In the Know: Schnapper's Hots opens at old DQ in Naples

There’s a new hot dog in town.

Schnapper’s Hots launched last week in the tiny red A-frame in downtown Naples that hosted Dairy Queen for decades. It’s the second location for a throwback eatery that has been a Sanibel Island institution for 20 years.

“It’s not a duplicate setup but it’s so close,” said Dave Acheson, who has owned Schnapper’s Hots for seven years. “We’re excited to be in your city. We know there’s a lot of good food in the city. We love the competition. That is the truth. We look forward to seeing what type of following we are going to have.”

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So far, so good. Since opening last Wednesday afternoon on the northeast corner of U.S. 41 and Fourth Avenue North, the new Schnapper’s already has regulars coming back and bringing more people with them, Acheson said.

“Any customers who eats with us is going to send us our next customer,” he said. “We believe we are in a premier location and we think it’s going to be a great lunch business. Just let everyone know to renew their gym membership because Schnapper’s is in town.”

Obviously, Acheson doesn’t pretend to sell health food. Classic comfort food such as chili dogs, cheeseburgers, onion rings and french fries dominate the grab-and-go menu. Dozens of flavors of Sarasota-based Big Olaf ice cream also are available for cones and dishes as well as hand-dipped milkshakes, malts, root beer floats, hot fudge sundaes and other cool treats.

“We only have 20 flavors right now but we are supposed to carry 28,” Acheson said.

The Sanibel location carries 48 flavors, so that’s one of the few differences between the locations. The old DQ in Naples, which most recently was All American Shake Shop until it closed last summer, was slightly altered to provide a similar experience as the original Schnapper’s.

Instead of standing in line to order from outside windows as has been the procedure for about a half-century at the red-roofed landmark, customers now come inside to order at a counter that was enclosed on the southwest corner of the business.

“There are double doors that face Dunkin’ Donuts. That’s the way they come in,” Acheson said. “There’s a small area to order.”

Seating remains only outdoors in the space along the front windows and in the area near the new entrance. The eatery has about 40 seats under the covered porch. Orders are available to go, of course.

“Naples is a very fast-paced city on the go,” Acheson said. “We provide a quick, easy hot meal.”

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In addition to ice cream and char-grilled hot dogs, Schnapper’s features an extensive menu of comfort food such as fresh-cut fries, hand-battered fresh Vidalia onion rings, freshly ground and hand-pattied burgers and cheeseburgers, Buffalo wings and fish and chips. The menu also has sandwiches such as grilled ham and cheese on rye, grilled cheese, a BLT, Polish kielbasa, bratwurst, Italian sausage, footlongs, and grouper and chicken sandwiches and baskets.

Prices for hot dogs in natural casings prices range from $3.95 for the Char-man of the Board plain dog to $4.95 for a chili dog or “The Capone” Chicago dog with mustard, sweet relish, chopped sweet onions, cucumber slices, tomato slices, sport peppers and celery salt. The Original Schnapper ($4.95) has mustard, dill relish, Piccalilli relish, chopped sweet onions and pickle spears.

Other dogs for $4.50 include a slaw dog and “Grandma Kramer,” which features mustard, sauerkraut and chopped sweet onions. Add $2 to the above prices for a foot-long creation of any dog.

Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and sausage sandwiches are $6.95 each. Sausage creations include “The Lewinski” polish kielbasa, “The Max” bratwurst and the “Forgetaboutit” Italian. Schnapper's sandwich selection also includes grilled ham and cheese on rye ($6.95), grilled cheese ($4.95) and a BLT ($5.95).

Authentic Buffalo wings come naked, mild, medium, hot or fire in the hole with bleu cheese and celery. Prices range from 10 wings for $8.95 to 50 wings for $34.95. Haddock sandwiches, grouper sandwiches and baskets, and chicken tender sandwiches and baskets also are available.

“People say we have the best grouper on Sanibel,” Acheson said, noting that Schnapper’s does not mix fryers to prepare fish, fries and chicken. “We are very strict at keeping things separate to accentuate the taste.”

Schnapper’s opening hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. six days a week. The business is closed Sundays.

“The hours will change once we find a night crew and people who can run it on Sundays,” Acheson said. “We are looking to hire and train more good people and then we will extend our hours.”

In May, Acheson expects to extend Schnapper’s operating hours until as late as 9 p.m. daily.

For more information about Schnapper’s call 239-228-6838 or go to Schnapper’s Hots Naples on Facebook.

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For the latest in local restaurants coming and going, see Tim Aten’s “In the Know” columns archived at naplesnews.com/intheknow, and on Facebook at facebook.com/timaten.intheknow.