April 28, 2008
Steve's slides out, AJ's moves in
AJ’s will take the spot of Steve’s Famous Hot Dogs on Brandon Avenue after this long-time hot dog restaurant closes on Wednesday. The owner of Steve’s, Andrew Eunice, is retiring from the Roanoke hot dog restaurant that was founded in 1973 in Salem.
Cari and Joe Roragen bought the business, and this Thursday, they’ll open its doors with a similar menu. Just don’t expect to order Steve’s well-known chili. The Roragens purchased the business, but they don’t have the rights to everything, including the Steve’s name and its chili recipe.
Cari Roragen told me today that they’ll serve Steve’s menu of hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken and fish sandwiches and other lunch and dinner fare. By this summer, they hope to incorporate some new tastes with a to-go breakfast menu, appealing largely to customers who use the drive-through. They’ll also add some lighter foods for lunch and dinner, such as wraps and salads.
Joe Roragen, who will be in the charge of the daily operation, brings some restaurant management experience to AJ’s, which the couple named after their two children, Annaliese and Jacob. He’s most recently been a manager at Texas Roadhouse in Christiansburg, and he also has worked at Outback Steakhouse.
Cari Roragen said it was time to put her husband’s skills “ into something that was ours.”
Comments
[April 29, 2008 7:10 AM]
Jonathan BrownBest wishes to Mr and Mrs Roragen. Another new entrepenuer starts. My best wishes to them.
[April 29, 2008 8:33 AM]
RichI've driven by Steve's a thousand times, but have never stopped in to try one of his chilidogs. Are they any good?
[April 30, 2008 8:34 AM]
MarieI carry happy memmories of eating Steve's hot dogs throughout most of my life! My first words was hot dog and my first hotdog with my Grand father was at Steve's! I miss him greatly and I would give just about anything for a Steve's chilidog again! Thanks Steve's for all the great memmories!
[May 16, 2008 3:35 PM]
Judi MelcherLet's see. There was Steves Hot Dogs on Brandon, and a couple of blocks up was the Roanoke Weiner Stand. Guess which one was packed at lunchtime?
[July 6, 2008 1:51 PM]
Mike DHas anyone eaten there yet? I drive by ever day on my way in to work and again on the way home and there is hardly ever anyone there. Maybe I just pass at the wrong time but it's doesn't look good.