By Belinda Dunn
NCCU Staff Write
the Durham VOICE
thedurhamvoice@gmail.com
Joe’s Diner in East Durham is well known for the one pound hot dog. But hot dogs aren’t the only thing the diner specializes in. Joe’s has a wide variety of foods including breakfasts that are served all day and dinner entrees.
Billy Keith takes pride in serving what some consider the best hot dogs in Durham. (Staff photo by Belinda Dunn)
Owner Joseph Bushfan serves everything from corn beef hash, fish plates, chicken wings, onion rings, and ham and cheese melts. Bushfan has even started doing a specialty entrée that isn’t included on the dinner menu.
Since the diner has opened, Joe Bushfan explained that he gets customers of all races, different authority figures in the diner, and he’s even had a celebrity or two to come in.
“A lot of police and officials come in,” said Bushfan. “We’ve had the chief of police come in, the mayor, everyone stops in here for lunch.”
The hot dogs, however, remain the most popular item on the menu.
“It’s a meal in itself,” said Boyd Taylor as he showed how big the one pound hot dog was with his hands.
Bushfan uses all-beef Pearl brand hot dogs. “I chose pearl hot dogs because I grew up on pearl hot dogs, I wanted North Carolina to know what a good hot dog taste like,” said Bushfan
The Pearl Packing Company is based in Massachusetts and has been in business since 1947. According to the company website, they use a unique blend of spices and slow cook the frankfurters in an old world style.
Bushfan also credits his success to the people who work with him at the restaurant. Billy Keith is the lead cook.
“Billy can make anything!” said Bushfan.
“I just like to see people eat what I cook,” said Keith. “I don’t have a favorite dish to cook – I can cook anything.”
Online reviews of Joe’s Diner are overwhelmingly positive with four and five star ratings across the board. People who have commented were not only impressed with the food, but loved the welcoming atmosphere, the prices, and even the cleanliness. The restaurant was given a 100 by NC restaurant inspectors.
Because of demand, the diner has recently expanded its business hours. They are open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and now Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
They are located at 2102 Angier Ave., at the corner of Driver Street, and have available street parking as well as a parking lot behind the restaurant.