By Dathan Kazsuk
Let’s get one thing straight: There’s no shame in loving a good hot dog. Sure, it’s not caviar and an expensive bottle of French Champagne. It’s not a handcrafted sushi roll placed delicately on artisan rice. But when that frankfurter hits the grill, when the snap of that casing gives way to juicy, smoky perfection—suddenly, you remember why hot dogs have been America’s guilty pleasure for as long as I’ve been on this Earth.
And here we are again. The dog days of summer. It’s hot. It’s humid. You could steam a bun on your forehead. What better way to embrace this than going on a hot dog pilgrimage through the Triangle?
Now, before I dive into the “where,” let’s talk about the “why.” Why are hot dogs so beloved? The story, as with many American food legends, starts with immigration. German immigrants introduced their beloved frankfurters and hot dogs, also known as wieners, to the United States in the late 1800s. (And yes, there’s still a feud over whether Frankfurt or Vienna—Wien—gets the naming rights.) By the early 20th century, these sausage sandwiches were popping up on street carts across New York City.
Legend has it that a vendor named Charles Feltman opened the first hot dog stand on Coney Island in the 1870s. His former employee, Nathan Handwerker, later opened Nathan’s Famous. You know, the one with Joey Chestnut smashing wieners in his mouth during that hot dog–eating contest that makes you queasy just thinking about it. But we’re not here to watch people inhale 60+ hot dogs in 10 minutes. We’re here to savor.
Speaking of savoring, what about this so-called “Carolina-style” hot dog? Chili, mustard, onions. Sometimes slaw if you’re fancy. It’s as much a rite of passage here as sweet tea and pulled pork. But Carolina didn’t invent the idea of topping a dog with chili. Depending on who you ask (and how much you want to start a bar fight), that honor goes to the Coney Islands of New York and Michigan.
In Michigan, a “Coney Dog” means a grilled hot dog topped with a meaty chili sauce (never beans), raw onions and mustard. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s basically what we call Carolina-style. The key difference is the chili itself—Carolina chili tends to be thinner, with more of a vinegar tang to complement the vinegar-based slaw that sometimes joins the party. Up north it’s a thicker, heartier chili, meant to stick to your ribs—and your shirt.
Another fun hot dog fact to impress your friends at the next cookout: During peak grilling season, Americans consume about 7 billion hot dogs. That’s right, billion. Enough to stretch from Raleigh to my home state of California more times than you’d like to think about. And while ketchup is allowed on burgers, in many hot dog circles—especially here in the South—putting ketchup on a hot dog after age 10 is considered a crime against humanity.
But the magic of the hot dog isn’t just in its toppings. It’s in the nostalgia. The simplicity. The pure, unpretentious joy of biting into something that’s been around since Ulysses S. Grant was on the $50 bill—and somehow still hasn’t gone out of style.
So, with that in mind, I wanted to track down some local stops for hot dogs around Wake County. From Cary and Holly Springs to Apex, I’ll be hitting up the local legends one bun at a time. Whether they stick to the Carolina classic or go rogue with wild toppings, I’m ready. And I might miss your favorite, so please don’t hold it against me. Just let me know so I can eventually add it to my list.
But before I do, let’s look into those Raleigh staples that put hot dogs on the map here in Wake County.
LET’S START IN RALEIGH
When it comes to iconic hot dog joints, three names always seem to sizzle to the top—Snoopy’s, Char-Grill and The Roast Grill. Each one holds a piece of the city’s culinary soul, serving nostalgia one chili dog at a time.
Snoopy’s got its start in 1978 when Steve and Sarah Webb turned an old gas station into a roadside haven for steamed bun hot dogs and chili cheeseburgers. With its classic red-and-white awning and no-nonsense eastern North Carolina flair, Snoopy’s built its name on mustard, onions and chili—and being one of the first fast-food spots to stay open after midnight.
Char-Grill has been flame-broiling into hearts and stomachs just a few blocks away since 1959. Founded on Hillsborough Street with a humble cinder block building and a genius idea—write your order on a slip and drop it through a slot—Char-Grill became a fixture for its charred burgers and dogs, cooked over an open flame.
Then there’s The Roast Grill, arguably the purist of the trio. Opened in 1940 and still owned by the same family, this no-ketchup-allowed institution serves dogs burnt to a crisp on purpose and topped with a century-old chili recipe, mustard and onions. The tiny downtown joint hasn’t changed much in decades—and that’s precisely why people love it.
Together, these three spots represent the holy trinity of Raleigh hot dog culture—each with its own style, history and loyal fan base.
WESTERN WAKE HOT SPOTS
Founded in 2013 by Corbett Shope in Cary, Corbett’s Burgers & Soda Bar is a burger and hot dog joint that was born on the idea of the classic soda shop. But what began as a single location has now grown into five locations—including here in Holly Springs, where I’ll feast on the Southern Dog (red hot dog, chili, coleslaw, mustard and diced onions), New York Dog (Nathan’s hot dog, spicy brown mustard, grilled onions and sauerkraut) and the Philly Cheese Dog (Nathan’s hot dog, grilled onions and peppers with melted American cheese).
All three dogs brought the flavor and held their own. The Southern nailed that classic combo of chili and slaw like it was born on a tailgate. The New York dog flexed with grilled onions and ’kraut, and the Philly brought the heat with gooey American cheese. And with plenty more franks on the menu, folks in Western Wake don’t need to look far—Corbett’s has their dog game locked down.
Over in Apex, you’ll find TapStation parked right off South Salem Street—assuming you can actually find a parking spot. It’s a madhouse on the weekends—and for good reason. The place cranks out eight different dogs, from the Carolina Dog loaded with chili, mustard and slaw to a Popper Dog that’s practically a dare—stuffed with jalapeños, wrapped in bacon and dripping in beer cheese. If you’re feeling adventurous (or just watched an Anthony Bourdain rerun), there’s even the Korean Slaw Brat topped with kimchi and Asian slaw.
Do you prefer your hot dogs with a side of chill? Head to BottleDog Bites & Brews in Cary. Belly up to the bar, grab a pint and scan the menu until something speaks to your soul. Every dog here is wrapped in bacon—because of course it is—and you’ve got choices like the Smokey Canuck, piled high with Montreal smoked meat, or the Famous Chicago Dog that hits all the Windy City essentials: sport peppers, neon relish and enough toppings to require a fork (and maybe a life coach).
So whether you’re chasing tailgate nostalgia, Chi-town chaos, or global mashups that don’t make sense on paper but taste like genius—Western Wake’s hot dog scene has you covered. Just come hungry and ready to get messy.
And if anyone asks why you’re eating your third dog of the day, just tell them this—you’re not overindulging … you’re simply learning how to relish the moment.
