Pronto Pups are long. The story of how they started here is even longer.
Pronto Pup owner Sharon Andreini (middle) runs the family-owned business with her children Danny Andreini Jr. (left) and Lisa Warren (right) pictured at the Delta Fair on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Most Memphians have eaten a Pronto Pup before, but what some Memphians might not know is that the festival food has been a Bluff City favorite for 77 years.
The tale of the local Pronto Pup begins in 1947 at the Mid-South Fair.
A barber and beauty shop owner named Bemis Atkins had heard of a hot dog treat he thought would be a hit in the South.
The hot-dog-on-a-stick was dipped in a batter and fried until golden brown. Bemis called his version a “Pronto Pup,” and the rest is history.
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Pronto Pups Danny Andreini Delta Fair and Music Festival Cooper-Young Festival Mid-South Fair Subscriber OnlyAre you enjoying your subscription?
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Jennifer Chandler
A cookbook author and former restaurateur, Jennifer Chandler has been writing about food and dining for more than 25 years.
She is the author of four cookbooks: “The Southern Pantry Cookbook,” “Simply Salads,” “Simply Suppers,” and “Simply Grilling.” While she boasts a degree from Le Cordon Bleu, this Memphis native is about making real food accessible for real families.
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