North Carolina
Cape Fear Foodie: Hot Dog Road Trip Part 4
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – What better day to celebrate our local hot dogs, than on National Hot Dog Day? My thoughts exactly. Then again, how is that we are already through the middle of July and we’re just now going on our first Hot Dog Road Trip of the summer? It’s truly shameful on my end. But we’re all here now, the gas tank is full, the 100 CD holder is bursting at the seams, and the AC is struggling to keep up in this unrelenting heat…so let’s put rubber on the road.
Here’s a quick rundown of my entirely arbitrary rules for the Road Trip. For one, I try to stay away from chain restaurants at all costs (think Sonic or Cook Out). Secondly, I only order my hot dogs one way, with chili, slaw, onions, and mustard. To many here, that’s a Carolina Dog, for others it’s a West Virginia Dog. Either way it’s delicious and I highly recommend you give it a try if you haven’t before. Finally, I am judging these “scores” based on the hot dog itself, the bun, onions, chili, and slaw (sorry mustard).
Thank you to everyone who answered my Hot Dog Road Trip roll call, I received nearly 50 emails and comments about places I needed to check out. Some of them I have tried before, and you can read the previous three Road Trips here:
Hot Dog Road Trip Part 1
Hot Dog Road Trip Part 2
Hot Dog Road Trip Part 3
Many suggestions were of places I have never heard of before, or had on my list for a long time. I plan to make a trip to all of them, but here are a handful to satisfy your appetite.
Sweet D’s Cuisine
Some may find it strange our first stop is at a bakery known for it’s delicious sweet treats, including fresh croissants drizzled and filled with a variety of sugar-laden goodies. However, Sweet D’s Cuisine also offers plenty of savory items as well, including hot dogs. When it comes to this dog, the chili has a solid beef flavor (albeit a little dry), the slaw is fine cut and creamy, the onions freshly diced, and the bun was soft and perfectly enveloped its contents. The weakest link here was the hot dog itself (no pun intended), it seemed overcooked and tough, which is a real shame because the rest of the ingredients are top notch. This dog gets a respectable 3.25/5.
Monkey Junction Pit Stop
The next stop on our route takes us to a convenience store along Carolina Beach Road, the Monkey Junction Pit Stop. This place is a one stop shop for nearly everything you need on the way to the beach, they also have some killer hot dogs. You will have to ask the clerk to whip up your order, this isn’t a gas station where the hot dogs rack up more miles than your car while rolling under a heat lamp. The dog is quality, the chili is a meaty sauce, the slaw has a real creamy zing to it, the onions are fresh and finely diced, and the bun is firm but soft. A glamorous glizzy here, 4/5.
Truck’s Chicken ‘n Fish
When walking into Truck’s Chicken ‘n Fish on Red Cross St., you immediately smell the hunger-enducing aroma of fried chicken. Which makes sense, it’s in the name. Though some suggest they also make a hot dog worth stopping in for, so that’s exactly what I did. As you can see from the picture, Truck’s doesn’t skimp on the toppings (though mustard was accidentally forgotten). While this is a fork and knife hot dog, with each dog piled high, nothing particularly stands out. I will be back for some other menu items, and maybe give these dogs a shot at redemption. A lackluster showing, 2.5/5.
Sea Level City Vegan Diner
I know what you’re thinking, a vegan hot dog? As they say, “all’s fair in love and hot dogs,” or something like that. This may seem like a detour on our road trip, but it’s a stop I’ve wanted to make for some time. The soy-based dog here tasted just fine, the toasted bun was a positive as well, in fact, the entire package was one of the prettiest hot dogs I’ve ever ate. Yet, something just wasn’t right. Maybe it was the black bean chili (beans typically aren’t in hot dog chili) or the red slaw that didn’t impart much flavor, but this dog was more bark than bite. This creation is in the dog house, 2.5/5.
Sam’s Hot Dog Stand
I’m technically breaking the first rule of the Hot Dog Road Trip here…no, you can still talk about the Road Trip, it’s not that kind of rule. I visited a chain (of sorts). Sam’s Hot Dog Stand started in my native West Virginia, and has dozens of locations spread out through the Mountain State, Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina. However, I have received plenty of suggestions through the years for me to pay Sam’s a visit, so I finally obliged. The ladies here could not have been any nicer, and the hot dog they provided is about as good as you can get. A perfectly steamed bun cradles a beef hot dog, then its lathered in your choice of mild or spicy chili (I went with the latter) and topped with onions, mustard, and fresh, finely chopped, and creamy coleslaw. Others take note, this is how slaw should be on every hot dog. A blue ribbon frankfurter worth telling people about, 4.8/5.
Stay tuned this summer, as I visit many more locations, and as always, I am always seeking new suggestions. Have a favorite hot dog? Send me a note at corey.preece@gray.tv
IF YOU GO:
Sweet D’s Cuisine is located at 2321 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Monkey Junction Pit Stop is located at 4902 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington, NC 28412
Truck’s Chicken ‘n Fish is located at 604 Red Cross St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Sea Level City Vegan Diner is located at 1015 S Kerr Ave Unit A & B, Wilmington, NC 28403
Sam’s Hot Dog Stand is located at 5917 Oleander Dr STE 110, Wilmington, NC 28403
Do you recommend a restaurant? Or know of a best-kept secret that you want the rest of the Cape Fear to know about? Shoot me an email at corey.preece@gray.tv and I would love to feature your selection. Cheers!
Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.
At least two people are dead and “several” others are injured after a “planned fight” at a North Carolina park escalated into a mass shooting, authorities said.
Police have identified several victims and suspects after Monday’s shooting at Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Authorities confirmed there were multiple victims in the shooting, but did not provide an exact number. The suspects were still at large over two hours later.
Officers were called to the park just before 10 a.m. after reports of a fight, which then escalated into multiple people shooting each other.
Area schools are not in lockdown, and classes are operating as normal, police said.
“Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles,” police said.
According to local news station WFMY, at least three people were taken to the hospital. Officials have not shared their conditions.
Police said the shooting was an isolated incident and remains under investigation.
This is a developing story
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 6-2-0, Fireball: 6
Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-4, Fireball: 4
Evening: 8-1-5-6, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
02-21-32-35-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 19 drawing
18-26-27-31-42
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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