Claw's History

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, founder Jim Clausen had lived in Lake Geneva his entire life. Through the years, he'd been in business in one form or another in Lake Geneva and his nick-name, “the Claw” had been with him as far back as he could 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 70’s & 80’s.

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.

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 continues making history each day.