By Crawford Craig

One might say hot dogs run through the veins of Joey’s Hot Dogs’ owner, Joey Mirabile, whose parents taught him the insider secrets to building an enduring business in the hot dog world. 

According to family lore shared on Joey’s Hot Dogs website, Joey’s own father, Tony, was known as the “Hot Dog Boy of City Hall Avenue” in Norfolk, Virginia, during the Great Depression. Tony first introduced his family to the humble hot dog business during the 1930s, a time when the inexpensive frankfurter could quickly fill the belly of hungry folks on a fixed income. Meanwhile, Joey’s mother, Geri, had learned to make the best “Cherry Smash” fountain drink while working the lunch counter at the local People’s Drug Store. Combining their culinary talents, Geri and Tony opened Tony’s Hot Dogs in Norfolk in 1962 and raised their three sons there, including Joey, who was born in 1963. 

Joey grew up learning from his parents’ hot dog expertise, such as how to perfect their famous dogs with just mustard, onions, and homemade chili. With a family history steeped in the hot dog industry, Joey opened his first Joey’s Hot Dogs in 2007 in the Eagles Shopping Center at the intersections of Pump Road and Ridgefield Parkway in Henrico County. Several years later, Joey relocated Joey’s Hot Dogs to its current location at 4028 Cox Road at The Shoppes at Innsbrook, at the corner of West Broad Street and Cox. 

As soon as you approach the doors of Joey’s Hot Dogs, you’re greeted with signs advertising the hot dogs, daily specials, and ice cream floats that await you inside. Once inside, you immediately smell the sweet, salty marriage of cooking hot dogs and the smoky, warm delight of chili simmering. Joey’s Hot Dogs is an inviting space with a red, yellow, and white color scheme reminiscent of an old-fashioned soda counter. Black and white checkered floors offer yet another nod to days past. 

Wooden tables and chairs neatly dot the one-room restaurant, with its open kitchen, service area, and counter lining one side of the space. Swivel stools scoot beneath the counter, where diners can enjoy their meal and get an up-close view of hot dog preparations and even dishwashing, offering an intimate atmosphere. 

With Peppermint Patties and homemade cookies for sale, and a tip jar stuffed full of dollar bills, the counter at the cash register echoes the early days of a mid-20th-century soda shop. White tiled walls fill most of the kitchen and service area, while red accent walls adorned with televisions only add to the casual energy of Joey’s Hot Dogs. Sports pennants pepper the windows and walls, and a brightly-lettered sign hangs above the counter, bearing the message: “Thank you for your patronage… It’s appreciated.” 

Conversations and pleasantries fill Joey’s Hot Dogs, especially between patrons and employees conversing at the counter. When my father and I visited most recently, Joey’s son, Joey, Jr., was behind the counter, eager to chat and welcome us. Joey, Jr. shared some of his family’s history with us, excited to boast of their impressive 86 years of service in the hot dog industry. Joey’s Hot Dogs is proud to serve ingredients original to those used throughout the Mirabile family history, especially the same homemade chili recipe that Joey’s grandparents served in Tidewater, Virginia over 80 years ago.

On my visit, I ordered two dogs, one with just ketchup, and the other fan-favorite, “All the Way,” with mustard, onions, and Joey’s homemade chili. My father, Stan Craig, who never turns down an invitation to visit Joey’s, ordered another popular menu item, the “Mess ‘em Up,” with cheese, ketchup, and sauerkraut—honoring Joey’s mother Geri, who served kraut at the restaurant she eventually ran on her own. My older brother, Stan, Jr., is away at college but always orders the same Joey’s meal when he’s home. He shared, “I like my hot dog with ketchup, milk, and chips.”

My hot dogs were nestled in the traditional white bread hot dog bun, softened and warmed to just the right temperature. The dog—a blend of pork, beef, and spices—had the perfect hot dog “snap.” And the toppings, whether simple ketchup, mustard, and onions, or the more complex chili and sauerkraut, joined forces to create the perfect, flavor-packed bite. If you’re a vegetarian, Joey has you covered, offering a veggie hot dog with all the condiments (except the beef chili).  

I’m a traditionalist, enjoying just the hot dogs and a lemonade when I visit Joey’s Hot Dogs. But if you’re in the mood to jazz up your meal, Joey’s offers a variety of housemade sides, such as potato salad, macaroni salad, and Italian pasta. Or perhaps you fancy some salty treats on the side. If so, Joey offers Lay’s Chips and popcorn.

Pleasing both Coke and Pepsi fans, you’ll find Coke products by fountain, can, and bottle, and Pepsi products by the can and bottle. To top off the perfect Joey’s Hot Dogs visit, I encourage you to indulge in an old-fashioned ice cream float or one of the homemade sweet treats available at the checkout counter, like brownies and chocolate chip cookies. 

There’s no doubt that Joey’s is a Richmond favorite, with stories of loyal customers and more than 1,7000 Facebook fans sending endless “thumbs up” and “hearts” to the restaurant’s endearing social media posts, featuring families, friends, and even Santa and Mrs. Claus enjoying hot dogs last December. Joey’s Hot Dogs has also caught the attention of local journalists, recently being named by RicToday as one of the best spots in Richmond to find a great hot dog. An archive of news articles and media celebrating Joey’s Hot Dogs’ enduring spirit can be found on their website.

Joey’s Hot Dogs is not only about delicious food. For my family, Joey’s is about traditions and connections. My father has taken my brother and me to Joey’s Hot Dogs since I was a toddler. My father shared, “I’ve been taking my boys to Joey‘s since they could eat hot dogs. It’s been a great spot for us three boys to go get a meal alone or with friends. The owner and his son always remember us and make us feel welcome.” My brother Stan added, “I like how Joey’s Hot Dogs feels like a family establishment, and it feels like it’s a local place, with history that’s trying to serve its community.”

Most notably, “The Hot Dog Store”—as I used to call it—became a Saturday afternoon lunch ritual. After morning soccer, football, or lacrosse, we’d bid farewell to Mom and head with Dad to Joey’s Hot Dogs to meet up with our West End friends, the Barbiers. Two dads and five kids would descend upon Joey’s, bringing with us our chaos, but Joey’s Hot Dogs always served the perfect remedy for little kids’ crankiness and hunger: yummy hot dogs made to order, salty side snacks, lemonades, and cookies for dessert.

No matter how you enjoy your dog, you’ll find a second home at Joey’s Hot Dogs. It’s where excellent hot dogs meet lasting memories, and every visit feels like you’re returning to something warm and familiar.  

All photos by Crawford Craig.