Bill's Hot Dog Stand — Restaurant in Washington

As a North Carolina native, a Navy veteran and the daughter of one of the oldest BBQ restaurants in NC who also was noted for hot dogs, I can inexplicably tell you that you are definitely out of line. Having lived in Washington NC for awhile, I can attest that when I first tried Bill's Hot Dogs, I was completely thrown for a loop, as I'm very particular over the type of hot dog and theirs is as red as can be which screams...Red Dye! However, the chili is almost addicting...it is a meatless chili that resembles spiced up gravy paste, but I've learned that it is a navy bean chili. Soon after trying this unusual hot dog, my entire family became Bill's Hot Dogs regulars...it was a novelty, the same as the Johns Island Hot Dog that has only a weiner, mayo, peanut butter and chopped onion. Sounds horrible, but the taste is in the pudding as they say....I tried it once reluctantly and was hooked. As far as hot dogs with cole slaw....PLEASE, that is a southern favorite...but the neat thing about "FREAKIN" hot dogs....is they are very convertible so your statement is incredibly biased and ignorant, and you people talk about Southerners. One of my family's favorite hot dog is with Thousand Island Dressing, melted swiss cheese and kraut. We do not criticize the North for using Kraut or relish....we try that on occasion too. So my advice to you is from a Southern Belle.....who really has a problem with the yankee crowd coming here anyway. You trash your beaches, and don't mind coming to our beautiful coastline and trying to do the same. For over 15 years I lived in the Wilmington area and on many occasions, my children and I would go over to Wrightsville Beach and clean up the garbage you people left behind on our beaches after a holiday. We've seen your beaches...they're a sorespot on the map. In closing...if you do come here, don't try our food, we don't care...don't trash our beaches....they are our pride and joy. Do not make fun of our language, your usage of the Kings English is far worse than can be imagined. You invaded Myrtle Beach and turned it into a carnival town...and some of your bloods's as they are called, sells hotdogs all the way with tomato lettuce onion slaw and...

After hearing the history and hype, I had to at least give it a try. Man am I glad I did.

It is a simple, no-frills, hot dog joint. The food hasn't changed in 96 years and the store probably hasn't either. That is NOT a bad thing. It is a step back in time and sometimes a bit of nostalgia makes everything better.

As for the food. It is a simple red hot hot dog served on a steamed bun. This isn't something that will win Master Chef or get them a James Beard Award. If that is what you're expecting, you're missing the whole point of what a hot dog joint is. They simply have three things you can put on your dog; yellow mustard, diced onions, and their "house recipe chili". The chili is good, in its own unique way.

The chili is a white bean chili with some spice. I'm fairly sure it is "thickened" with corn starch l, so it has a texture different from every other chili I've had (I'm a native Texan, so that is a LOT of chili). I had to approach it with an open mind, because it wasn't a "chili sauce" (like Cincinnati raves about), chili con carne (Texas style), or really anything I was used to. With all that said, it is tasty and I will definitely get it on my dogs in the future. It does have some heat, which is a very subjective thing. On a 1 to 10 scale, I'd place it at a 4. It hits a medium level with a lingering burn that is enough to open sinuses,but won't make you sweat or give you stomach cramps.

So, in summation, I say if you want a simple and quick bite for lunch as you stroll the little Washington downtown and riverfront, you can't go wrong with a Bill's Hot Dog or three. Grab some chips and a soda and wander South towards the river and grab a bench or picnic table. What you are doing is continuing on a lunch tradition in the area that goes back to before the...

I grew up in Greenville, and always heard mixed reviews on Bills. Some loved it, others said the chili is great but not the hot dog. So I finally went here with some co workers and ordered some hot dogs with the chili. Was different, but the hot dog left much to be desired. The buns were soggy, and the hot dog was just an average dog. Some friends of mine told me not to eat here, because the hot dogs aren't that good, guess I should have listened. We won't be returning to Bills, but at least I tried. These are not the best hot dogs in NC, quality is lacking, but it's probably what some people grew up on, and love it. . The staff was indeed rude, so you better order quick. Love Washington, but I just don't see all the hype about Bills. I think if they used a better brand of hot dog, it would make a huge difference. One last thing, the whole "Best hot dogs in the world" thing, is just that. A thing, or opinion, as we all know. I'm sure other reviews from places across America say the exact same thing. There are tons of great hot dog joints across America that are really amazing, this place just doesn't...