After several months of the COVID pandemic, we ventured out. From Lansing Michigan on a road trip to the Outer Banks and Williamsburg, Virginia. We never drive. We always fly when heading to these favorite vacation spots of ours. With the pandemic dragging on, no real deadlines in our lives, we decided to hit the road, taking our time to get there. I am so glad we decided to take a driving break around Wytheville. As we drove up Main Street, a giant mural on the side of a building screamed for our attention: we’d found, by happy accident, Skeeter’s.
Skeeter’s World Famous Hot Dogs
From the old-fashioned Coke refrigerator to the vinyl-topped counter stools, this place exuded classic Americana. Turns out it wasn’t a façade. This place was legit, founded in 1925 as a store with a hot dog counter then moved to this location in the 1940’s. The first location was also on Main Street and I got the vibe that it was a staple for the locals.
The teens working there were sweet and the service excellent. We ordered, all masked up, inside and they brought our dogs out front of the building to us where we parked it at a table to enjoy a taste of history. Just walking in the door is like stepping back in time.
Although they’re no longer a nickel, all the dogs are extremely affordable, under $3. You can add-on items for a charge of course but they’ve come up with a lot of great ideas, so you don’t have to “build your own.” I went with the Slawdog. Topped with chili, mustard, and onion, in addition to a creamy and super-chopped slaw, I loved every single bite. Side note: the onion is actually chopped Vidalia. So brilliantly delicious on this dog.
Other “skeeterdog” options included a Michigan dog, but I sadly had to share with them that Michigan’s classic and traditional Coney sauce doesn’t have beans. Not sure they’ll take my word for it and make the update to the menu, but I tried! I’m sure their version has a fan base, so I won’t be hurt if they keep it as-is. In all honestly, they say it’s all house-made and I believe it. The chili sauce and slaw are simple and spectacular. You can even get a bowl of the chili sans dog “seasonally.”
If you want or need gluten-free, Skeeter’s has you covered. They offer a gluten-free option. If you prefer an all-beef dog, you can upgrade. If you want extra anything, order it up! One dog each really was enough because we were doing a quick stop but honestly, if you’re hungry grab a couple.
The menu expands beyond hot dogs, but why? I guess if you’re with someone that really doesn’t do hot dogs, at least they have other options including everything from a B.L.T. to a home-made chicken salad sandwich. And of course, there are fries. And absolutely you can top those with their delicious chili sauce!
Being in Virginia, sweet tea is definitely on the menu along with all the fountain sodas. Surprisingly, I even noticed chocolate milk on the menu.
Before you over-order on your meal, double check what the dessert options are. There could be cake or pie you might want to leave room for. But then again, they could package dessert up, right?
Wytheville’s Main Street is really cute. I know that sounds cheesy but it’s heartfelt. Non-pandemic we could’ve visited former first lady Edith Bolling Wilson’s birthplace and museum, and we totally would have. Just reading the signs in town and having been to her husband’s presidential Library and Museum in Staunton Virginia a few years back, I truly believed I was missing out a good bit of history with it being closed. Next time! And if we stop there overnight as part of the drive east (or back west) the Bolling Wilson Hotel is on our shortlist for a stay.
 | 165 E. Main St. Wytheville VA 24382 us |
 | http://www.skeetershotdogs.com/ |
 | 1-276-228-2611 |
Google Reviews
[wp-review-google-place-reviews place_id = “ChIJu_jDk_DhUYgRe0EOAUw-ik4”]
Yelp Reviews
[wp-review-yelp-business-reviews id=”skeeters-umberger-e-n-store-wytheville” title=”Skeeter’s” review_num=”3″]
