Comments on: A Day in the Life at the Roast Grill

By: Chip

Chip — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 03:10:39 +0000

I am a third generation NC State grad (and Raleigh resident), and I went to NCSU 20 years ago. None of the generations of my family have ever heard of or visited Roast Grill, including my father, who went to NC State in the late 50s when the campus cafeteria was deadly, so all students ate along Hillsborough St, and downtown.

Anyway, after discovering Roast Grill on “Man vs Food”, we decided to check it out. Good hotdogs, but too long a wait for young kids. Will come back sans kids to enjoy the atmosphere.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:50:29 +0000

My sign company (Artcraft, since 1933) is right across Hillsborough from George’s, and I have to say that since I took over this shop last year, it only took 2 visits to the Roast Grill to become a “regular”. Actually, by the second visit, George had already committed my standard order (2 up, medium burn with chili) to memory. I proudly wear the RG oval sticker on the rear bumper of my rusty old truck which seems fitting somehow. Not the prettiest or the shiniest, but it is just the thing to get the job done without all the fluff. Maybe a bit like the Roast Grill, simply perfect. Go George! -Jim, Artcraft

By: Al

Al — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 02:34:35 +0000

I still stop by the Roast Grill occasionally, but I used to go far more often when Mrs. Charles was here. What a sweet lady she was. George has done a very good job of keeping the place much as it used to be.

By: Ginny Young Kellum

Ginny Young Kellum — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:42:16 +0000

I have known the Charles family since I was about 2 (which was about 57 years ago). My family lived in the house that is attached to the restaurant for a while. Having grown up in Raleigh it’s nice to still have a place I can go back to that still remains standing. So much of the “old places” are gone. Keep the memory alive George.

By: Zman

Zman — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:23:50 +0000

Hot Dog George is a god. My roomie showed me the place 25 years ago and I go back regularly.

By: Barbara Jo

Barbara Jo — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:48:28 +0000

Here I sit in the beautiful mountains of western NC (moved here from Raleigh in June ’08) and all I can think about is WHEN can I get back to Raleigh to go to Roast Grill? My girlfriend, Nancy, and I used to meet at Roast Grill at least once a month – 2 hot dogs and a bottled coke! Life doesn’t get any better than that.

By: dbearhug

dbearhug — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 22:12:24 +0000

But, nobody mentions the dancing Coke bottle up on the shelf behind the counter. I love that!!

By: Pineview Style

Pineview Style — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:17:36 +0000

I tried this place for the first time yesterday. The Hot Dogs were delicious! I can’t believe I have lived in Raleigh this long and never made it there sooner. I always enjoy eating at ecclectic places like this.

By: Devin

Devin — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:19:49 +0000

that place is one of my favorite places to grab a dog. i wish i had brought cash today!

By: John

John — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:36:39 +0000

There is something really special about this place.

I remember the first time I went in for lunch, and how I had never experienced anything like it before. You have to have an amazing amount of adoration and respect for the philosophy of doing something simple, but doing it in an amazing way.

George and his mom really do have the best memory of any restaurateur in town. Despite their very simple menu, there is even a vegetarian option — the “ruth dog”. It consists of a hot dog bun, slaw, mustard, onions and hot sauce. It was so named after a friend of theirs that is a vegetarian.

As was mentioned, the baklava is to die for. Hands down the best I’ve ever had.