By Stephen Smoot
Northern West Virginia trumpets the pepperoni roll as the official state food. Southern West Virginians and traditionalists still say its brown beans and cornbread with a bit of sliced onion on top. The entire state agrees, however, that West Virginia sits right alongside New York City and Chicago as one of the best places to eat a great hot dog.
But who has the best?
Over the past two years, Joel Bennett and Jay Silverman went from Harpers Ferry to Kenova, from Bluefield to Weirton, and everywhere in between in search of the absolute best that the Mountain State has to offer.
Two years and a mind boggling 284 establishments later, they ranked the top 50. Yokum’s Grill at Seneca Rocks earned a fourth-place nod, beating out a lot of heavy hitters in state frankfurter enjoyment.
On their You Tube video listed on the Have Fun WV channel, the two weiner wanderers praised the West Virginia style hot dog served up. A traditional West Virginia hot dog is covered with a chili sauce and topped with cole slaw. Yokum’s did not disappoint. One said “it’s like Grandma’s slaw,” and added that he “never loved slaw so much.” They also raved over the chili sauce, saying “it’s bangin,” a youthful slang term meaning absolutely delicious.
Luke Yokum stated that “the guys were impressed at the fact that they’re deep fried.” Deep frying helps to create a firmer exterior while keeping the juices sealed inside. He added that “the cole slaw is a special recipe. It’s got a sweet tang that’s really good.”
While the gentlemen raved that the slaw tasted like “Grandma’s,” the chili sauce actually is a generations old family recipe. Mary Vandevander, who has worked at the site since 1992, has overseen the chili. Vandevander now splits time between taking care of the books and helping in the kitchen.
Judy Thompson, who has 13 years of experience at Yokum’s, currently makes the sauce. Thompson, however, insists that “it’s a team effort. Everyone pitches in and does their part.” The cole slaw is made by Rena Vance, who has worked at Yokum’s for two years. Thompson and Vance, who both graduated from Circleville High School together, were present when Bennett and Silverman sampled their work. The attention received has quickly made Yokum’s a favorite for frankfurters even outside of the state. Linda Wimer, who has worked at Yokum’s between four and five years, says “they ask for them because they hear they are really good. They compliment them and tell us they’ll be back. We’re selling them really fast.”
Wimer added that, “people from all over come in and say, can we try that?”
Receiving recognition for great food options is more than just a feather in the cap. As Amber Nesselrodt, the new Pendleton County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director noted, “it’s a great complement to our beautiful scenery and other tourism options to have great places for people to stop and eat.” She added, “It’s helpful when both visitors and locals are familiar with the local restaurants and specials that they have to offer.”
The visit and attention will not be forgotten soon. “We’re pretty tickled about it,” Yokum said. “It made the employees’ day.”
