Vendredi

by Mary Kilpatrick

The Frenchmen Street lot formerly known as “that place where the fire-twirlers hang out,” will soon serve up more than balloons. City Board of Zoning Adjustments members gave initial approval Monday in favor of allowing a third Dat Dog location to be built on the site, located at 601 Frenchmen St. in the Marigny. The measure passed unanimously.

The eatery will be an expansive two-story establishment, cooking up the same gourmet hot dogs that skyrocketed the original Freret Street location to notoriety, said owner Constantine Georges. The lot is currently vacant, requiring new construction on the bustling music and nightlife strip. Georges said he hopes to begin construction on the new Dat Dog within the next year.

Earlier this year, the Faubourg Marigny Business Association raised concerns claiming Dat Dog was subleasing the lot to mobile food vendors.

“We’re looking to open up a big, beautiful new restaurant on Frenchmen Street,” Georges said. 

Officially, the BZA signed off on allowing Dat Dog to build a restaurant with floor area and open space that exceeds what is currently allowed by city code.

Arnaldo Zelaya, who owns property at 2105 Chartres St., raised a separate potential setback during the hearing. He said he felt it would be too close to his property line.

“I’m concerned about the[lack of] a setback [restriction],” Zelaya said. “There was a fire at the property before, and my property got damaged. I don’t want him to build to the property line.”

The planning commission found Zelaya’s concerns invalid, however, because legally, there are no setback restrictions in the Marigny. 

Dat Dog is also expanding to a location near the corner of Louisiana Ave. and Magazine Street.