Corbett's tastes like the burger joints I remember from childhood -- juicy burgers, perfectly crisp…read morefries, AND they have an entire case of root beers to choose from! When they ask if you want seasoning on the fries, the answer is absolutely yes. They're great for gluten-free options. They have a completely separate fryer and prep station for people with allergies, which makes a huge difference. I had a colleague with both gluten and dairy allergies, and cross-contamination was always stressful when eating out. Corbett's was one of the few places she genuinely felt safe eating. The restaurant itself has a classic old-school diner feel: order at the counter, grab a fountain drink or a fun bottled soda (there is MUCH more than root beer), and they'll bring your food out to you. There are bottle cap openers mounted on the walls, crates for empties by the trash cans, covered outdoor seating, and prices that are refreshingly affordable. Final thought: the Sodalicious sauce is ridiculously good.

First time going, but will not be back!! An absolutely…read moretasteless, frozen burger patty, which I'm shocked has such a cult following for so long. There's nothing special or memorable about this burger joint, except for their affordable prices.

9.5 years later, I returned to the Roast Grill!…read more Nothing much has changed, and nothing really needs to. A little more Hurricanes gear, which I didn't need, but what can you do. 3 dogs and a coke for $14. Prices may not be the same, but such is life. I ordered all three dogs with mustard, onions, and slaw, and one also had the chili. I have to admit a few splashes of Texas Pete hot sauce took them over the top. The dogs themselves are great quality, none of the mystery meats that some of these other Carolina dogs have. And I'm glad they didn't load the chili on. Maybe this is not legal to say in the south, but I'm just not a fan of a chili dog with so much chili that the whole thing falls apart. The toppings should complement the dog, not overwhelm it. OK, I digress... The service was tremendous. I chatted with the owners about various topics for a good half hour and they were incredibly hospitable. They even gave me a couple of Tootsie rolls. Even though I can't do chocolate, I was glad to take them as a token of hospitality.

I visited the Roast Grill in January after years of looking down on the building from my former…read moreGannett Fleming office at One Glenwood and wondering what was inside this little Raleigh institution. The Roast Grill feels less like a restaurant and more like a preserved piece of mid-20th-century Americana hidden in plain sight along West Street. The narrow counter, wood-paneled walls, neon beer signs, Coca-Cola memorabilia, handwritten notices, old photographs, Hurricanes tributes, and decades of accumulated objects create an atmosphere that simply cannot be manufactured today. The place reminded me a little of Chicago's famous Billy Goat Tavern--especially the feeling of discovering something authentic tucked beneath an increasingly overbuilt urban streetscape. I ordered two hot dogs all the way with mustard, onions, chili, and slaw--absolutely NO ketchup, of course--along with a Coke in a glass bottle. The chili is legendary and reportedly takes up to three days to prepare. Whether that is folklore or fact, it certainly gives the hot dogs a flavor unlike almost anywhere else in Raleigh. One of my favorite details was the mounted goat wearing a red hat beneath the neon beer signs. It somehow fits perfectly within the visual layering and quirky personality of the interior. Even the traditions remain intact. At the end of the meal, every customer receives a Tootsie Roll. Places like the Roast Grill are becoming increasingly rare. It is not just a hot dog stand--it is a living piece of Raleigh history. If interested, you can view my post in "The Architecture of..." Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Tu51FPtB/

It's always great. Love the dogs and burgers but my favorite is the chili cheese friesread more

A friend suggested that I try Cloos', and what great advice that turned out to be. Cloos' brings…read morethe feel of Northern short-order stands, grills, and diners to the NC State area. I had lunch there on Thursday--and liked it so much that I went back again on Friday. Two days in a row. One word of caution: this is a true short-order grill. Everything is freshly made to order, and they are often very busy. You will not get your food as quickly as you would at a fast-food place like McDonald's or Wendy's. If you are in a big hurry, head west on Western Boulevard to McDonald's, Bojangles, Wendy's, or Cook Out--all places I patronize--but they are not the same type of venue. Cloos' Coney Island is a hot dog and classic American comfort food restaurant that has been operating in Raleigh since 1988, with strong ties to the NC State student community and local residents. According to their own signage and social pages, they proudly market themselves as "An Original Detroit Hot Dog Stand, Est. 1988." The restaurant is decorated like a classic diner or luncheonette. White tile gives a clean, bright feel, paired with black checkerboard accents. The décor is reminiscent of original White Castle, White Diamond, and Waffle House locations. There's even a Sopranos-themed pinball machine. Seating includes a lunch counter with round revolving stools and 1950s-style dinette tables and chairs. On Thursday, I ordered a Coney Dog and French fries. With the exception of the Chicago Dog, their hot dogs are 90 percent beef, with the remainder pork products. The Coney Dog is their specialty, served on a steamed bun with chili, mustard, and onions--try it; you'll love it. The fries are excellent--thin, string-style fries like McDonald's used to make years ago. My friend had the Chicago Dog, a Vienna all-beef frank customized with Carolina flair, adding slaw atop their Coney Dog toppings. They have a soda fountain with Coke products, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and both sweet and unsweet tea. As a fun detail, there's a Coca-Cola CLASSIC sign near the fountain--perfectly fitting for a place established in the late '80s. Because they offer both tea and lemonade, they list Arnold Palmers (sweet or unsweet) on the menu. They also offer bottled water and a selection of domestic and premium bottled beers. On Friday, I went alone, sat at the counter, and ordered the Philly Cheesesteak--listed on their menu as one of their signature items, and now I know why. I chose steak with green peppers and onions and added mushrooms for a small extra charge. I don't care for mustard (a Midwest thing) or mayonnaise (a Southern thing) on my cheesesteaks. When I worked in Philadelphia and ate at Pat's and the street carts, I always had ketchup on the bun. At Cloos', I dipped both my cheesesteak and fries into genuine Heinz ketchup from glass bottles--outstanding. I liked the fries so much the day before that I ordered another small order. Growing up in New Jersey, a root beer with a cheesesteak just felt right--even though I rarely drink soda. Some pairings are simply meant to be. The staff are great--nice, patient, and constantly engaging with customers. There's an ongoing conversation about everything, and you can tell they genuinely enjoy their work, their coworkers, and their customers. If you're expecting service with a deep Southern accent, this might not be the place--but the warmth and authenticity more than make up for it. Needless to say, I plan to go back. Two five-star experiences, back-to-back.

I really like the place its good and has good food I suggest a brown hot dog with lays original…read morechips and a dr pepper plus I know the owner Jayson service is good it fast and good quality

Great for a snack! The sausage was juicy, and the bun was fresh. A little more crunch would have…read morebeen perfect.

I went for my first visit and everything was great. Everything. If you love french fries, you need…read moreto try Char Grill. These fries are hot and salty neither too skinny nor too fat. I don't know how they stay so hot! I like french fries but these are next level. When I saw their brownies, I assumed they were premade. I was so wrong; they are delicious and definitely homemade. I had a banana shake and it didn't have any of that artificial banana flavor. You won't be disappointed.

We have gotten Char Grill delivered before but didn't have a chance till today to go inside…read more Char grill has that classic 1950/1960 ambiance with the style of the decor and music. Even the employees uniform reminds me of the vintage style from that time period! There were many places to sit but we decided to take it to go since we were on a time crunch. This location does not have a drive thru so you do need to park and pick up inside. This is the first burger place I have been to where you fill out your order and drop it into the slit for the kitchen crew, very unique! They cooked our food fresh and quickly, I wasn't able to capture pictures of our food in the dark car but it was really good! Beware the fries are on the salty side, so if you do not like salty fries please let them know! Great spot so glad we stopped by!

Regular dog with coleslaw, chili, and sauerkraut... SO good. There are many toppings and the guy…read morewas so nice. It'll be my new lunch spot. He's outside Lowe's everyday

Just a hot dog cart outside Lowe's hardware in Cary, but very good dogs and brats, some good combo…read moredeals, and friendly service that doesn't prompt you for a tip.

After shopping at Lowe's, which was great, I smelled Wicked Links and asked if they were open which…read morethe kind man running the place said yes! So glad I asked because the Brat was insanely good, and everything was reasonably priced. My girlfriend enjoyed an all beef hot dog and said it was very good. Awesome value for the money, food was delicious. Highly recommend eating here!

Was working in Apex and stopped by Lowe's and see this guy selling hot dogs…read more Unbelievable service Delicious food Great prices

Enjoyable but needs more toppings. The sausage was great, but the hot dog felt a bit plain. Adding…read moremore onions and relish would help.

Olsen's catered a great event at Tarboro Brewing Company tonight. Kind service, delicious hot dog…read morewith a huge variety of toppings, and great prices. Would highly recommend!