news-record.com

Katie Darnley wants to make one thing clear: She is not parking her hot dog carts.

Darnley has been running Downtown Dogs mobile hot dog carts for nearly 20 years in downtown Greensboro. But last week, she took her dogs to a new level when she opened The Red Onion (676-6691) at 219-A S. Elm St. in Greensboro.

The new restaurant calls itself a “gastro pub” and offers appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches and classic entrees like coq au vin and Airline Chicken, served with a sauce of the day.

Darnley says both of her carts — one at Phill McDonald Governmental Plaza and one at J. Douglas Galyon Depot — will continue to operate. You just might not see her at them as often.

“I’m looking forward to being inside more,” Darnley laughs. “The winters are getting harder to be outside.”

Darnley runs The Red Onion with the help of family and friends. And the dogs still take center stage — all 20 of them.

The Red Onion offers an extensive selection of special and gourmet dogs like the Red Onion with New York-style red onion sauce, the Pepperoni Pizza Dog, the Washington Apple with apple-jalapeno compote, the Stinky Cheese Man with bleu cheese and garlic-red pepper relish and the Elvis with peanut butter and fried bananas.

Standard hot dogs are $1.95-$2.45. House stuffed sausage and bratwurst are $4.75. Specialty and gourmet dogs are a little extra.

The Red Onion hand patties its burgers and, whether it’s rare, medium or well-done, they are grilled to order.

There are several vegan and vegetarian-friendly options on the menu including veggie dogs ($2.50), black bean cakes ($8.95) with salsa and tahini and a hummus wrap ($6.95).

Sides ($2.45) include cilantro lime coleslaw, baked sweet potato, seasonal vegetables and a potatoes du jour.

And Fred’s Famous Chili ($3.95 cup, $5.95 bowl), from a family recipe, is topped with cheese stuffed jalapenos and served with rice chips.

The restaurant offers a wine list, domestic and craft beers and seven drafts along with a full bar.

The Red Onion is open for lunch and dinner and late night Thursday through Saturday.

Stand is family affair

Stop by Yellow Dog (2025 E. Market St., Greensboro; 271-3007) for a Mess Burger, and that’s exactly what you get — a mess.

That is what Angel Moffitt calls her 4.5- or 7-ounce burger with chili and slaw. And what a good mess, exclaimed the customer that inspired the name.

Moffitt opened the little white hamburger-and-hot-dog stand last summer at East Market and Shaw streets. The landscaped median makes left turns impossible if you’re traveling west bound on Market Street. You’ll have to double back. But there’s plenty of parking in the gravel lot next to this walk-up only joint.

This mother of three decided to open the stand after her children’s friends would rave about the good food she’d serve them when they came to visit. Yellow Dog is a family affair. Moffitt runs the stand with the help of her kids, her mother, her sisters, nieces and cousins. The name of the stand is from a nickname given to her brother. Her daughter Kimberly can often been found waiting on customers.

The Yellow Dog logo is of an angry-looking dog.

“He’s not angry,” Moffitt says. “He’s serious.”

And so is she about her menu. She uses Nathan’s hot dogs. Burgers are hand patted fresh each morning and cooked to order.

“If you ain’t got time to wait, you don’t come here,” she says. “It’s fresh.”

Yellow Dog offers sandwiches like Beef Bologna ($1.99), Fat Back ($1.99) and a grilled or fried chicken sandwich ($2.99). You can also get a Whiting Sandwich ($3.50) or have the Whiting with Grits ($4.75). And wings are offered as six or nine ($4.99/$7.99).

Doggie Bag combos range from $4.99 for a hamburger, fries and drink to $7.99 for six wings, fries and drink.

She prepares Kool-Aid daily in a variety of flavors. And fresh lemonade.

She’s always listening to customer’s feedback, such as the guy who told her he wanted a combination of ice tea and lemonade. He called it a “Mutt.” So she’s going to add it to the menu.

Moffitt keeps a list of her repeat customers. Purchase five meals, and the sixth is free.

Yellow Dog is open noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Diner opening soon

Jenn’s Diner (617-4665) is opening at 3929 Battleground Ave. in Greensboro.

The diner, opening in the space formerly occupied by Waffle House at Horsepen Creek Road, will serve home-style entrees such as beef stew, country-style steak and vegetables.

The diner will also offer subs, salads and deserts. Breakfast will be served all day.

Jennifer Jones, who was with Danny’s Restaurant in Greensboro, is opening the diner.

Hours will be 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 24 hours Friday through Saturday, closing at 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Jenn’s Diner is expected to open sometime this month.

Coffee shop opens

Beans Boro Coffeehouse and Roastery (2604-A Horsepen Creek Road, Greensboro; 285-6589) has opened at Garden Creek Center at New Garden Road.

The shop was opened by Kyle Burge who has been roasting beans out of Winston-Salem for two years for coffee shops such as Caffe Prada.

Beans Boro offers coffee and coffee drinks, including Chemex- and French Press-style brews.

The shop also offers smoothies, protein shakes, limited baked goods and freshly roasted bags of beans.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

African cuisine coming

African Continental Cuisine is coming to downtown Greensboro.

The restaurant is opening in the old Riva’s Trattoria location at 257 N. Greene St.

It will offer a menu of Caribbean and African dishes, with a focus on Nigerian specialties.

African Continental Cuisine will serve lunch and dinner.

The opening is expected sometime in December.

Bakery to open

Loaf Bakery will open at 227-B S. Elm St. in downtown Greensboro.

The bakery, opening in the space once belonging to Simple Kneads, will offer artisan, European-style breads and pastries.

It is expected to open Dec. 15.

Contact Taft Wireback at 373-7100 or taft.wireback@news-record.com