On the way home from Norfolk today, driving along the Princess Anne Road route, my vehicle made a quick U Turn when we remembered that Lew's Hot Dogs was closing permanently on October 31st. It's one of the few old school Hot Dog Shops that still feature the iconic Norfolk Dog. The spot closes at 3pm each day. There was plenty of time to stop. The location is on Azalea Garden Road about 2 blocks north of Princess Anne Road. Don't expect a picturesque spot. This building is located in the midst of warehouses, car repair shops & such. Lew's was obviously packed with people wanting those few last days of the wonderful Norfolk Dogs. Parking was around the front & side of the shop & on the street. Even the "no parking" area was filled. We stepped directly into an earlier time. And I loved it. Seating was mainly around the counter. I would have loved to have eaten there. But we had just had donuts in Ghent. So we ordered at the cramped takeout counter, The cook, who I suspect was the owner's wife, cooked on a small grill near the front window. A young man took the orders, writing each takeout order on a paper bag for the cook. The proprietor busily did everything. He was personable & funny. He had his rules, just like his long gone competitors, We sat at the counter and talked to a customer who had driven down from Arlington. He obviously knew the place well as the owner bantered with him. When our order was ready we left, a little sad that we couldn't stay and eat. It had been so much fun. The Norfolk Dogs were wonderful. They're snap dogs, customarily served only with mustard, chili & onions. Lew's did allow other condiments added, even serving French fries. You could get thrown out of some of his former competitors for asking for catsup or potato chips. There must be a return before they close. I want to sit and eat at the counter. I want to come out with that familiar smell of onions in my hair. By the way, they're still open to selling the shop. It comes with the secret recipe for their chili sauce. Norfolk Dog lovers need this eatery to remain open. Don't let them be lost to time. read more

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Another piece of Norfolks history is set to close at the end of October. Lew's Hot Dogs has been around as long as I can remember and its closing makes me feel like I'm losing an old Friend. On the way home from the Yelp Event at O's Donuts, I remembered Lew's was closing this weekend. Luckily Lew's was right on our way home so we decided to stop and get orders to go. We walked in to a packed house and lots of others placing orders to go. Cash only signs were posted in several places so I was prepared when it was my turn to order and pay. Everyone was friendly and greeted each other and engaged in conversation. I felt like I had stepped back in time to a kinder, gentler place. I'm very sad that we are losing another piece of Norfolk history. The hotdogs were just as good as I remembered, as well as their French fries. One thing that caught my attention as we waited was the stools at the counter. This old Norfolk girl immediately said to my Friend, "these aren't stools, they are chairs with backs on them just like the lunch counters in Peoples Drug Store and Woolworth's when I was a kid." Loved this little walk down memory lane today. Happy retirement Lew, You will be missed. read more

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Definitely under new management I ordered a hotdog beef all the way and a beef sausage bread is soggy never ever ever ever had a hotdog that I need to fork and spoon Cutty pack with it ! Light on the onions and chili lacks taste ! Basically tasting like boiled ground meat !!! read more

Lew's Hot Dogs - Soggy sausage - Hot Dogs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

They hit all 3 Great Service, Great Food, & Great Understanding when the customer forgets. :)

Small hole-in-the-wall Hot dog place. Food was great. Has that nostalgic feeling. Cheap too. Service was fine. Would go back again. read more

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Great local place with super polite employees. Food is on point. Closest thing to the other, old hot dog place that is no longer around. Great to see they still have the old pictures on the wall. Cash only.... Just so you know. read more

Lew's Hot Dogs - Two Norfolk Dogs with chili, mustard and onion with side of fries and drink. YUMMY! - Hot Dogs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

About a 1-1.5: Lew's Hot Dogs is a small hot dog eatery that serves up a modest menu of the Norfolk Dog, Beef Dog, NY HOt Sausage, Carolina BBQ, Freed Fries, your choice of toppings (mustard, onion, homemade chili, relish, cole slaw, and/or sauerkraut), and fountain beverages. We stopped by to do a carryout of the Beef Dog (topped with chili, cheese, and onions) and the NY Hot Sausage (with mustard and onions). Both dogs were just okay - they were not inedible, but they weren't the best either. The place seems like a local spot, especially for the older folks in the area. There were counter seating and some tables inside. Note that this place is cash only. Plenty of parking in the front in their small lot. +forgettable dogs +cash only +small lot in front for your vehicle read more

Tried you hot dogs when you opened but they were not the same. They don't seem to be cooked enough and the chili is to spicey

The best Norfolk chili hotdogs. Always look forward to getting there hotdogs. it was always a treat.

Cute, quaint little restaurant. I always order to go but I get the hot sausage "all the way" with fries and it is absolutely delicious! If you're in Norfolk I definitely recommend. It's good and affordable but don't forget to bring CASH! That's their only form of payment. read more

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*** Cash only business!! My first experience with Lew's was after Tony's in Virginia Beach closed down. Every week I would make the trip to get my fix and now Lew's has easily taken their place. Lew's offers an old fashioned style "snap" hot dog with a homemade slightly spicy chili that keeps you coming back for more. An "all the way" Norfolk dog is the staple, but the Freedom Fries are truly some of the best in the area. Truly a beautiful local business that you won't regret adding to your rotation. Please stop in and meet these wonderful people- they make you feel right at home! read more

Lew's Hot Dogs - Two Norfolk Dogs "all the way" (mustard, onion and chili) 1 NY Hot Sausage "all the way" - Hot Dogs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Nothing like a good ole honest appeal to a Mom-and-Pops establishment! Lew's Hot Dogs fits that characteristic. Not the most fancy looking place, but they make you feel like you're in your mothers kitchen. Love that they take pride in their product and make it while you wait. I had to two beef hotdogs all the way, that was chili onions and I believe cheese. Topped it off with some fresh crinkle fries and an ice cold coke or Pepsi and all at a reasonable price. I sat in my car and ate like a king and didn't have to spend a lot of money to do so. Definitely will be back! read more

Open during covid, regular hours. Bring cash!! Lew's is amazing I went for the first time today and was so thankful, they are offering takeout due to restrictions as of today 01.09.21. The hot dogs were amazing, very snappy! make sure you get one all the way. The fries were the best fries I've had since I've moved here. I will for sure be a return customer!! read more

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Classic Norfolk "snap" hot dogs! Wonderful! Just like Tony's and Bacalis. Great chili!

You like dags? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a_ATxfEuLU Who says Hot Dogs are just lips & a$$holes? Not Lew! His dags got the snap and his home made chili is the perfect topping. Go there and get lost in his 90's inspired nostalgia. Honestly the place has not changed a bit since he opened his doors in that same era. For example, you have the wall of fame made of mesh hats and the plethora of Nascar memorabilia that would make your drunk uncle pitch a tent. You also have pictures of country star legends mounted to the wall in what look like your grandmother's picture albums... Johnny Cash has never looked so cool in an oval silhouette! Either way, the food is solid, the Americana is in full affect and well Lew is "just a good ole' boy" at the ripe age of at least 70. read more

For over 20 years, I have been eating chili dogs here. My dad introduced this place to me when I was 5. At the time, it was the only way I would ever eat mustard. Since then, I have loved these hot dogs. The chili is meaty, the dog is snappy, and it's always been consistently delicious. Lew's will definitely always have a place in my heart. read more

Lew's Hot Dogs - Hot Dogs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

This is my new favorite hotdog joint! The hotdogs are awesome! I got two chili mustard onion and coleslaw dogs, and I can't wait to come back! read more

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It is a small hole in the wall place. Reminds me of the greasy spoon restaurant back home. Best hotdog and fries that I have had in a long time. The chili was full of flavor. I got a hotdog and fries and was not hungry afterwards. It's a cash only place and the prices for what you get seem low. I get the feeling the people there are all repeat customers. If you aren't told about it you will never know what you are missing! read more

This is my first time in for lunch in a long time.I use to stop in at least once or twice a week for years but hate to admit I stop more often at a competitor(to be nameless).Having lunch today reminded me of when my dad would take me for lunch on sat. afternoon at Tony's on Lafayette blvd 45-50 years ago. Lew's is like the old dog house of years gone by simple,quick&good. Well worth stopping in for a dog ,fries & a soda. read more

Great food, great atmosphere, was awesome listening to my dad's old nostalgic stories about this place! Police memorabilia, and racing mementos. Keep it up Lew read more

Lew's Hot Dogs - Interior - Hot Dogs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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They made you feel welcome as soon as you walked in. Food was great, and your drink didn't run dry. Would recommend to anyone. It's old school just how I like it. read more

I've been coming to this place for nearly 20 years and I chose today to finally review the greatness that is Lew's. Place serves the best hot dogs in town, the tastiest New York sausage I've had outside of the city and a North Carolina style BBQ that kills. Homemade chili and golden fries has made this a twice a week stop for myself for many years. Bring cash and they are closed on Sunday read more

Tried this place for the first time today...my grand parents were regulars 30-40 years ago...I normally don't stray away from Tony's but I was getting them for someone else...I definitely got a "Christian...nascar..."good ol boys" vibe from this place...it's very small 3 tables on the floor and bar space for everyone else. Upon first bite I'm not sure if it's the chili or the onions but I got a slightly bitter flavor...not my norm but I kept eating...the snap of the dogs were good, the buns were steamed nicely but something was off with the chili/onions...maybe it was an off day...maybe slightly bitter thing is the norm here...the hot dogs weren't bad just not my steez .... read more

If all you want is a no frills no thrills hot dogs, then Lew's is the place for you. The place is quaint and small but the dogs are delicious. It has been a long time since I had a snappy skin dog and this place fits the bill. Will be returning here if I ever get a hot dog fix. read more

Simple, hearty fare. Prepared by the owner. Thanks Lew!!! I wish everyone would support locally owned small businesses.

A hot dog and North Carolina Barbecue place. Just decent good people family owned bring cash

Probably the best hotdogs I have ever had!!!! Better than any hotdog place you can imagine excising. I've been coming here since I was 16 and I'm 25 now. I remember coming in and Mr. Lew would be in his little corner cooking his hotdogs in the grill. He's sadly not with us anymore but his daughter has been keeping up this place and nothing has changed! Highly highly recommend this place. New York red hots are my absolute favorite with mustard and a coke. You can never go wrong! read more

Sometimes you just want a cheap no frills dog, and Lew's is where you get them. A hole in the wall with the food to match. Just order two dogs with chili, mustard, and onions, a thing of fries, and an orange soda, and you'll be set. You'll want the Hormel dogs because they're the best worst dog you can get. The snap is good, Lew steams his buns just right, and his chili is better than the stuff that comes out of a can, and mmm mmm two bites later, that dog went down good. I'm usually the kinda guy who likes to do one dog all the way, and one New York hot with mustard; alas, Lew has one of the worst hot sausages around. Really. Do not bother. Stick with the dogs. Plus, you'll be getting the fries on the side, and you get them in a cute little plastic bowl served with a fork. Oh, and they got the good ice too, for that orange soda. They're not good. They're not bad. I refer to them (oh so lovingly) as crappy Lew's, as in, "Hey man, I'm gonna run up to crappy Lew's and pick up a couple dogs." read more

Have been a long time regular at Lew's and hate to say this, but the place died the day Lew did. The man taking orders likes to talk more about sports and fishing then worrying about the well being of his customers. It takes an act of Congress to get a refill these days. He leaves something off the order 7/10 times. I can't count how many times I didn't get my fries. Safe to say that I've had my last hot dog from Lew's. read more

Friendly, folksy, second generation family owned spot. Cash only. The hot dog and the all-the-way BBQ sandwich were very good. I enjoyed talking with owner Bill, who is a fisher of men and fish. read more

BEST hotdogs around! And the waitress is AWESOME! Very friendly, family owned and operated.