They call us franken-steins, weener-meisters, dawg-men. We are lovers of all things hotdogs. We would rather eat a chili dog loaded with mustard, slaw and onions than a Cowboy Ribeye at a Chicago steak house. And our hotdog Mecca is at milepost 4.5 in Kitty Hawk, just north of Nags Head. It’s Capt’n Franks.
Capt’n Franks has been on the beach road since Nags Head was a baby. They have been serving up hotdog experiences to an adoring clientele since 1975. And they seem to get a little better each year.
Capt’n Frank and crew make their own chili. It’s their original recipe, all beef, no beans, and it’s amazing and you can order most any condiment imaginable to put on your dog. They have big dogs, little dogs, foot-long dogs and super-sized dogs and they are all good. Eating a pair of all-the-way franks on a picnic table outside along with a hot order of fries and a cold beer is about as close to heaven as you’ll get this side of the pearly gates.
There are other places to get and enjoy a hotdog, but none better than Capt’n Franks.
If you’re at the Outer Banks, don’t wait until Sunday because they close that day. And don’t come at dinner time. They batten down the hatches at exactly 3 pm each day.
Never, ever miss a chance to eat a Capt’n Frank hotdog when you go to the beach.