The Roast Grill
7 South West St., Raleigh
(919) 832-8292
The Roast Grill, an iconic hot dog joint near downtown Raleigh, offers a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. Where else will you find seating for only 12 people and possibly dine next to a lawyer, doctor, senator or even a former governor?
The Roast Grill’s genesis traces back to Greek immigrants George and Mary Charles, who originally started a restaurant on Martin Street but then opened the current location in 1940. “My grandmother called me to come here 19 years ago and take over for her,” said owner George Poniros. “She worked here until she was 88.”
The no-frills building features the original stainless-steel backsplash, black resin counter and swivel-style barstools. A pushpin-laden bulletin board holds countless yellowed business cards, while a back corner mirror showcases obituaries — a makeshift memorial to former Grill regulars.
Poniros, 53, mans the eatery’s two-knobbed original grill. It’s there that he cooks each hot dog until charred black. “Our motto is ‘we burn ’em for you!’” he said. “The wieners are a special Swift Premium product from Michigan. They are 90 percent beef and 10 percent pork.”
Hot dogs are $2.50 each. Toppings include Sauer’s brand mustard, hand-chopped, mayonnaise-free slaw (which costs an additional 25 cents), Texas sweet onions and a “century-old family recipe” house-made chili.
Ketchup is nowhere to be found, though. In fact, there’s a “no-ketchup-allowed” policy that’s been in place as long as the restaurant has been open for business. “My grandparents spent too much time making the hand-crafted chili for people to ruin it with ketchup,” Poniros explained, wearing his trademark round eyeglasses and a black Roast Grill T-shirt. French fries and chips are also not accessible, but, thankfully, Texas Pete hot sauce is. “It’s all about the wieners,” said Poniros.
The Roast Grill serves glass-bottled Coke and Diet Coke along with a handful of beer choices like Budweiser and Foster’s.
Poniros’ mom, Freeda, works alongside him and usually takes orders, delivers food and drinks to customers and tends the still-operational antique Royal cash register. She also makes sinfully good homemade baklava and pound cake, served saran-wrapped in individual portions.
“This place has the best hot dogs around,” said regular Ron Hughes, an N.C. State University employee.
Recently, the Travel Channel television network visited The Roast Grill and filmed an episode of popular show Man v. Food. Host Adam Richman ate 17 hot dogs, breaking the eatery’s record for most consumed in an hour. “Since then, people have come here from all over the country and the world,” Poniros said.
A cash-only establishment,
The Roast Grill is open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Monday through Saturday.
Be advised: The restaurant will be closed the last full week of July for vacation.Read more: http://www.carymagazine.com/features/hot-dog-heaven#ixzz1STT22aqM
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