Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Old Charleston HDJ Reminiscence - The Gold Dome Drive In
I think that when it comes to HDJs of yesteryear, the Gold Dome Drive In gets more mentions on this blog and on our Facebook page than any other. Sitting on the East End side of the old Kanawha City Bridge, this place was legendary for its hot dogs. In one of the very first posts on this blog I reminisced about how my mother would get their hot dogs and purposefully not eat them until after the 10 minute drive home so they would be nice and gooey. Others have written about their 10 or 12 (or even 13) for $1 deal. Whatever your memory of this place, here is a photo that will help bring it back:
That's a later picture [1960?] of the Gold Dome. They were very good. They also had a BBQue. On the east side of the bldg they had an enclosed cooker that had, as I remember, a pig turning on a spit. There was a much larger dome that did look a little like the capitol. In my time I don't remember slaw until later. What you got was sauce, or chili sauce. A lot of places just used the commercial sauce in bottles bu the truly memorable hot dogs had a secret recipe sauce. There was also mustard and onion. A hot dog that still dwells in my mind was made at a little lunch counter on Elizabeth St in what is now a portion of the Red Carpet. It was only there in 1944 and 45. The great places that I remember have been gone for years.
ReplyDeleteThat's a later picture [1960?] of the Gold Dome. They were very good. They also had a BBQue. On the east side of the bldg they had an enclosed cooker that had, as I remember, a pig turning on a spit. There was a much larger dome that did look a little like the capitol. In my time I don't remember slaw until later. What you got was sauce, or chili sauce. A lot of places just used the commercial sauce in bottles bu the truly memorable hot dogs had a secret recipe sauce. There was also mustard and onion. A hot dog that still dwells in my mind was made at a little lunch counter on Elizabeth st in what is now a portion of the Red Carpet. It was only there in 1944 and 45. The great places that I remember have been gone for years.
ReplyDeleteAs an East End boy who grew up in the shadows of the "other" dome, this photo brings back fond memories.
ReplyDeleteWe used to also get wonderful hot dogs from a place called The Regent. My dad would have to go pick them up because it was a "beer joint".
It was where the The Empty Glass is currently located, on Elizabeth Street.
Many thanks!
The Garden of Eden tavern on the corner of East Washington St. and Ruffner Ave. Made some great hotdogs. A lady named Rose who worked there for years, made the best hotdog chili I've ever tasted. Then there was Carl's 10 for a dollar dogs located up on US 60 near Ceader Grove. Then there was the Clendenin Dairy Queen. We not only lived in Almost Heaven, but we lived in Hotdog Heaven too. "10 for a Dollar" it was the American dream.(for a while)
ReplyDeleteJoBo
As a young boy born and raised in Kanawha city I can tell you it was treat to travel out and over the bridge to the Gold Dome drive inn for our Friday night meal. I still remember my dad rollling the window part way down so the servers tray could rest on it. Such wonderful memories munching down hotdogs on a warm summer night and watching piggies run around the bottom of the dome.
ReplyDeleteBack in the 50's my dad & I would go to Charleston most every Saturday. We lived in Belle & on the way home we would stop at the Gold Dome for hot dogs & bottle of coke.10 cents for a bottle. 13 hot dogs with chili & sla & onions of course. We ate what we could hold then take the rest home. All were wrapped individually, hot & messy but so good. Those days were the best!
ReplyDelete