Kearney’s Drive In

This order at the window, takeout only, burger & dog joint has been around for over 40 years, and is still going strong. This is a tiny place, with a gravel parking lot, across the street from the now departed John Wayne Barbecue.
They offer both a regular hot dog ($ 1.95), and an all beef dog ($ 2.20 — the menu refers to them as Kearney’s Famous Hot Dogs, might be a bit of a stretch on that part. This is just not a hot dog that I care for — the «chili» they serve is more like a nearly meatless, hot dog sauce — it is thin and rather on the sweet side. It reminds me of the hot dog sauce served by Bill’s Hot Dogs in Washington, NC. The wieners are decent, the bun ok, but a chili dog really is about the chili, and this is one I’d pass on.
On the other hand, the hamburger they serve here is very, very nice. The patties are hand form, fresh each day (says so on the menu), and the flavor is excellent. I especially like the cheese burger with just mayo and pickles. The ¼ pound cheeseburger goes for 2.95, the ½ pounder for $ 4.50, and the Double Kearney Burger is a full pound bargin at $ 5.50.
The fries are the ridged kind with no hint of potato — again, I’d pass. The offer some other sandwiches, include Conrad & Hinkle Pimento Cheese (a local favorite, and with some reason). Here i’d: take the cheeseburger, leave the hot dog.