On Tuesday night, I drove all the way down to Ballantyne to attend the VIP pre-opening event of JJ’s Red Hots. I covered the Dilworh location opening on East Boulevard for Creative Loafing last year, but haven’t ever posted about it here.
JJ’s Red Hots is a hot dog joint that serves really creative hot dogs and takes a lot of pride in the quality of their food. The East Blvd. location is very close to my house, so I’ve eaten there many times. This girl loves some hotdogs.
![JJ's Red Hots Ballantyne JJ's Red Hots Ballantyne](../../wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1527-600x400.jpg)
The Ballantyne location has similar decor as the Dilworth location, but the building is very different. It’s definitely sleeker and newer.
![JJ's Red Hots Ballantyne JJ's Red Hots Ballantyne](../../wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1528-600x400.jpg)
![JJ's Red Hots Ballantyne JJ's Red Hots Ballantyne](../../wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1529-600x400.jpg)
![JJ's Red Hots Ballantyne JJ's Red Hots Ballantyne](../../wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1530-600x400.jpg)
![JJ's Red Hots Ballantyne JJ's Red Hots Ballantyne](../../wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1526-600x400.jpg)
More importantly, this location has a bar.
You can get wine and beer at the Dilworth location of JJ’s, but you have to order it at the food counter.
![Chicken Sausage at JJ's Red Hots Chicken Sausage at JJ's Red Hots](../../wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1524-600x400.jpg)
Upon arriving, I met up with my friend Jes and we chatted while trying a few samples. This is a chicken sausage paired with a cilantro cream dipping sauce. One thing that I really like about JJ’s is they get really creative for a place that only serves hotdogs and sausages and they are always featuring specials to highlight their creativity. Case in point — this chicken sausage. It’s something they’re trying out, but isn’t on the regular menu.
![Char Heel at JJ's Red Hots Char Heel at JJ's Red Hots](../../wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1531-600x400.jpg)
As much as I can appreciate their creativity, I order the exact same thing every single time I’m at JJ’s. Sure, I like to try new things (from other people’s basket), but I’m a traditionalist when it comes to hotdogs. I love Carolina dogs, which at JJ’s is called the Char Heel.
For those of you who don’t know, a Carolina dog is a beef hotdog with chili, mustard, onions, and slaw. If you order a Carolina dog anywhere, this is what you get. And being a Tarheel (a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill), just makes me love this hotdog even more.
![Onion Rings at JJ's Red Hots Onion Rings at JJ's Red Hots](../../wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1537-600x400.jpg)
I’m proud of Jes for branching out and getting a Char Heel too. She usually prefers plain hotdogs with just ketchup. However, instead of fries, she ordered the onion rings. JJ’s onion rings are stringy and a bit spicy, which she loved.
![Brat at JJ's Red Hots Brat at JJ's Red Hots](../../wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1533-600x400.jpg)
Since the food was free for us, we also ordered a brat.
Pork and Veal “White Hot” served with Sauerkraut and Deli Mustard
I am not a sausage expert by no means, but decided that I like the prefered andouille that was also passed around as a sample.
Traditional Louisiana Pork Sausage Link, Cole Slaw, Remoulade
This may have something to do with the fact that I like spice and am not a huge fan of kraut.
You can check out the rest of their menu here.
![Frank the Tank -- JJ's Red Hots' Catering Frank the Tank -- JJ's Red Hots' Catering](../../wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_1538-e1375370665166-600x900.jpg)
The food at the Ballantyne location of JJ’s Red Hots is just as good as the food at their Dilworth location, except the feel of the restaurant is a bit different because of the newness of their location.
I would say that I’ll be back, but instead I’ll be frequenting the location within walking distance of my house when I want a Char Heel. However, for those of you who live in the South Charlotte area, you should definitely check this place out if you’re a fan of hotdogs or sausages.
JJ’s Red Hots in Ballantyne is now open to the general public.