‘Don’t Dis’ the Dog’

JJ’s Red Hots
1514 East Blvd.
980-225-8880
jjsredhots.com
$

Charlotteans must be captivated at the thought of a whole restaurant devoted to hot dogs because 20 minutes after JJ’s Red Hots opened on a recent Sunday, all the tables were filled and customers had to lurk in the aisles waiting for someone to leave. Is it worth the wait? For the most part, yes.

JJ’s Red Hots in Dilworth just opened in July, and its motto is “Don’t dis’ the dog.” It serves premium hot dogs, as well as a variety of sausages, all on potato rolls, which really make delicious buns. Signature dogs range from JJ’s No. 1 Red Hot with chili relish, onions, mustard and pickles to the Maui Gold with diced onions and grilled pineapple salsa. Sausages range from andouille to salmon. Sides are limited to onion rings, slaw and beans, though we were told house-made chips are coming soon.

Kids menu items, such as battered and fried frankfurter pieces, come with a fountain drink and choice of apples, fruit salad or chips. My 6-year-old daughter decided to skip this and build her own hot dog off the main menu. My husband chose the signature Char Heel with chili, slaw, diced onions and mustard. Both said the large, char-grilled dogs were good, but not overly special.

I chose the Italian sausage with grilled onions and peppers – it was juicy, spicy and delicious. Our onion rings were more like sautéed onions with a little batter on them rather than more typical crunchy rings. The hand-spun milkshakes were thick and tasted like real ice cream, and the peanut butter-chocolate ganache bar was quite a treat.

At this casual, comfortable restaurant, you order at the counter and wait for a server to bring your food to your table or booth. Service was fairly quick for how busy it was, though our dessert order was forgotten and it took awhile to receive it even after we reminded a server about it.

Heather Bailey is an editor, writer and mom who lives in Charlotte.

SIDE DISH ?
Milk and Juice: No | Changing Stations: No | Kids Menu: Yes

Symbol Key: $ = under $10 • $$ = $11-$15 • $$$ = $16-$20 • $$$$ = $20-plus

> Read last month’s restaurant review: Duckworth’s in Ballantyne