Hope Valley Diner

 

First off, happy National Hot Dog Day. What better way to celebrate the day than to add a new Carolina Hot Dog review?

Most of the places I review are hot dog stands, burger joints, or other fast food establishments. 

Not this time. Hope Valley Diner is a respectable, full-service restaurant in southwest Durham. Rarely a week goes by that we don't pick up food or dine here on the sidewalk.

For years, I'd noticed that they had a Carolina hot dog on the menu. Footlong, no less. And their slaw is among the best I've ever had. Really awesome slaw. I've always been curious. So, I figured, "Why not?"

I ordered it... with sweet potato fries...

It looked so good. I topped it with the slaw, and took a bite. The slaw was perfect, as always. The weiner was a quality all-beef dog. the onions were spot on. Just the right amount of mustard. The chili, though, it really was the weakest element. Well, the chili or the fries. The chili looked delicious, but it really wasn't. It was quite disappointing.

Hope Valley Diner isn't a hot dog place, so it's not surprising that their hot dog isn't amazing. But with some improvements to the chili, it could be.

My verdict: 3 weeinies.