Address: 101-, 139 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28280
I found myself in Uptown Charlotte with some time to kill and I thought it was a good idea to check a few spots off my list. I had read great things about Vic The Chili Man, so I wanted to see for myself what all the fuss was about. Ironically, as I walked toward this hotdog stand I ran into another Charlotte institution, Greens Lunch, which has a sign that proclaims the counter has the best hotdogs in town. Admittedly, I am weak and can’t turn down the best of anything, so I decided to pop in and put the sign to the test. I can state, in my humble opinion, that the sign is a little sharper than a white lie, even if Vic The Chili Man didn’t exist, they still do not hold a candle to other places I have visited (see also, Pinky’s and the Diamond). Upon my arrival in Greens and one hotdog deep, I decide it is time to make my way down to the Chili Man – ready to wash the taste of Greens out of my mouth. After trying two street hotdogs from Vic The Chili Man, I really wanted to steal the sign from Greens Lunch and nail it the side of Vic’s cart. Vic The Chili Man’s hotdogs were not just great, they are probably the best in the city. I believe he would have a longer line if he were located in New York or Chicago and being from New York- I don’t write that lightly.
The Good: As mentioned these are the best hotdogs in the city, Vic takes pride in what he does and it shows. My first hotdog, the “Life Changer,” was for more than a few of reasons: first, the chili on the hotdog was great and second, when you add the cheddar cheese it is so good you feel like you need to go to church. The test to me for any hotdog establishment is simply a regular hotdog with sauerkraut and mustard. My second hotdog, given the test, was also divine; the spicy mustard Vic uses literally makes the ‘hotdog’ and puts it ahead of other establishments. It is the little details that separate a great hotdog from say a Greens Lunch hotdog. Toasting a bun is a simple yet effective step that can make the experience better, it should be standard, but the Chili Man was the only one who did it that day. The two hotdogs at Vic The Chili Man‘s stand were an excellent value, well worth the $6.50 I paid, and that included a drink and chips.
Vic himself adds a lot to the hotdog experience; I was able to speak with him for a few minute and he is just a friendly, likable guy who makes hotdogs, who genuinely seems to love what he does-which comes through in the taste. The experience I had, was not just service with a smile, he is sincerely a nice person, something typically absent from the hotdogs in the North…but I digress.
The Bad: The majority of my complaints have to do with obstacles to getting the hotdogs into my stomach. First, Vic The Chili Man‘s hours are kind of sparse, he serves the Uptown crowd for lunch. The hours are between 11-2:30, four days a week, which make getting a hotdog difficult if you have a regular job outside of Uptown Charlotte. In addition, Vic was the only man serving the hotdogs (at least when I was there), thus, I imagine the lines get pretty long.
The fact that this is a hotdog cart, you have to go into the experience understanding that there is no seating; there are benches directly next to the cart, but that is as far as it goes. I have to admit, I would have loved to have had a table and a beer with my hotdog, but obviously that would be out unless I brought my hotdog home…
Lastly, if you are coming here with someone and they don’t like hotdogs they are out of luck- well, I take that back, because he did have Bratwurst on the menu as well… At the end of the day, it is a hotdog stand/cart.
The Ugly: I picture myself changing jobs and landing Uptown one day and with almost unlimited access to these hotdogs: the ugly of the situation would occur a month later, especially in the summer and if it is Speedo weather. The hotdogs are so good they will allow you to leave your vanity in the nearest gutter, to roll down the street without a care. Truly, the only thing I find ugly about this place is what I would look like if I worked closer to the cart.
The Verdict (Lower Priced Eateries) 8.5 out of 10: I have given probably the highest score I would give to a hotdog cart, but the weight of the ‘dog is worth the paragraphs. I have always loved food with personality, and like Le’s Sandwich Shop, Vic The Chili Man adds personality to his food, he takes pride in what he does and for me that goes a long way, it is a must try for all hotdog lovers.
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I actually increased the score to 8.5 due to the new rating system. In its class, it is one of the better places to get an inexensive lunch.