©
By Phyllis Johnson
Remember homemade pineapple upside down cake? The kind your grandma used to make? If you go to Ray's Dog House on the right day, you can be treated to such a delight.
I dropped in one night when employee Phyllis Peroni had baked one of those delicious cakes and I loved it. It's one of a number of desserts cooked fresh daily at the eatery.
The variety of three-layer cakes with homemade icing are popular too. I've also had the pleasure of eating their banana cake. It was deliciously moist and the icing was rich and creamy.
Along with these made-from-scratch baked goods, you can also buy cakes by Rowena in the gift section. These are pound cakes that can be complemented with Rowena's carrot jam, raspberry curd or lemon curd toppings. You can also get sugar-free cakes.
Further checking out the gift selections, I couldn't overlook their vast Plantation peanut choices, in all sizes and varieties.
"We're getting gift packs in for Christmas," co-owner Cindy Carson said as she turned to prepare hot dogs for customers.
While the shop is called a dog house, offerings include North Carolina barbecue, Boar's Head deli meat, Smithfield ham, grilled cheese, roast beef and more. I ordered a barbecue sandwich and enjoyed the texture and taste. Promising quality food and good service for almost 13 years, the Carsons have a stable clientele.
"Our customers are seventy-five percent repeat local patrons," co-owner Ray Carson said. "Lots of seniors come in for hot dogs, soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Some folks order barbecue and deli trays for tailgating. Those are really popular during football season."
"People love our ham biscuits and deli trays to go," Cindy said.
When I visited to pick up some barbecue sandwiches, employee Susan Askew talked about how the locals have them hopping. She pointed to the KDX Dance Explosion studio nearby. "They really keep us busy."
Tiffany Hill spoke to me as she served food to Dorothea Jones and her children, Samuel and Makayla.
"I always order the barbecue," Dorothea said. Samuel preferred a hot dog and Makayla wanted grilled cheese.
"Our best seller is the Coney Island pork and beef hot dog," Ray said. "The all-beef Coney Island hot dog is No. 2."
Phyllis Johnson, pjcolumnist@aol.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Good BBQ
Wood Chicks in Chesapeake is in my opinion the best BBQ in the area. I heard about them when they were featured on Food Networks "Throwdown with Bobby Flay". They have won numerous awards as well. Enjoy!
okay...
Tell me... Who's got the best hot dog or BBQ in town???
Any local places out there of a Food Network or Travel Channel quality???
Ray's Dog House
Well, I have been there,and the chili is homemade. Everyone who works there is good folks, down to earth, just like a small town where everyone knows one another. At one time or another,I have tried just about everything on the menu,and found it too be really good. For a mom and pop operation, they do a robust business especially at lunch time. At lot of old timers are there most every day, so beside good food,there is good fellowship. The prices are fair and competitive,when you consider the fast food joints down the street. Mr. & Mrs Carson, the owners, are friendly and easy to talk too. The dogs and sandwiches are very good. I still go there,and would recommend it to anyone who wants good food and to make new friends.
While Ray's Hotdogs
may be on Portsmouth Blvd., it is NOT in Western Branch, it's in Portsmouth. My favorite is their hot sausage, all the way please. Yum...
Good food!!!....
...provided by friendly folks!!!!
How about the hot dogs?
Why on Earth would you publish a review of a hot dog restaurant with almost no mention of the hot dogs? This review spends nearly every word on cookies and cakes. Who cares about Rowena's at a hot dog joint. How about whether or not the chili is homemade and what kind of other toppings are available.