When I was growing up, Martin’s Grill was less than three miles from my grandmother’s house. My cousins and I loved their footlong hotdogs. We ordered them “all the way” which meant they were loaded down with cole slaw, raw onion, and their homemade chili.

By the time I set out to create a chili for hamburgers and hot dogs, it had been at least three decades since I’d eaten at Martin’s Grill. In fact, I wasn’t even thinking about that little locally-owned diner until I took a taste test from the pot of chili I had simmering on the stove.

The moment that chili touched my lips I was transported in time and place. “Martin’s Grill!” I yelled to no one in particular. David had no idea what I was talking about so I texted my cousin who lives at least an hour or so away to tell him I’d accidentally created a hot dog chili that tasted just like our old favorite.

This isn’t a soup chili. Nope. This is a SIDE dish for hot dogs or hamburgers. You want the hamburger finely minced to get the right texture for a chili dog or my favorite, a Carolina Burger.

What’s a Carolina Burger? oh child! You get a big juicy burger. Top that with some creamy Cole slaw, a generous serving of my Cookout Chili, a tablespoon or two of chopped raw onion, and several drizzles of yellow mustard. That’s a Carolina Burger all the way!