Shorty's Famous Hot Dogs

07/17/2026

Air conditioner is working! Hot dogs are grilling, drinks are chilling! We are open! Come see us!

07/16/2026

Shorty’s will be closed today because our air conditioner is down at the moment. Repair man has been called and I will report back on Facebook when the issue is resolved. Sorry for any inconvenience.

07/08/2026

07/08/2026

07/08/2026

1st picture is sometime around 1934 and the second is what it looks like now. Hot dogs for more than a century and counting.

07/07/2026

All about history and tradition.

Joyner’s, c. 1930

Shorty’s Famous Hot Dogs, initially managed by Henry Edward Joyner, started as a silent movie theater and snack shop that sold hot dogs, ice cream, and candy. Later, the business expanded to include pool tables and a lunch counter. The business was first known as Joyner’s (pictured below) and eventually, renamed Shorty’s. Worth and Buster Joyner moved the business a few stores down in 1935. Then, after Wake Forest College moved in 1956, Shorty’s returned to its original location at 214 South White Street. The Joyner family has owned and operated Shorty’s since 1916.

In this photo, the Chevrolet dealership is located on the left, and Jones Hardware is on the right. The sign to the right of the store entrance is for Pine State Ice Cream, a creamery located in Raleigh.

Come see this photograph in our new exhibit, Strolling White Street: A Photographic History of Downtown, to learn more.

06/29/2026

We are closed for our summer vacation. We will be back open on Monday July 6th.

06/26/2026

Upcoming, we will be closed June 29th through July 5th. We will re-open on July 6 on our regular schedule. Have a safe July 4th weekend friends!

06/23/2026

Upcoming, We will be closed June 29th through July 5th. Re-open on July 6th regular hours.