Paschall’s Café

I have been in more than my share of dives, holes-​in-​the-​wall, and joints in my never ending search for great hot dogs, BBQ, and county cooking, but Paschall’s Café maybe the most worn and tired looking — part joint, part hole-​in-​the-​wall, all dive.
Since I’ve been in a few less than stellar looking place, in less than the best parts of a number of towns, I am rarely a little unsure of what I’ve walked into, but Paschall’s did give me momentary pause — but I endevered to persever — with good results.
They serve a classic Southern chili dog here — good, meaty chili, a drier version than most place, but excellent flavor. The obligatory red wiener, very soft bun, mustard, and onion complete this gem. I thoroughly enjoyed this dog, and will not hestitate to return, and soon.

I was wondering recently if Paschall Grill was still open. That’s what the sign says the name is, and that’s what we’ve always called it.
I ventured out this morning to see. Yes, it’s still in business. Yay!
It seems to be one of the last of the old, local eateries known for great North Carolina-​style hot dogs. When I was a young boy… I would say little, but I’ve never been called little… there were a handful of places you could get what I thought were the absolutely best hot dogs in the world:
–The long departed Eagle Drive-​In at the corner of Roxboro and Old Oxford
–The Dairy Bar on North Roxboro beside the remaining Braggtown Baptist Church
–The King Sandwich Shop, now newly renovated and re-​opened
–The original Dog House on Miami, a «new comer» as I recall
–The Tastee Freeze on North Roxboro that became something else, also a «new comer»
–Amos & Andy’s, in my mind, the most legendary of them all
–It’s A Wiener, at least that’s the name I remember, on South NC 55 at NC54… a much later addition, but a great one, sadly now departed
Even 25 to 30 years ago, I remember talking to folks and lamenting the vanishing authentic NC hot dog, and folks recommended Paschall’s. At the time it was an old place. Why I had never been there when I was even younger, I’ll never know. But I remember visiting and knowing this was an authentic player. So I added it to my list.
It’s not very convenient for me, and hot dogs aren’t the healthiest thing for me to eat, so it is usually a few years between my visits. But there is something reassuring just knowing it still exists – that places like Paschall’s still exist.
Due to the time that passes between my visits, I usually enter the unassuming building and wait for my eyes to adjust and try to figure out the protocol. Today, while not dead, I had beaten the crowd, so I just took a seat at the counter, placed my order for the hot dog special and tried to soak up the experience.
Watching the seasoned staff work and seeing the years they’ve put in behind the counter doesn’t reassure me that Paschall’s will always be here. It will be sad when it joins the hot dog stands whose passings I still lament.
My two hot dogs with mustard, slaw, chili, and onions arrived with fries and a diet Coke. Yep. Authentic NC hot dogs. Tasty and satisfying, and I have to say they’re still better than the ones at either of the local chains.
They didn’t quite measure up to my memories of Amos & Andy’s, but then again, Amos & Andy’s probably wouldn’t, either. Thirty or so years can glamorize the flavors.
Paschall’s isn’t modern. It isn’t glamorous. It’s a good hot dog in a setting that reminds me of days gone by. Their cheeseburgers looked worth a try, and probably 10 people after me ordered spaghetti with garlic bread… so that must be pretty good. Oh, and though I didn’t try it, a sign says they have home made banana pudding. I’m betting theirs kicks some serious butt.
Give Pashall’s a try before they join the memories that are now just hot dog heaven.
Oh, and for the record, I know there are other hot dogs other than Carolina-​style. I love those as well. Loving one style doesn’t mean you can’t love the others.