CLAYTON, N.C. — At the corner of State Highway 42 and Buffalo Road in Clayton, many people have been lining up to get their hands on red hot dogs at The Grocery Bag for nearly 50 years.

The town lunchtime favorite has become the staple of the community. For the last 11 years, Hayley Hodge has served hot dogs at the restaurant previously owned by her uncle, Tommy Fitzgerald.

On December 9, Hayley’s uncle Tommy died of a heart attack on a Sunday night.

“We really don’t take anything for granted and we know that even more now since December. You don’t take any day for granted and any minute for granted,” his wife Donna Fitzgerald says. 

In honor of the business Tommy established in 1972, and the life they created from it, Donna continues to make sure bellies get full in her husband’s honor.  

“This was his pride and joy. Obviously, this is our pride and joy,” Donna explains. 

The crowd pleaser, the “Almost Famous Hot Dog,” is a savory red dog covered in steaming hot chili, mustard, coleslaw, and onions. Hodge says it’s prepared with a whole lot of Southern kindness.

Donna says she worked alongside her recently deceased husband for close to 30 years. Their hot dog station has been located inside the Percy Flowers store since 1983.

“More than anything we are so blessed to have been on this corner for so many years,” Donna explains. “This community is just incredible. I couldn’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else than right here.”

With more than 7 million hot dogs sold, Hayley hopes their savory reputation can be enough to keep drawing in empty stomachs during lunchtime in this part of Johnston County.

The Grocery Bag is located at 4879 NC-42 in Clayton and is open daily. 

The Almost Famous Hot Dog

  • Take a pack of hot dog buns and put them inside a hamburger steamer.

  • Place the Brightleaf “Red Hots” wieners into the same steamer.

  • Put chili into a crockpot and heat them up to a slow boil.

  • Keep condiments, like ketchup and mustard, nearby in a refrigerator.

  • Dice up onions to sprinkle onto the hot dog.

  • Pick up some coleslaw from Holt Lake BBQ down HWY 301 in Smithfield.

  • When the customer asks for the Almost Famous Hot dog, scatter, smother, and cover it with all the fixings.