Type Private Number of locations 6 stores (2010) | Industry Restaurant Founder Theodore Iacocca | |
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Founded Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States (1922 (1922)) Headquarters Emmaus, Pennsylvania, United States Area served Allentown, Pennsylvania | ||
Yocco s hot dogs of the lehigh valley
Yocco's Hot Dogs is a regionally famous hot dog and cheesesteak establishment with five restaurants, each located in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, in the United States. Yocco's was founded in 1922 by Theodore Iacocca, uncle of Lee Iacocca. Its corporate headquarters is located in Emmaus, Pennsylvania.
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History and locations
Yocco's was originally established in 1922 at its former center city Allentown location at 625 Liberty Street. Its original name was the Liberty Grill. Beginning in the 1970s, the five current Yocco's restaurants were opened. The first was opened at 2128 Hamilton Street. Yocco's serves hot dogs, cheesesteaks, French fries and pierogies.
Yocco's is currently run by Gary Iacocca, the third generation owner. The company's corporate headquarters is located in Emmaus.
The name Yocco's was derived from the name "Iacocca," after the family who owns the establishment. However, because the Pennsylvania Dutch could not pronounce Iacocca (an Italian name) and said Yocco instead, the name was changed to reflect their pronunciation.
Zippy the Pinhead
Yocco's has made several appearances in Zippy, a nationally syndicated comic strip featuring the character Zippy the Pinhead.
The Solid Verbal
Beginning during the 2015 NCAA football season, Yocco's gained exposure on the popular college football podcast The Solid Verbal. Allentown resident Ty Hildenbrandt, one of the show's hosts, pays homage to Yocco's during weekly preview shows by selecting (at least) one team each week as the "Yocco's Home Dog of the Week". To be selected as a Home Dog, a team must be an underdog playing at their home stadium, where Hildenbrandt thinks that they can win despite the odds being in favor of their opponents. This designation does not indicate any sponsorship of The Solid Verbal by Yocco's. Rather, it is a humorous tribute based on Hildenbrandt's affinity for the restaurant and the linguistic connection between "underdog" and "hot dog".