Everyday people walk past it. Some step over it without realizing it’s there, while others notice it and wonder who she is.
Placed in the pavement at the corner of East 13th Avenue and Kincaid Street, a gold-rimmed plaque sits quietly near the newsstands in memory of Cookie Szakacs, the hot dog lady.
The plaque lists the date of her death — May 28, 1994 — and the words “She cared.”
Eight years ago, Szakacs was the hot dog vendor on campus. She was a well-known personality who was both a merchant and a friend. After she passed away, Tim Nally took on her role and carried on her tradition.
“I wanted to fill the void that Cookie left — and keep the students fed,” Nally said.
Szakacs had been selling hot dogs for about 15 years when she suffered from an aneurysm at her home at the age of 52. She died instantly.
Still, her legacy continued.
After her death, Cookie’s husband, Robert Szakacs, 64, tried to carry on her business. He gave it a try, but things didn’t work out because he was also working at the physical plant at the University.
Nally had restaurant experience and knew the couple. He understood what Robert was going through and took over the hot dog business five years ago.

Getting a taste for it
Cookie, who was from Hammond, Ind., first came to Oregon with Robert in 1973. During the first few years, Cookie spent most of her time taking care of their three children. As her children grew older, Cookie decided to work and found a job at Roadway Inn as a waitress.
When Cookie was later laid off by Roadway Inn, she went out looking for a job again. Then, while she and her husband were patronizing a hot dog stall in Salem, Cookie decided to sell hot dogs, and Robert made a cart for his wife.
Cookie chose the campus location because the street was always crowded with people walking by, Robert said. In addition, the University of Oregon Bookstore was just opposite her stall, which helped bring in more customers.
“It was an ideal location, where business should be good,” he said.
At first, Cookie didn’t have a taste for selling hot dogs, but once she got connected with the students, she really liked it, Robert said.

Maintaining the connection
Nally, too, said it’s easy to get tired of selling hot dogs, but if there is a connection between the customers and the vendor, it can be a lot of fun.
“It’s more than selling hot dogs,” Nally said. “It’s more like a public relations thing.
“If you didn’t like people, you wouldn’t like the job. People also won’t like coming to an unfriendly place to buy food.”
Cookie was very connected to her customers, especially the students, Robert said.
“She sold hot dogs, pop and advice,” Robert said. “But that was free, of course.
“The kids would come to her when they had problems and needed a listening ear.”
Like Cookie, Nally has a good rapport with his customers. Standing under the shade of the umbrella attached to his cart, there is never really a dull moment, as friends and customers stop by to talk.
People of all ages, nationalities, professions, genders and races come to talk to Nally. Some buy hot dogs, while others are simply passing by or basking in the sun. Like Cookie, Nally has become a familiar face as well as a friend.
Regular customer Matthew Yeow said Nally has that personal touch.
“He doesn’t just sell hot dogs,” Yeow said. “He takes the time to get to know you, too.”
At the age of 62, Nally is lively and young at heart.
“I’m like a full-time student,” he said. “I never get out of here. I’ll probably still be here 10 years from now and become an old hot dog man.”