Dominion Dogs gets new digs

The owners of a popular hot dog cart are gearing up for the opening of their first brick and mortarestablishment in Greater Williamsburg.

David and Andrea Andre, owners of Dominion Dogs hot dog cart, are anticipating a late summer or early fall opening of their new restaurant within the James-York Plaza in Williamsburg’s Edge District. The restaurant will be located a few doors down from Column 15 coffeehouse at 701-K Merrimac Trail.

The couple bought and refurbished an old hot dog cart in 2019. Since then, Dominion Dogs, which operates at local breweries throughout Hampton Roads and Richmond, quickly gained a following. The business also does catering.

“We both love food and love creative American fare,” said Andrea Andre. “We thought about doing burgers, but realized there are already a ton of burger places. We thought of doing a food truck, but then decided on the hot dog cart. Hot dogs are really lucrative. They are fast and easy. People don’t have to wait long for them. And they are a good thing that the whole family can enjoy.”

Dominion Dogs has roughly 20 different kinds of hot dogs on the menu. Their signature dog is the Low Country, topped with pimento cheese and pepper jelly. The Chicago dog, which features tomato, pickle, chopped onion, relish, mustard, celery salt, and sport peppers without ketchup (which, according to Andrea Andre, is key) is also popular.

“We’ve been told that our Chicago dog is the most authentic dog you can get outside of Chicago,” she said. “We also do seasonal dogs. We had a Reuben dog for St. Patrick’s Day, and have a hot dog topped with peaches and goat cheese for the summer.”

A veggie hot dog is also available as well as bowls for those with gluten sensitivities. Other menu items include BBQ sandwiches, nachos, and kettle corn. Once the restaurant is open, Dominion Dogs plans to expand its offerings to include beer and wine, fresh cut French fries, burgers, and other classic American fare.

David, a former teacher, and Andrea, whose background is in marketing, met while working at arestaurant during college at Old Dominion University. The couple has two young children.

“We were looking for a change,” Andrea Andre said of purchasing their hot dog cart and openingDominion Dogs. “We are both very social and wanted to be around people.”

Their new restaurant will open in a 1,200 square foot space and feature a small dining room with a bar as well as outdoor patio seating.

“We are hoping to be a modern mom and pop place,” she said. “We want this place to be a place for good, clean fun for families. That’s what hot dogs are about.”

For more information on Dominion Dogs, visit www.dominiondogs.com.

Brandy Centolanza, [email protected]

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