Hot Dog World

Few Roadfood adventurers would come across a restaurant that calls itself Hot Dog World without checking it out. Its mission in life and attitude are admirable; and the Dixie dog is dandy and the burgers are beautiful in a mid-century American drive-in way. Nothing I’ve eaten is going to make me detour half a day for another helping, but if I am near Hendersonville and the yearning for a pale pink frankfurter topped with mustard, onions, mildly spicy beef chili and sweet, creamy slaw strikes (as it often does), I know where to go.

Hamburgers, like Hot Dog World hot dogs, aren’t cordon bleu. That’s OK, for there are times when a cheap round of beef, fully dressed and topped with cheese and loaded into a fresh sesame seed bun is just what’s needed. (Two or three loaded into the bun are better.) In my book, these burgers have all the ingenuous charm that is lacking in corporate-created franchised versions.

A town favorite since the 1980s, Hot Dog World is a nice stop for those seeking a jolly fast food meal for under $10.

By the way, next to Hot Dog World is Yogurt World, a serve-yourself frozen yogurt shop.