Zack’s Hotdogs is a local restaurant in Burlington, North Carolina. It was opened by Zack Touloupas in 1928 with its original name of Alamance Hot Wienie Lunch [1]. The restaurant has become an institute to the people in Burlington. The menu began as a blue plate special, but over the years has been changed to focus on hotdogs and hamburgers [1]. The menu has also been expanded to breakfast, lunch and dinner. Zack’s used to be open seven days a week [2], but is now closed on Sundays [1].
History
editBurlington has been known for restaurants opened and owned by Greek immigrants. These restaurants include Gus’s Drive In opened by Zack Touloupas’ nephew, Gus Kakavas 2, Stavros Grill opened by Nick Zangotsis 3 and Café Nicola opened by Terry Bakatsias 3
Zack Touloupas was born in the northern mountains of Greece in a village called Karpenisi [1]. He came to America in 1919 and settled in Columbia, South Carolina [1]. He began working at the Capital Cafe, where he heard of a restaurant for sale in Burlington [1]. When he arrived in Burlington with his family of four in 1928, he bought and opened Alamance Hot Wienie Lunch.
Alamance Hot Wienie Lunch contained only eight bar stools and four school desks for tables [1]. The seating capacity remained the same until 1960. The original menu was considered a blue plate special and served beef stew, pork chops and hotdogs and hamburgers. The average meal was a meat and two vegetables. Zack Touloupas’ quote was, “If it tastes good to me, it tastes to someone else.” [1]