Raleigh, N.C. — It's hard to imagine a time before Snoopy's Hot Dogs & More sat on the corner of Wake Forest Road and Whitaker Mill, but prior to 1978, a gas station stood on that corner.
Over 40 years later, Raleighites can visit Snoopy's and eat the exact same hot dog their parents – or even grandparents – once ate. In a city that's experienced major growth over the past several decades, the enduring flavor still stands, connecting Raleighites with a simpler time.
That's probably why Snoopy's was voted the 2019 WRAL Voters' Choice Award winner for best hot dogs.
Steve Webb, the founder of Snoopy's, grew up in Raleigh. According to his business partner Larry Cerilli and his wife, Sarah Webb, who keep his legend alive, Webb's connection with Raleigh helped him understand what locals wanted.
"He never skimped on cheaper products; he always went with what people loved. Heinz ketchup, Duke's mayonnaise, French's mustard – even the meat and chili itself are the exact same as the day he opened 42 years ago," said Cerilli.
The secret: He kept it simple and consistent.
Even as Raleigh grows and changes, a meal and memory made at Snoopy's remains the same – recognizable across generations.
Transforming a gas station into a Raleigh icon
With the help of some friends, Webb converted a gas station into the first ever Snoopy's Hot Dogs.
Sadly, Webb passed away almost a year ago. However, his wife Sarah collected a lifetime of memories in photographs and journal entries from Webb.
In one entry, Webb wrote, "How time flies! I guess Snoopy's was a good idea."
As a teenager, he worked for his uncle's drive-in grill in Sanford, hand-cutting crinkle-cut fries and making hot dogs and cheeseburgers with mustard, onion, and later chili.
"When I opened Snoopy's on Wake Forest Road in 1978, I offered the hot dog and cheeseburger that I had loved. Evidently, a lot of other people loved them, too," wrote Webb.
Webb recalled meeting his wife Sarah during his first year of managing Snoopy's. "I really believe that she married me for my cheeseburger," he wrote. She left her teaching career and began an exciting adventure with her new husband.
Opening day: Where did the name Snoopy's come from?
According to Snoopy's legend, there are two versions of the name's origin.
"One is that Webb was always snooping around and got the nickname 'Snoopy,'" said Cerilli. "He also thought that the name Snoopy reminds everyone of a 'friendly dog.'"
Webb wrote, "I can still vividly remember Snoopy’s on opening day at Wake Forest Road on a sunny Saturday morning in September of 1978."
After four decades of success, it may be surprising to discover that the first day was full of panic and emergencies.
"The only hot dog steamer would not get hot," wrote Webb. "This required a mad rush to the hardware store at Five Points to buy the expensive used steamer for sale there."
As soon as the 'Open Sign' flicked on, the customers lined up to the street. "We stayed at a frantic pace, but managed to move the line, even though it was a scramble," wrote Webb.
But then at 2 p.m., half of his crew had to leave for the day, and the line was still long.
Webb knew the worst thing he could do was offer poor service on the first day – so with an unending line and half his crew gone, he made a bold and unexpected decision.
"I hate to confess that I lied myself out of a dilemma, but that’s just what I did," wrote Webb.
He went outside and told the customers that they had run out of hot dogs.
"Then I took down the open sign and hid," he wrote.
After taking a day to regroup, they opened again on Monday, and have "been blessed that since that first day that the customers continue to line up at Snoopy’s."
The memorable billboards behind Snoopy's
Webb's personality, as much as the flavor, made the company more than just a business – it's part of the city's culture.
Many locals remember the enormous billboards that once overlooked the original Snoopy's. Changes at City Council forced the removal of many similar signs, and Webb to take the billboards down. A newspaper clipping shows a photo of Webb standing at the City Council meeting, holding up a sign that reads: Pure Baloney.
Businesses along Downtown Boulevard were also heavily impacted by the changes in policy. Some of them had used large signs as part of their businesses since 1923.
Webb never ceased to speak up for business owners. He did more than sell hot dogs; he tried to make an impact in Raleigh.
"He was known for freely giving out his opinions on politics and current events, and used the marque sign extensively for this – as well as for promoting our specials," said Webb's wife Sarah. "He especially liked to play on words and post humorous thoughts."
Webb's desire to interact with the Raleigh community further engrained Snoopy's in our culture. His funny signs and quirky, personable nature became as memorable as the hot dogs.
"Everybody loves Snoopy's!"
So many people have memories of eating a Snoopy's hot dog after Little League, sitting outside at Snoopy's on a Sunday afternoon, or pulling into the parking lot at 2 a.m. after a long night when Snoopy's is one of the only businesses still open.
"Like watching Happy Days or the Andy Griffith Show, an outing to Snoopy's just reminds people of a simpler time," said Cerilli. "My favorite thing is seeing two little kids sitting on the tailgate with their mom or dad. Then they'll grow up and share these memories with their own kids."
As the city grows and changes, Raleighites can count on at least one thing to remain constant – the flavor of nostalgia.
"Like an old song, the simple taste of a hot dog just takes people back," said Cerilli.
Snoopy's will have a chance to compete again for the best hot dog award when the WRAL Voters' Choice Awards open up nominations for this year on Sept. 14.
September 04, 2020 at 03:51AM
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How Snoopy's Hot Dogs transformed a gas station into a Raleigh icon - WRAL.com
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