Weenie Beenie: A Filet in a Hot Dog World

Last Stand: The lone survivor of the Weenie Beenie chain. (Photo by William McVeigh)

Weenie Beenie lost his lease on the poolroom in 1981, and then the room eventually was torn down along with the building it was in. And that's when Weenie Beenie retired to Myrtle Beach, where, during the twilight of his life, he played golf. I've never had a Weenie Beenie hot-dog, but next time I'm in Arlington, I'll be sure to get one. There, over at 2680 S. Shirlington Road, you can find perhaps the last of the businesses. It's about 100 yards from the best poolroom in the area, Champion Billiards.

During 77 years on earth, Staton fathered three children, became a grandfather to four, helped run six hot-dog stands, won a national championship, traded jokes with Johnny Carson, won and lost tens of thousands of dollars, challenged the likes of Ronnie Allen and Jersey Red, stayed married to his beautiful wife, Norma Jean, for 52 years, and earned the respect of friends and strangers alike.

Even if you take pool out of the equation, he lived an enviable, wildly successful life. He may have started out as a sucker, but he left us as a lion.

Rest in peace, Weenie Beenie.

R.A. Dyer, an Austin, Tex.-based writer, is the author of "Hustler Days - Minnesota Fats, Wimpy Lassiter, Jersey Red and America's Great Age of Pool."

For supporting materials, archival photos and more, visit: www.hustlerdays.com

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