CityView Magazine

42 July 2021 It's a Norman Rockwell painting come to life. ere was the time not too long ago when a family brought in their dad who was dying of cancer and among his last wishes was to have a picnic. Zoe Kalevas wasted no time. She picked up a table and chairs, moved it all outside under a shade tree, and she and her people got cooking to make his wish come true. (Zoe had lost her own mother, only 63, to cancer just months before Vick died, so the chance to help – and feed – others is magnified these days.) On a typical weekday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the kitchen will crank out an average of 300 regular hot dogs and 75 of the bacon-wrapped or "BLT" 'dogs, which were named among the top 20 hot dogs in North Carolina by "Our State" magazine for two consecutive years. About 150 burgers get consumed daily. Fountain drinks are the beverage of choice, along with super- thick vanilla, chocolate and strawberry milkshakes, the latter made with real fruit. e mostly open kitchen is a well- oiled machine with one person at the grill, another at the fryer, another at the sandwich unit, and two people up-front to take dine-in orders, work the register, the phone and to-go window (call ahead of time to order at 910-426-1300). Orders are handwritten "old school" on a paper pad, ripped off, and pushed down by clothespin on an industrial wire from the front of the house to the cooks. e team takes turns coming out with the orders on red plastic trays, belting out customers' numbers and orders. "is isn't even like work to me!" says Zoe, with boundless enthusiasm, aer delivering an order. "is is my playground!" e fun vibe extends to the background music – hits from the 1970s and '80s. Maybe that's another reason why people keep coming back for more. How can you be anything but happy when you're eating an awesome hot dog and listening to the theme song to "e Greatest American Hero"? Hot Diggidy Dog is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at 106 Roxie Ave. in Fayetteville. An average meal is $5 to $8. Call ahead for the pick-up window, 910-426-1300. Catering is available. Subscribe to CityView to join The CityView Heard and enjoy the benefits: d Free tickets to events d Exclusive parties d Offers d Extras d Discounts 12 ISSUES FOR $12! SUBSCRIBE TODAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN FREE TICKETS TO THESE UPCOMING EVENTS! Point your smart phone at this QR code and follow your phone prompts. Or subscribe by calling 910-423-6500 or online at www.cityviewnc.com/subscription Fayetteville Woodpeckers Home Games July 24th and 25th Cumulus Downtown Summer Nights Concert Series Starting July 22nd

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