Crowdfunding campaign started to save iconic Raleigh restaurant

The Roast Grill is asking for the public's help to remain in business.

Posted 3:42 p.m. Aug 1, 2018 — Updated 8:40 p.m. Aug 1, 2018

Kathy Hanrahan, Out

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The owner of the Roast Grill is asking for the public's help to remain in business.

The downtown Raleigh restaurant, which is known for its hot dogs, recently underwent major repairs including refrigeration, flooring, plumbing and electrical, according to owner George Poniros, who started a crowdfunding campaign to save the business this week.

The hot dog haven resides in a building at 7 South West St. constructed in the 1920s.

"It is slowly getting to be an impossibility to cover the costs of nearly everything on the premises falling apart at the same time," Poniros wrote on the Go Fund Me page. "We are asking for a bit of help financially, from our beloved friends/family/customers so that we can continue to provide the Greatest Tasting Hot-Weiner Chili Dogs on the Planet."

Ernest Charles, Poniros' uncle, inherited the building from his mother, Mary Charles, when she passed away in 1990. Charles founded the Roast Grill in 1940 and was a fixture at the restaurant for 50 years.

"That building is 100 years old and in perfect shape," Charles said, disputing Poniros' claims that the building is falling apart. "He has nothing to do with the premises."

Charles said the two have an agreement that Poniros runs the restaurant.

"George and I have an agreement. I don't raise the rent and I don't repair the equipment, even though I own the equipment," Charles said.

Charles said Poniros' campaign and statements have caused strife within the family and are in direct opposition to his mother's legacy.

"She (Mary Charles) was there from 1940 to 1990. She wouldn't even accept a tip and certainly wouldn't do a Go Fund Me," Charles said.

Charles also questions the $17,500 goal of the campaign, contending that he doesn't believe the equipment cost that much to replace.

The Roast Grill has been in business for 78 years and is currently Raleigh's oldest original family owned business.

As of Wednesday afternoon the campaign had raised $4,100 of its $17,500 goal.

The Roast Grill serves up grill- blackened, Southern-style hot dogs topped with yellow mustard, onions, slaw and homemade chili.

The restaurant was featured on The Travel Channel's "Man V. Food" in 2009. Host Adam Richman ate 17 hot dogs and buns, a half pint of mustard and one pint of chili sauce in 30 minutes to win the "Hot Dogger Eating Challenge."

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