All hot dogs are good, but really great hot dogs have great chili. The best hot dog chili I have ever had is made at Jim’s Drive-In in Lewisburg, WV. They have been making their chili from the same exact recipe for over 75 years. It’s so good, that I – among many – will drive 50 miles out of the way just to get a couple of Jim’s Drive-In Hot Dogs.
I have made homemade hot dog chili in the past, and it was pretty good, but last week as I was preparing for a scrumptious hot dog cook-out, I bought a package of Nathan’s Dogs (the best, I think) and saw a product called Pride of Virginia Hot Dog Chili. It was five bucks for a 12-ounce container, more than I was used to spending for store-bought chili, but I risked it.
Friends, this the best hot dog chili there is. It rivals that of Big Jim’s Hot Dog Chili. Sensational.
It turns out that Pride of Virginia is one of several labels from Gunnoe, the Virginia Sausage people out of Bedford. They make over 20 products, and the Pride of Virginia division is known for their Chili, Cole Slaw, and Yellow or Western Relish.
The chili is thin, not lumpy, and made of high-quality ground meat along with their special seasonings to include ketchup, tomato paste, vinegar, onions, onion powder, cayenne, chili powder and lots of other goodies. It is the best, bar none.
Pride of Virginia started on Wright Shop Road in Madison Heights, Virginia, in a small grocery store known as Eubank’s Grocery. Harry Eubank owned and operated the store and began making salads there. In the late 70’s his salads, chilies and soups were selling so fast health officials told Harry he would have to go under USDA regulations.
He did, and the rest is history.
If you love hot dogs as I do, pick up a package of Pride of Virginia Hot Dog Chili.
You won’t be disappointed.