The Charlotte 500, Lap 17: Poppa's Hot Dogs

While we haven't found a single pizzeria that offers Chicago-style pizza (there is an Uno's Bar and Grill in uptown, but that hardly qualifies as Chicago pizza), the towns north of Charlotte are home to a couple places that serve up Chicago style hot dogs, including Poppa's Hot Dogs of Mooresville.

Opened by a friendly Chicago native, who started chatting with Tiffany when he noticed my Northwestern Wildcats t-shirt, Poppa's offers all the sandwiches you'd expect in a hot dog stand - Italian beef, bratwurst, etc. - to go along with enough hot dog varieties to please all the transplants from Chicago and New York as well as the locals. My personal favorite is the Chicago dog, with the New Yorker (sauerkraut and mustard) and the Carolina dog (chili and cole slaw) tied for second. Poppa's also offers a Comiskey dog, which, as you'd expect of backwards White Sox fans, or my lovely wife, is the only hot dog that includes that heretical condiment, ketchup. Poppa's french fries are of the crinkly variety and are very good, but not quite great.

The decor consists entirely of Chicago or racing related artifacts. One wall is covered with photos of the local NASCAR drivers who have eaten at Poppa's, including Dale Earnhardt, Jr. My favorite item is a framed carry-out bag from Ditka Dogs. I'm not sure if that was ever a real place, but it's cool anyway - it's Ditka. There is also a large Scooby-Doo near the counter, which may or may not be a tribute to the semi-famous Scooby's Red Hots of Chicago (or one of the countless other hot dog stands that carry Scooby's name).

Located on Highway 150 (River Highway), just off I77 in Mooresville, has quickly become one of our favorites. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, it is a just a little too far to go just for hot dogs.