Like many similar decades (or in this case century) old hot dog joints, the walls are covered in nostalgia. Up front is an old school diner feel with booths and a counter with screw top stools.
Originally a movie theatre, Shorty’s converted to a pool hall when another theatre opened in town and still has a back room with pool tables. He even had his 80th Birthday party there. Rumor is that Shorty’s was one of Arnold Palmer’s favorite restaurants, which he frequented while attending school at Wake Forest (this was before Wake moved to Winston-Salem, NC). Joyner, the business has stayed in the family and now, third- and fourth-generation Joyners, Bill and Chris are serving up hot dogs to the hungry masses. Opened in 1916, it’s no shock that Shorty’s is the oldest business in Wake Forest. It’s rare to find a 100-year-old restaurant, but Shorty’s is one of them. Make sure to speak to Lee when visiting - he’s as much an institution as the restaurant. The hot dogs are fatter and shorter than typical bun length and are grilled and served in soft bun. The housemade chili is dry and mild and pairs well with the vinegar tang of yellow mustard. The Dick’s famous hot dog is topped with chili, mustard, and onions. Hotdogs, burgers, some Greek-inspired offerings like gyros, a few sandwiches, and some sides fill out the menu. Spend a lunch at Dick’s and you’ll quickly recognize it is the local’s place for business lunches, family gatherings, and post-sports re-fuels. Frank,” an anthropomorphized plywood hot dog with white hat and gloves, greets customers as they walk in. The walls are covered with faded photos of athletes, actors, and musicians who have eaten there, and “Mr. If you’re flying solo, you can grab a seat at the counter on one of a few screw top stools. There are five or six mustard yellow and lime green booths and a similar number of tables. Started by Greek immigrant Socrates Dick Giliarmis, it is now run by his son Lee and grandson “Soc” Socrates.ĭick’s isn’t big. Dick’s stands out amongst the brick ranchers, wrap-around porches, and tree-lined streets with signs proclaiming “Wilson’s Famous Landmark”, “Since 1921” and “Enjoyed by Millions”. Dick’s Hot Dog Stand has slung wieners for 96 years. Sitting on the corner of Nash and Pearson streets is a Wilson, NC, institution. If you’re not in the mood for hot dogs (then why are you reading this) - Capt’n Franks serves some of the best steamed or fried shrimp on the OBX.
You’re on vacation so live a little, and get the Junkyard, loaded with “the works” or the spicy Mad Dog with chili, hot pepper relish and more peppers. You can get a classic Carolina dog here, but they call it a Chicago. It serves Oscar Mayer wieners and a signature recipe natural casing “snap dog” for those that like a little bite to their dog. Originally built in a somewhat remote part of the island surrounded by sand dunes, “progress” now sits it in the middle of condos, a shopping center, and beach houses. Constantly packed with sandy, salt-crusted beach goers and tourists fresh off the Wright brother’s monument tour, Capt’n Franks is the classic hot dog stand. and the third, Capt’n Franks is an Outer Banks landmark of casual food to match the summer carefree beach mentality. Opened by Harvey Hess in 1975, and still run by Harvey Jr. On Saturdays, Paul’s hosts a giant “lawn sale,” and Sundays are “hot dog hoedowns” with live music and rotating guest musicians.Ĭapt’n Franks is a Kitty Hawk favorite of beach locals and weary tourist parents looking to feed their sandy kids. According to a recent short film on Paul’s, “Relish our Dogs”, they serve 8,000 hot dogs a week in the busy summer months. The gas pumps are long gone and hot dogs are the business now. The restaurant bucks the regional trend and doesn’t serve the dyed-red hot dogs typical to Eastern NC. Instead of a typical Carolina dog with chili, mustard and onions, Paul’s swaps out the chili for their famous relish on the “all the way” dog. It’s what they’re famous for and it is bottled and sold in grocery stores across the South. Described by Beverly's son David, who now runs the place, as a mix between rich barbecue sauce and sweet relish. During World War II, when meat was rationed, Beverly Paul came up with a sweet relish to substitute for chili. Founded in 1928 by the Paul family as an Esso station that also sold barbecue and fried chicken, eventually hot dogs made it to the menu. Just north of Wilmington, at the intersection of Highway 117 and Old Blossom Ferry Road in Rocky Point sits a freestanding, stark white building with bold red lettering announcing Paul’s Place Famous Hot Dogs.