Your Guide to Authentic Regional Eats
Sign In | Register for Free!
Restaurants Recipes Forums Eating Tours Merchandise FAQ Maps Insider

Zack’s Hot Dogs

201 West Davis Street, Burlington, NC - (336) 226-4746
Posted By Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch on 11/19/2010 5:38:00 PM
In the middle of North Carolina’s BBQ Country, Burlington is also a major hot dog epicenter. Since 1926, Zack Toupoulos and family have owned and operated Zack’s Hot Dogs, and its current store—built in 1977 on West Davis Street—is just around the corner from its original location at the corner of Front and Worth Streets. Soon after Mr. Toupoulos bought the Alamance Hot Weiner Lunch in 1928, locals began referring to it as “Zack’s Hot Dogs,” due in part to Zack’s famous chili: a fine-grained meat sauce with no beans, and the bright orange grease left in its wake is reminiscent of similar Greek-style chili sauces in the Albany/Troy, New York area.

The chili dogs are obviously popular, but the favorite among hot dog connoisseurs is the Combo, with a slice of American cheese underneath the weiner then covered in chili. Zack’s uses Curtis Franks, a packing company in Greensboro, and by lunchtime the meat/pork weiners fill up the griddle that’s visible through their storefront window. Zack’s also serves soda in glass bottles, and there is nothing like enjoying a brace of Combos with a tall Cheerwine at a counter stool. Dessert is simple: cardboard boxes of pre-packaged honey buns and pies near the cash register. Some swear by the chili dogs at Boston Sandwich Shop around the corner, but it’s Zack’s Hot Dogs that keeps us returning to downtown Burlington time and time again. Zack’s is open from 6am to 10pm Monday-Thursday, and 6am to 11pm on Friday & Saturday—closed Sunday.

7 out of 8 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Scorecard

5 - Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace
Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace
Combo Hot Dog
Cheerwine
Rate this place

Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

These Combo dogs, nestled with slices of cheese and a spill of chili in fluffy buns, are always our obsession when driving anywhere near Burlington.
"These Combo dogs, nestled with slices of cheese and a spill of chili in fluffy buns, are always our obsession when driving anywhere near Burlington."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch





Cheerwine is sold all over the Carolinas, but it's especially delicious out of a glass bottle at Zack's.
"Cheerwine is sold all over the Carolinas, but it's especially delicious out of a glass bottle at Zack's."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch


Zack's doesn't fret over dessert: four varieties of pies, cakes, and honey buns are available at the register.
"Zack's doesn't fret over dessert: four varieties of pies, cakes, and honey buns are available at the register."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch


Zack's has been attracting hardcore hot dog hounds in central North Carolina since 1928.
"Zack's has been attracting hardcore hot dog hounds in central North Carolina since 1928."
Chris Ayers & Amy Briesch


The only reason I got to try one of the cheese dogs was because a friendly local bought one for me. He told me he eats four or five at a time. The wiener is replaced by a small block of cheese and then covered in Zack's delicious chili.
"The only reason I got to try one of the cheese dogs was because a friendly local bought one for me. He told me he eats four or five at a time. The wiener is replaced by a small block of cheese and then covered in Zack's delicious chili."
Cliff Strutz



What is Roadfood?  |   Submit Content  |   Privacy Policy  |   Contact Roadfood.com   Copyright - Roadfood.com