Hendersonville’s “Best Kept Secret”
Just outside of downtown Hendersonville is a small, independently owned hot dog shop called Great American Dog.
But don’t let the name fool you. While they do indeed serve a wide selection of specialty hot dogs, the menu runs the gamut from char-grilled burgers, sandwiches, salads, chicken tenders and seafood baskets to clam chowder.
Seafood baskets at a hotdog joint, you may ask? Yes, and lobster rolls! And these are like the ones in Maine or Boston. I just got back from a wedding where the groom is from Maine and his family flew down to North Carolina with whole lobsters to make lobster rolls for the wedding. These were amazing and very similar to Great American Dog’s lobster meat. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
We walked in at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday and there were still people in line at the register and customers sprinkled around the small shop. This many people here this late in the day, told me this is a popular lunch spot. One trip advisor review described it as “the best kept secret in town.” After reading the extensive hand-written board menu, we decided to try the Mixed Seafood Basket to get a sample of everything seafood, and of course, I wanted to try the hot dogs. I went with the Carolina Dog – slaw, chili, mustard, and grilled onions; and the Great American Dog – grilled onions, spicy red relish, mustard, and ketchup.
We sat down inside, though there were tables with umbrellas outside, and soaked in the scenery – lots of locals it looked like, many regulars, country music on the radio, and a patriotic decor. Our food arrived promptly and we were taken aback by the spread. After trying everything, Tom came out of the kitchen where he was working and sat down with us to tell us about how fresh everything is at his establishment. He orders New England scallops kept dry, not soaked, which keeps the quality high. And he gets “real deal” lobster and whole clams shipped from Maine.
The fried scallops were indeed my favorite – tender, flaky, and buttery. You really don’t need sauce with these. The fried oysters tasted like the ocean, clean and fresh. The shrimp, clams, and clam strips were a nice treat. These were served with hand cut and hand breaded fries and homemade slaw, which had a nice flavor. I often find myself looking for slaw with the perfect ratio of vinegar to mayo, and I would order the slaw here again. One thing I noticed is their prices can fit any budget, ranging from $1.99 for their Great American Dog to $15.95 for a lobster roll (served seasonally).
The Great American Dog was my favorite of the two hot dogs I selected. The spicy red relish is what sold it for me, adding a little bit of heat and spice to a delicious dog. Both hot dogs had a nice snap when bitten into. They’re made with natural casings from Massachusetts and then grilled, not boiled, adding additional flavor.
It is apparent that Tom Cote knows what he’s doing when it comes to owning a food business. From making sure the food is as fresh as possible to taking care of customers. He and his partner, Lisa Copeland, are both such warm and lighthearted people. And, this is not Tom’s first foray into food. He owned and operated a seafood restaurant in Maine for more than 30 years before moving down to Hendersonville.
When asked what he likes most about owning a food business, he replies, “The people. It’s all about the people. Forming relationships is the most important part of my day.” His answer doesn’t surprise me. My lasting impression of Great American Dog is Tom and Lisa care about their customers and the quality of the food they serve. I will be going here again and telling my friends to experience the quality and down-home service Great American Dog has to offer.
Great American Dog
808 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 697-2266
Mon-Sat: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hours subject to change