Claw's Hot Dogs has been doing business and feeding the hungry masses in Lake Geneva, WI for over 16 years. Since 'Claw's' is not a common name for an eatery, the most common question patrons ask is, "How did Claw's get its name?"
Well, owner Jim Clausen has lived in Lake Geneva his entire life. Through the years, he's been in business in one form or another in LakeGeneva and his nick-name, 'the Claw' has been with him as far back as he can remember.
Just out of Badger High School, Jim started out cutting hair in Lake Geneva. He owned and operated Male and Gal Hairstyling for 15 years in the 70s & 80s.
In the early 80's, Jim bought old 'Dirty Georges Tavern' on South Shore Drive and turned it into 'Fisherman's Inn', a tavern and restaurant which he operated for ten years.
Always wanting a Chicago style hot dog joint, in 2002 he bought Market Street Italian Sandwiches - a hot dog & Italian beef joint in Delavan. BUT - Delavan wasn't Lake Geneva, so in 2004, wanting to be back in his home town, Claw's Hot Dogs Lake Geneva was born and making history each day.