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| Image from Open Durham |
One of my plans for this blog was to feature entries for dearly
departed hot dogs… hot dog businesses I fondly remember and wish were still
around.
No such entry would ever be complete without the legendary
Amos "N" Andy. Although I probably ate there more before I can remember, I only
have memories of three times. Oddly, those three were at three different locations.
The first was what I assume to be the original at the site of the current
Durham Marriott. As I recall, it was a long room with a counter on the left.
The man preparing dogs would line them up side-by-side along his arm… I assume
he had clean arms. He had topping the dogs down to a science.
The second Amos "N" Andy location I visited was on NC 55 heading
out of town. This additional location was a stand-alone building that remains
today, but it has been a combination of numerous establishments, as well as
vacant, since that meal back in 1972. I remember the year because “Stuck in the
Middle With You” was on the juke box.
The last time I had an Amos "N" Andy dog would have been in
the late 70s or early 80s. By that time, the original location had moved closer
to Five Points on Main. The hot dogs were as good as ever, and they’re really
the standard by which I judge a hot dog these days—however, fair that may be,
considering time and romanticism may have made them even better in my mind… but
I don’t think so.
My verdict: 5 weenies
I remember eating dogs from Amos'n Andy as a kid. My dad would not let us (my mom, little brother and sister) go inside because he said they sold beer inside. I've since wondered if maybe it was that he wanted to drink one himself. :D. I had a few at their 5 Points location in the 80s and they weren't nearly as food as my memories. We used to also eat at Paschall's Grill on Holloway and remember those as comparable to the also wonderful King's. Glad to see someone blogging about something so near and dear to my heart.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn! I just saw your comment. Thanks for writing, and I apologize that I've been slack! Great to hear from someone who also loves good hot dogs. I'd love to have about three and an ice cold beer right now!
ReplyDeleteAmos and Andy Chili Recipe/Ingredients from Facebook post
ReplyDeleteHere's the recipe, courtesy of Dan Cagle, son of DHS's principle in the '60's (you can divide by 3 for a smaller portion):
AMOS ‘N’ ANDY CHILI
1) 3lbs. Texas Onions (chopped)
2) #3 can tomatoes
3) 3 cloves garlic (chopped)
4) 3lbs. hamburger (not browned)
5) 3 tbsp. sugar
6) 6 tbsp. chili powder
7) 5 tbsp. paprika
8) 1 tbsp. red pepper
9) salt to taste
Haven't tried it but have been told it is the same. I have a copy of the Photograph of the Downtown location. Used to go to the Dentist in the CCB building (now Suntrust) and then we were treated to a hot dog and a coke while seated on a coke crate.
Thanks! That recipe looks pretty darn good. In my research and experimentation, it seems one key to making hot dog stand style chili is to avoid browning the meat. Almost all recipes start with browning the ground beef, but to get the texture that is so much a part of the Carolina Hot Dog experience, most recipes suggest adding water to the raw beef and creating a slurry.
DeleteMy experiences with Amos & Andy were similar to yours... minus the dentist trip.
I don't think this is it...just sayin'...I have a recipe close to it, but I ain't sharin' !!!
DeleteThat is the recipe.I also have that one and it works perfectly every time.I am now 72 and I ate A&A hot dogs from age two until they closed. My dad's office was diagnoally across the street.
DeleteRobert, who cooked the chilli in the latter years, was an acquaintance until he passed from cancer. A&A chilli, like Little Acorn hush puppies, was a major factor in growing up in Durham.
Lad Carrington
I made the recipe above and it’s good chili but not even close to A&A. I got the original recipe today but....I promised not to reveal.
DeleteThe original site was half a store front, to the right of a barber shop. The counter was on the right, not the left, which was a long bench with half-desks. And Mr. Eubanks did not put the hot dogs on his arm. He tore off a piece of waxed paper from a roll mounted on the back wall behind the counter.
DeleteHere is the true recipe. I have made it several times, and my memory is pretty good. It tastes the same. The unique thing is, it contains no tomato products.
DeleteAmos ‘n Andy Chili
From the Durham Herald-Sun in 2003
INGREDIENTS:
2 Pounds of hamburger/divided
1 Quart of water
1 Medium onion-grated
5 Cloves of garlic-crushed
2 Tablespoons of chili powder (adjust to taste)
1 Tablespoon of cumin
1 Tablespoon of paprika
2 Teaspoons of salt
1 Teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper (optional-adjust to taste)
Place a pound of the hamburger in a saucepan with the water, and squish it to form a slurry. Crumble the other pound of hamburger in a frying pan, and brown well. Remove the meat to the saucepan, and sauté’ the onion and garlic in the remaining grease for about five minutes. Place onion, garlic, grease, and all the spices in the saucepan with the slurry. Bring to a boil, then turn back and simmer for 2½ hours, until consistency is right for spreading on a hot dog. You can also prepare this in a Crock Pot, instead of a saucepan, using 4 hours on high, or 8 hours on low.
This is a receipe that Al Carson posted in the Durham paper 20+ years ago. I don't know if it is Amos and Andy's and I have made it for that long and it is excellen!
DeleteWhat a great place that was. I ate many fantastic hot dogs there and it is still the gold standard of Carolina dogs.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. The Gold Standard. I think the Roast Grill in Raleigh gives it a good try, too.
DeleteFor remembering these hot dogs of yesterday, I've created the hashtag #dogsgonebye. Please use as appropriate.
Does anyone know what was Amos and Andy's real name and if they played the guitar and sing?
DeleteFreeman Gosden and Charles Correll. Don't recall any guitar playing or music.
DeleteHi Julia. I think that Amos and Andy are unrelated to the legendary hot dog stand. I could be wrong.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see someone blogging about this place! I miss it soooo dearly. I grew up going to work with my mother there(before & after preschool) & having my own hide outs & special creations! I agree with ya'll there is NOTHING like an Amos N' Andy's hotdogs ATW (chili, mustard, & onions). The only 2 places I have found even remotely close is The Roast Grill in Raleigh & Shorty's in Wake Forest.
ReplyDeleteSome great personal memores & photographs. Wish it was still around
Hi Christina, I love the Roast Grill. There's a booth at the NC State Fair that says it is The Roast... but their slaw wasn't as good.
ReplyDeleteI will put Shorty's on me "short list."
All the best!
CHD
Grew up in west Durham in the 50's/60s and after my father took me to Amos and Andys, must have had a hundred of their dogs over the years.Moved to NYC after college and never found one better. Miss A&A! Jim Rigsbee
ReplyDeleteI miss them, too. I don't know if time has enhanced the memory or what, but you just don't get hot dogs that taste like that anymore.
DeleteMy dad use take me by Amos & Andy Hotdog Cafe when we came to Durham. There was a young man named Lawrence (I think) was the man that prepared the hotdogs; and, he would literally have a string of hotdogs dressed from his hand all the way up his arm to the shoulder. I have never seen anything like it before. He was not the owner when I first came to the cafe; however, he was so good at preparing the hotdogs (and he was fast too) that, the owner of the cafe left the business to him when he retired--I was told. I used eat 6 of the hotdogs (w/chili, mustard, and onions) every time I ate there. Durham, being the home of Duke University, the cafe had photos on the wall in the cafe of some of the Duke Football Team challenging each other in who could eat the most. There was small bar to be served the dogs that would seat about 8 people; and a small room in the back with tables & benches. Many times I would have take out the dogs because their not enough room in the cafe for everybody at certain times of the day. I have very fond memories of the cafe, especially with my Dad, who knew the owner. I am trying to find a Amos & Andy Chili Recipe; the one mentioned above in this forum is fine; but, it does not tell how to mix the ingredients, and how long to cook. If anyone knows recipe and how to prepare the chili; I would appreciate it very much.
ReplyDeleteThe owner (and guy who lined the dogs up his arm) was Norris Eubanks. They also had Pepsi crates in the "little room in the back" that we used as seats. We turned the crates on their end and sat and ate our hot dog. Did that many, many times.
DeleteDefinitely a legendary hot dog experience. Some of the memorabilia Karl mentions reminds me of some of the stuff at Jimmy's Hot Dogs on Guess Road. I believe there is a cutout of a man with Eubanks on his shirt. I'll have to check the next time I visit.
DeleteThanks for the correction. It was Norris; not Lawrence.
ReplyDeleteNorris Eubanks’s Son was Johnny and controlled it after his Dad passed. I enjoyed them from around 1955 until the late 70’s at hwy 55 and hwy 54. To this day I have never had one even close. I almost got the recipe from a lady who worked in the restaurant on 54 who was a customer of mine at the ACC Tavern on 55 in RTP. I fittlled around and failed but I would give my next born for the recipe!!!! I’ll try the above but will be pleasantly surprised if it is correct......John W Hopkins DHS class of 1965.
ReplyDeleteI am from Durham, I never ate at Amos and Andy’s. my dad swears it was the best hot dog...slinging dogs on one arm, you could get em with mustard or mustard and Chili. My response is for the Jimmy’s Grill in guess road. The thing that was so good there was the slaw. If anyone knows how to make that slaw...please post!
ReplyDeleteI have a picture of the original site on Chapel Hill Street, across from the Herald-Sun, but I see no way to post it here.
ReplyDeleteI have a picture of the original site on Chapel Hill Street, across from the Herald-Sun, but I see no way to post it here.
ReplyDeleteIf you could DM the picture to @CarolinaHotDog on Twitter, I'd be happy to post it if you own the rights to the picture and would like it posted here.
DeleteWhat a thrilling post, you have pointed out some excellent points, I as well believe this is a superb website. I have planned to visit it again and again. mastiff types to read about
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words! I'm glad you like it. I'm always keen to find out other great Carolina Dog purveyors. Feel free to suggest places you love.
DeleteGreat memories of eating A&A hot dogs. My mom and I would wait in the car while my dad would go in. I found out years later that my dad would knock back a couple of beers while waiting for his order. He would come out with a bag full of dogs wrapped in paper with grease seeping through the paper. Yeah, good memories.
ReplyDeleteGreat story. I'd probably knock back a couple of dogs with the beers before returning to the car. :-)
ReplyDeleteI ate 3 hot dogs & a Pepsi on Saturdays when I worked at Butler's Shoes. Paid for them with 50 cent silver coin & got 5 cents back. The hot dogs were GREAT but I lost a million dollars in silver coins. I lived near Kings HD stand. They were GREAT too.
Deletehttps://images.app.goo.gl/vTxcCiUQHZ14E5197
ReplyDeleteI too remember eating those greasy hots dogs. Seems all of us had to grow up together in the area cross the railroad only. We need to tell the Real truth now we can we are older.
ReplyDeleteWe Older Durham was Black Royalty.
Hillside , Whitted school, Cc Spaulding. We had the most smartest, talented, unique blacks around then Jack and Jill Club remember. Stallion club, Brown Derby, Paul s Grill. The first Black Million was a lady. On Fayetteville st.Walker family.
Let's plan a get together to put together lets tell our Parent's Real Story for them it's about time
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ReplyDelete