Diners, Drive-Ins, Dives and Hillbilly Hotdogs

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Posted: 11:00 PM Nov 30, 2007
Last Updated: 11:00 PM Nov 30, 2007
Reporter: WSAZ News Channel 3
Email Address: news@wsaz.com

51 comments

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With items on the menu like "The Homewrecker" and “The Doublewide", Hillbilly Hotdog knows how to attract attention.

Now one of our region's unique eateries is attracting some national attention.

The Food Network's hit TV show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" went to Lesage, West Virginia Friday to see what all the fuss is about.

The crew from the Food Network also shot a segment at Rocco's Ristorante in Ceredo, even though Rocco's is far from a diner, drive-in or dive.

If you've been there, you know they do make excellent food. Maybe the host just didn't want to miss it.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Ed on Nov 15, 2008 at 11:56 AM
If you want GOOD cheap food, try HICKIES in PORTSMOUTH!

Posted by: booger on Jul 1, 2008 at 08:57 AM
WSAZ... How many times are you going to print this story? It's been on here on and off for 6 months. We all love Hillbilly Hotdogs, we all know it's on the Food Network. Something new please?

Posted by: wv guy on Jun 30, 2008 at 02:52 AM
Anonymous, I wouldn't want to eat your cooking.

Posted by: Chick on Jun 29, 2008 at 11:19 PM
When will this be on tv?

Posted by: kyguy on Jun 24, 2008 at 09:49 PM
overpriced..... holy cow! fair price for good food!

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 21, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I have eaten at the one on 3rd Ave. and I honestly have to say that I make better hot dogs at home. I would druther go to the store and buy what I want and grill my own dogs and add the toppings that I want. By the way for something that I can do better at home it was also a little pricey. My rule of thumb is that if I can make it at home then I don't eat it out.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 21, 2008 at 06:05 AM
its a story about a tv show people, not an open debate about who has the best hotdogs, congrats to the restaurant, and Guy Fieri Rocks!

Posted by: Hillbilly Hotdog Fan on Apr 20, 2008 at 05:47 PM
I love Hillbilly Hotdogs. I've only been to the one in Huntington on 3rd Ave. It is a fun crazy tacky but great place to eat. The food is very good. It reminds of a diner that Fred Sanford would have opened on the tv show Sanford and Son. It is meant to be a light hearted offbeat place.

Posted by: john on Apr 20, 2008 at 04:56 AM
get your doggs at huskey's in north charleston there the best in charleston.....i know i make them......

Posted by: windy bill on Apr 18, 2008 at 10:40 AM
I love hillbilly hot dogs because they got really nice decorations and if you don't have any teeth , they will even give you a frozen hot dog to hold on your gums. I love the repair fleet.

Posted by: windy bill on Apr 17, 2008 at 04:51 PM
i love that place they will put a hot dog in a blender if you don't have any teeth like me."i love river , coal and hot dogs"

Posted by: Speech on Apr 17, 2008 at 03:58 PM
The unique thing about Hillbilly Hotdogs is the large variety of hot dogs available. Chili, slaw, and mustard just won't cut it for you anymore after you try the Junkyard Dog.

Posted by: Frank's Wife, Kerry on Apr 16, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Frank, as your wife, I feel that it is my duty to correct you on 2 things. First, when you ask a question, you need to end it grammatically with a question mark. It looks like this: (?). Also, your sentence with "These are the same people are..." needs another word; it should be "These are the same people WHO are. Just doing MY duty to keep men in their proper position... groveling for forgiveness from the wife.

Posted by: Frank on Apr 16, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Monte, are you a little adverse to correction. Not willing to get out of that pit. I highly doubt that fat fingers, of which I have 10, cause people to use the word "there" incorrectly. You'd be astounded at the number of people who don't know the proper use of the words "to, too and two". Someone even spelled the word wight. These are the same people are offended by the term "hillbilly". Not all are offenders but there are enough to make my mission a necessary endeavor. (I am so misunderstood and unappreciated, SIGH) I suppose I must bear the burden of being called a scoundrel, because my mission is, as always, to expose the unsightly open wound of illiteracy--- albeit a mere one post at a time.

Posted by: Monte on Apr 16, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Frank, way to "coorect" us all I guess. Sometimes errors occur from fat fingers and not always due to poor writing skills. I'm sure most of those posting would have proofread their comments before submitting them if they knew the Grammar Police were in full force. Correcting grammar on the internet is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

Posted by: Frank on Apr 16, 2008 at 09:18 AM
First of all to you "Haters", why are you putting down others to build yourselves up. Go ahead toot your own horn, but not at someone elses expense. I think it's great that people commenting on this story can spell better than those who are commenting on politics. There were some errors here but i'm not going to list them as I have done on other posts. Maxine people not knowing how use the english language properly are why we are called hicks. I love this place. I think this place pokes a little fun at our stereotype and I think that is healthy. Learn to laugh y'all. You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. Even though I didn't coorect the errors in this post, my mission still is to root out the varmint called illiteracy---one post at a time.

Posted by: Eva on Apr 14, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Hey Big Brother Sonny and Sharie! I will be watching this tonight on the food network channel. I already have it set to record. I miss your dogs! Send us some hillbilly hotdogs to the Lonestar State!!! Love you. Glad to see HILLBILLY HOTDOGS ARE STILL GOING STRONG!!! Love from your baby sis Sending ya'll some nice warm weather......

Posted by: Glenn on Mar 22, 2008 at 09:38 AM
DDD Will air on April 14. Logan's Hotdogs although are very good, can't hold a candle to Hillbilly Hotdogs. I hat to admit it though.

Posted by: Liz on Feb 18, 2008 at 09:48 PM
When are they gonna air this on the show? We have been watching for it.

Posted by: deana on Feb 13, 2008 at 09:29 PM
i work at janet's in logan, and i can tell you we have the best hotdogs and the best service in the world, if you dont beleive me come see for your self.

Posted by: top on Dec 15, 2007 at 07:29 PM
they have good food and a great atmosphere. everyone should take a chance and eat at a dive from time to time. they tend to have the best food.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2007 at 05:24 PM
go to lavalette for the best hotdogs tripple h drive inn gets my vote the best in huntington were at midway

Posted by: Carol on Dec 3, 2007 at 11:07 AM
To Eddie, This particular show will air in about 2 months.

Posted by: Debbie on Dec 3, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Ok Newsroom, now tell them WHY they call it the homewrecker! LOL.

Posted by: dave on Dec 3, 2007 at 09:37 AM
Ok, here goes.. List of best hot dogs in H-town. Midway, Frostop, Farleys, Stewarts, Sams, then Hillbilly Hotdogs. (although all of these are good)Ok people... debate and argue among yourselves now........

Posted by: Lora on Dec 3, 2007 at 09:09 AM
I have ate many, many (too many) hotdogs in my time and the best hotdogs come from Morrison's in Logan. The Parkway comes in a very close second. Sorry people, we Logan people are not boasting, but when you got it, flaunt it!

Posted by: Did frequent on Dec 3, 2007 at 12:53 AM
The owners are the nicest people. They go out of the way to ensure customer satisfaction. When you factor that in with the great selection of Hot Dogs you'd ever want to try, you've got some good eats. Believe it or not, they have good chicken wings too! Ask for them hot and prepare for your lips to be a blazzin! But it's all worth it. Delicious, affordable and great atmosphere. A roadside treet for where you live.

Posted by: dg on Dec 2, 2007 at 09:11 PM
Hillybilly Hotdogs is not a big chain. While there are several locations, they are all locally owned and operated by the same couple. We all have our personal favorites. I am from a small town in Virginia and the local drive-in there, Wright's Dairy-Rite, has my favorite footlong hotdogs and their homemade onion rings are hand-dipped right there in the restaurant. All of that takes nothing away from Hillbilly Hotdogs. I don't thing that the Food Network chose that restaurant because it is a "dive," I think they chose this restaurant because of its unique atmosphere. Also, I think it is OK to have a sense of humor about WV. To me it is far more embarrassing that the college students at WVU burn their couches after a big football game.

Posted by: katy on Dec 2, 2007 at 07:33 PM
my mom used to work at hillbilly's in lavatte and it was a great place to eat, loved the dogs..not many can eat the big dog they have nder 12 minutes...people need to grow up they did not ome up with many of these dogs now did they..no...

Posted by: Ray on Dec 2, 2007 at 06:31 PM
Hillbilly Hotdogs in Lesage is the best. Friendly hosts, great atmosphere and food. I never got what people saw in Stewart's. I like the drive in idea, but the hot dogs are lousy.

Posted by: Debi on Dec 2, 2007 at 10:18 AM
I heard the Food Network also visited the Virginia Diner in Wakefield, VA. Does anyone have any stories about that visit?

Posted by: Kathy on Dec 2, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Oh, paleeeze! Frost Top has the best hot dogs by far in this area. As for Hillbilly Hotdogs...I lived in Lesage across from the 1st one that opened. When it first opened the sauce was incredibly good. I think they changed the recipe or something because I visited there a few months ago and the sauce didn't taste like it did at first. As for it being an eye-sore...GET OVER YOURSELF. Anyone with a sense of humor LOVES Hillbilly Hotdogs! I get a kick out of it every time I go by. And yes, I do like the dogs....I just think they use to be better!

Posted by: mel on Dec 2, 2007 at 09:08 AM
Oh get off your high horse...this is a hick town and it fits in. Love the guy and love that show. I can't wait to see it and Rocco's.

Posted by: Valerie on Dec 2, 2007 at 08:26 AM
I think this is great. These are jsut ordinary people who had a great idea and it is working for them. Eating in the bus is an experience. If you have not been to one of their locations I would suggest you do so. In lavalette they even have an out wayne dog it's a little hot and spicy but so are we out here in wayne.

Posted by: MAXINE on Dec 2, 2007 at 07:07 AM
Places like this gives WV such a bad image. No wonder everyone makes fun of us as being such hicks. Does the owners of Hillbilly Hotdogs understand that the Food Network is calling your place a DIVE ???

Posted by: anon on Dec 1, 2007 at 10:18 PM
I sent DDD an email a couple of months ago to come to gallipolis ohio and eat at Remo's. I am dissapointed that they didn't come here since they were in the area. Remos has been around for over fifty years. Hillbilly Hotdogs have been here, what 10-12 years tops? They are better that Stewarts though I must admit.

Posted by: Tully on Dec 1, 2007 at 09:28 PM
Hillbilly Hot Dogs is one of the best because they have such a big variety of hot dogs. The Junkyard, Snuffy's, etc. Much better than the "one dog fits all" of Logan County.

Posted by: Herman on Dec 1, 2007 at 09:27 PM
The best hot dogs are in Fairmont. Try an internet search. Yann's and Wright Dawgs. Need I say more?

Posted by: shirley on Dec 1, 2007 at 08:23 PM
I am a huge Guy Fieri fan. I voted for him when he was a contestant on The Next Food Network Star. However, I am not a fan of Hillbilly Hot Dogs. I think there are a lot of places that make better hot dogs.I'm very glad he came here and filmed a show for Diners, Drive-ins And Dives.Sonny and Shari Knight deserve the exposure. They've worked hard to get where they are, and you can't deny their place is unique.

Posted by: Jane on Dec 1, 2007 at 07:14 PM
While I do enjoy Hillbilly Hotdogs, the original Bowincal's was the BEST. I miss that place so much!

Posted by: Liza on Dec 1, 2007 at 06:02 PM
I am very happy for this couple. That hotdog stand has been there a long time. I was raised in the Lesage area. I can remmeber passing that, and thinking to myself there is no way, is that a joke? Then a few years ago, I was hearing all this good stuff about them. I regret never giving them a chance. I would like to say I was a customer years before all this. I think it was wonderful idea, and I hope this resturant goes even further than what it has. People from Logan stop being jealous, why is it when something good happens to someone else people have to be so negative. I am sure Logan does have good hotdogs, they are just not as creative as the owners of this hot dog joint. WAY TO GO HILLBILLY HOTDOGS!!!!

Posted by: Nichole on Dec 1, 2007 at 05:47 PM
I used to live in Lesage, and honestly Hillbilly Hotdogs doesn't look very sanitary. I've never ate there personally but everyone I know has, and they love it. Many congratulations on the honor, hope the show goes well.

Posted by: Janet on Dec 1, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Yes Morrisons Drive In has the best chicken you ever put in your mouth !!!!

Posted by: randy r on Dec 1, 2007 at 04:30 PM
Jess you are telling the truth the hotdogs at the parkway drive inn in the Logan area are the best I have ever had.

Posted by: WSAZ Newsroom on Dec 1, 2007 at 02:47 PM
From WSAZT to Curious, the Homewrecker is a 3 1/2 pound fully loaded hotdog with peppers, onions, nacho cheese, chili sauce, jalapenos, mustard, slaw, shredded cheese all on top of a one pound beef weenie. Yes there is a downtown location on 3rd Ave and a Wayne County location in Lavalette next to Ace Hardware.

Posted by: Jerry on Dec 1, 2007 at 02:45 PM
I would like for Food Network come to Hickies Hambugers in New Boston.The best in southern Ohio

Posted by: Curious on Dec 1, 2007 at 01:35 PM
Just what is a "Homewrecker"? a "Doublewide"? Doesn't Hillybilly Hotdogs have a place near Marshall U, too? Or somewhere downtown?

Posted by: Tom on Dec 1, 2007 at 10:55 AM
Am I the only one who thinks Hillbilly Hotdogs is an eyesore (especially the downtown location) and somewhat of an insult? (and they are still not as good as Stewarts or Sams)

Posted by: Brittany on Dec 1, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Although I cannot stand the host of the show, Guy, I will watch just to see Hillbilly Hotdogs!Anyone know when this is going to air?

Posted by: Jesse on Dec 1, 2007 at 04:09 AM
Not to take anything away from the places that were reviewed, I'm sure the food is great, but if the Food Network wanted to find some of the best dogs in West Virginia, they should have made some time to come to Logan. The drive-ins in Logan have been around forever and have some of the best dogs anywhere. Morrison's, Janet's, the Parkway, the Mecca, I've eaten hot dogs from all over and they don't get any better than the ones from any of these places. Nothing from any chain can compare to them. Anyone from the Logan County area or anyone who has eaten a hot dog at any of those places can back me up on that.

Posted by: Eddie on Nov 30, 2007 at 11:56 PM
When is this supposed to air on Food Network? Or, was it a live show?

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