A Day in the Life at the Roast Grill
I love Raleigh’s Roast Grill. This little (and I mean little!) hot dog counter occupies a cubbyhole on the ground floor of an old house on S. West Street. An old-fashioned “Hot Weiners†Coca Cola sign hanging over the neon Roast Grill sign in the window beckons to hungry passersby.
This Mom ‘n Pop joint is owned and operated by George Poniros and his Mom, Mrs. Poniros. George’s grandmother, Mary Charles, opened the place for business back in 1940. Not a lot has changed since then and the Roast Grill today is a veritable time capsule. I’ve been going there to get my hot dog fix for more than 30 years now.
On a recent visit this summer I stopped in for my usual 2 hot dogs, mustard chili and slaw and a Sprite, and chatted with George and his Mom some. As a rule the place is packed at lunchtime, but as it was kind of late —2 o’clock or so—the ambience was more relaxed than usual. There was only me, one little old lady and about 4 or 5 young people in there.
As I was sitting at the counter finishing up my lunch and eyeing the homemade baklava and pound cake, one young fellow approached George and asked him about the baklava. I heard him say how his girlfriend was Lebanese and her grandmother made baklava with pistachio nuts. Mrs. Poniros piped up and said, “Mine is Greek! It’s the real baklava and we use only walnuts!” When the kid asked how much for a piece George told him $2.50. Apparently he and his friends had spent all their money on hot dogs, as he looked disappointed and said he’d have to try it another time.
Well, I couldn’t resist that, so I asked George to give him a piece, on me. I think that gesture acted on George because he treated him to an additional piece as well! He cut the 2 pieces up so the young man and his friends could each have a taste.
As I left they were all animated and were “thanking me sir” and wolfing it down. I felt mighty full then even though I didn’t get any baklava myself! I love that place! You’d never have an experience like that at a MacDonalds!
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09/21/2008
What a great story – true character of Raleigh folks I’d say :-)
09/21/2008
PS – JUST noticed the adoption corner… AWESOME! One of my pups came from the SPCA and the other was a stray who found his way home with us!
09/22/2008
I had the pleasure to enjoy Roast Grill for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and they were definitely the best hot dogs in NC.
09/22/2008
I have heard nothing but good things about The Roast Grill. I don’t suppose they’d want to add bratwurst to the menu? :)
FYI – The single BEST (and funniest) thing about The Roast Grill is the prominent “Hot Weiners” sign — located immediately across the street from Flex. That juuuuust noses out the Totally Committed Baptist Church, whose sign is located just out the back gate from Dorothea Dix Hospital.
09/22/2008
Nah, I doubt it… Their fame lies with hot dogs and only hot dogs; Well, the baklava, too! And whatever you do, don’t ask for ketchup! The irony of that sign and the nightclub across the street has long been a Raleigh urban legend! I’ll have to check out the Baptist Church sign>> hilarious!
09/22/2008
Thank you SO VERY Much, Goodnight-Raleigh Staff, for the wonderful depictation of our humble and historic family business, that we will strive to keep in operation for hopefully ETERNITY! …I, Hot-Dog-George, am very proud and happy to be able to keep it all going, with as few changes from the original idea of “Do something simple, and do it as well as you possibly can! You will have lifelong fans!” All modesty aside, I do believe that we profess the greatest tasting item that this world calls ‘the hot dog!’ I am proud to serve the many hundreds of ‘regulars’ that we see monthly / weekly / and DAILY even! …And they really love the fact that I know how they want their hot dogs topped, and to what degree of BURN, their choice of beverage, and exactly how much of a RUSH that controls their entry & departure (“Gotta Go George!, Quick-Quick?”) Please visit and enjoy our website: pictures, history, and anecdotal goodies! http://www.roastgrill.com …hotdoggeorge proudly thanks you!
09/23/2008
I can attest that the Roast Grill fosters a welcoming lunch-time environment away from the hectic modern life we all lead. Not only are George and Mrs. Poniros comforting souls to befriend, but on a lucky day you might see, and hear, George’s operatic singing sister. Boy, what a treat this place is. The hot dogs are pretty darn delicious to boot (and you can also get them burnt if you wish–yum!!) “You wanna go where everybody knows your name.” This place is Raleigh’s quintessential “Cheers”. If you haven’t been to the Roast Grill, you have missed living!!! (Just don’t ask for ketchup!!!!) Cheers Roast Grill.
09/23/2008
Roast Grill is THE place to get the best dog in Raleigh! Everytime I go visit my friends the Poniros’ there, it reminds me that life does not have to be any more complex than great friends, a simply delicious meal, and straight forward kindness! Bravo! Miss you tons…can’t wait to come back from Missouri to have a dog all the way. Congratulations on the great reviews!
09/23/2008
I used to work on Hillsborough St. and our back door opened onto the little alley to the left of The Roast Grille. How I miss the dogs and the little Cokes in vintage bottles!
09/23/2008
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.
09/30/2008
that place is one of my favorite places to grab a dog. i wish i had brought cash today!
10/01/2008
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.
04/04/2009
But, nobody mentions the dancing Coke bottle up on the shelf behind the counter. I love that!!
05/14/2009
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.
07/28/2009
Hot Dog George is a god. My roomie showed me the place 25 years ago and I go back regularly.
06/12/2010
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.
11/11/2010
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.
02/03/2011
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
03/28/2011
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.