health: Lincoln Tribune

الاثنين، 25 يونيو 2012

Lincoln Tribune

City Lunch Celebrates 55 Years of Ownership

Posted: 24 Jun 2012 10:38 AM PDT

A look at City Lunch during the 1930s.

Lincolnton- City Lunch has no phone number, has no Website, has no heat or air conditioning, has no in-restaurant bathroom, and has not had an empty seat during lunch for 55 years.

Since 1957, the Dellinger Family has been serving burgers and dogs on the court square in downtown Lincolnton.

It all started in the mid-1950s when Pauline Dellinger stopped by the popular downtown eatery for a bite to eat when she noticed they were in need of a waitress. Dellinger applied and accepted the job. Shortly after, Pauline and her husband, Ernest, purchased luncheonette from Erne Ingle.

The restaurant is now owned by Angie Kaiser, the granddaughter of Pauline and Ernest. She was an employee herself for before taking over ownership two years ago and has seen very little change during her tenure.

"We have always served the same hotdogs, same chili, same slaw," said Kaiser. "We aren't fancy; people like us because we keep it simple."

Possibly the biggest change came in late 1970s when City Lunch, who only had seating at the bar, needed to add a sit-down dining area. They purchased the barbershop next door, knocked down the wall and added several booths and tables for customers.

According to Kaiser, these tables are now a hot ticket in the mornings for socializing.

"We get everyone from ditch diggers to presidents of banks who sit at these community tables. They swap stories, corny jokes and lie about fishing."

Occasionally, the greasy spoon will get a visit from the not-so-typical customer.

Angie Kaiser adds chili to one of City Lunch's world famous hotdogs. Photo by Seth Mabry

"In the early '70s, (county singer) Loretta Lynn was on tour and was looking for a home-cooked meal with pintos," said Kaiser. "Loretta came in, ordered her food, and ate without anyone noticing her."

But football players and fans may be the biggest repeat customers.

On football Friday nights, City Lunch fixes an additional 800-1,500 hotdogs that will be sold at Lincolnton and West Lincoln home football games. If the Wolves win on Friday, the players get a hotdog meal on the following Thursday. They also serve the legion baseball team.

Kaiser recalls a recent playoff game between Lincolnton and Maiden where their standard amount of 'dogs were not enough.

"We fixed 1,500 hotdogs when we got a call saying that we had sold out before the start of the game. We ended up making 2,500," she said.

On a typical day, City Lunch averages serving 700 hotdogs and 400 burgers a day to hungry patronages.

Lynn Houser of Lincolnton has been one of the patronages for 30 years. Good food, good customer service and great prices are what keep her coming back for more.

"The food is always the same, the menu has not changed, it has a great atmosphere," said Houser. "And where else are you going to eat this cheap? They have the best hotdogs in the world!"