Occasionally visitors to the southwest Virginia region will see a local vehicle driving around with a bright red bumper sticker that proudly reads “Got Dip Dogs?”

You can’t be here for too long and not see one. In fact, the inquisitive bumper sticker has been spotted as far away as China. (Yes, China.) So I decided to find out for myself, what this famous food phenomenon really is.

It’s tucked away off Route 11, which at one time used to be the main thoroughfare, until
I-81 came through. Now not much is out there, but folks still know how to find the Dip Dog stand. The big ice cream cone sign out front is also a big giveaway that you’ve arrived.

Their menu is full of the expected cheeseburger, fries and ice cream fare, and the smell from the kitchen is delicious. Not to mention you can find an oyster dinner here too.

I toted my Dip Dog and fries in the small paper bag to a table under the outdoor patio. There hung pictures of ‘celebrities’ enjoying their favorite Dip Dog treat: Survivor’s Big Tom, a local television station, and even a snapshot of ZZ Top with an autographed bumper sticker to boot.

This is no typical hot dog, or corn dog, either. It’s a red hot dog, dipped in a special batter (a well-kept secret that the owners swear you wouldn’t be able to duplicate at home) and deep-fried to a crisp. Slathered in mustard. Hot, light, and crunchy. All for a very affordable buck and change. You can easily eat more than one of these.

According to owner Pam Hall, over 500,000 Dip Dogs are sold every year, and the restaurant goes through 500 lbs of onions for their special batter onion rings every week. And for the diabetic, ‘Spunk and Pam’s Backyard Batch’ is their special BBQ sauce – a low-carb, low sugar recipe for diabetics. You can purchase a bottle right at the stand.

Last year they celebrated a 50th year anniversary of the Dip Dog stand. They participated in the local Apple Festival, car shows, and gospel bluegrass concerts. Also known in many national publications such as Southern Living Magazine, and they’ve been in featured in several documentaries.

She also told me that of the ‘celebrities’ that have passed through: “One time Aerosmith pulled up and their driver came in to get their order.” “We’ve had Big Tom (Survivor/CBS), he’ll autograph the kids’ hats for me.”

There’s even a truck driver who drives about 800 miles who will stop by for a Dip Dog. “He’ll come by and see if he can get his tractor trailer on the lot.” tells Pam. “We’ve told him he could park up the road – and it wasn’t 15 minutes, and he was here.” People from all over the U.S. have gone out of their way to experience the Dip Dog, and take a piece of southwest Virginia home with them.

And that bright red bumper sticker? It’s going on my car, too.

Located:
2035 Lee Hwy
Marion, VA

Hours of Operation:
9 a.m.- 10 p.m. Mon - Sun

Closed:
Easter, Memorial Day, Week of 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years

Phone: 276-783-2698
www.dipdogs.net