Owner of Herb's Great American Hot Dogs dies in Chesapeake

CHESAPEAKE 

Herb Poindexter Jr., owner of Herb’s Great American Hot Dogs in Great Bridge, died Sunday at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. He was 72.

Poindexter was remembered Sunday for his generosity, good nature and public service.

“He was a prince of a person,” said Durwood Curling, a former Chesapeake city manager. “He was a substantial citizen of this community who made a great contribution.”

Herbert F. Poindexter Jr. was born March 7, 1936, in Seneca. Upon graduation from high school, he moved to South Norfolk to continue his career as a telegraph operator at Virginian Railway. He later became a real estate and insurance agent before opening the restaurant that is now considered a Great Bridge institution, known for its hot dogs and chili.

He said in a 2005 interview that he grew tired of the paperwork.

“Now it’s like one big party,” Poindexter said of his life as a restaurant owner. “All my friends come in. Then we clean up and go home.”

Herb’s is one of Chesapeake’s most popular lunch eateries. 

On any given lunch hour, the hot dog counter, tucked away in a strip mall off South Battlefield Boulevard, could be lined with everyone from Chesapeake’s blue-collar workers to the city’s highest elected officials.

“You would see everything in there from three-piece suits to jeans to Bermuda shorts,” Curling said.

Burnie Mansfield makes the drive from South Norfolk to Great Bridge every Tuesday and Thursday for lunch.

“I always kidded him that I spent $4 on gas there and $4 on gas back … all for a 50-cent hot dog,” he said.

The standard order for a Herb’s dog is “all the way” with mustard, onions and homemade chili.

Herb’s is also known for its homemade soups and banana pudding. Two dogs, a bowl of soup, and cup of banana pudding could still put your bill around $10. The restaurant also opens Thursday evenings to serve crab cakes and some of the best she-crab soup in town.

Herb frequently sat quietly at the hot dog counter. He knew most people and most people knew him.

“Anybody who lived in Great Bridge knew him,” said Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff. “It was a good place to sit and hear what’s going on.”

Beyond the restaurant, Poindexter will be remembered for his life helping others.

He was a member of Great Bridge Presbyterian Church, the Masonic Lodge, Order of Railroad Telegraphers and Isaak Walton League and was an avid contributor to youth activities. He was past president of the South Norfolk Jaycees, Lions Club and the Hickory Ruritan Club.

“He was outstanding just by how nice he was,” Mansfield said.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie T. Poindexter, of Chesapeake; four children and their mother, Maxine M. Poindexter; two stepchildren, a brother, sister and several grandchildren.

“A lot of people are hurting,” Curling said. “We cried this morning at church. … We’re going to miss him.”

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Great Bridge Presbyterian Church.

Viewing will begin Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Great Bridge Chapel of Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, 653 Cedar Road, Chesapeake.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

There is an online guest book available at www.omanfh.com.