they faced from the Ku Klux Klan. Through the stories of the Katechis family, longtime staff and loyal customers, Chris’ Hot Dogs explores the remarkable history of a small diner that has welcomed presidents, celebrities, athletes, musicians and generations of local residents. At its heart is a story of courage, community and doing the right thing when it matters most.