WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack 

Oh, no! Tell me it isn’t so! Kermit’s Hot Dog House is up for sale! 

As a Southside girl who grew up on Waughtown Street, Kermit’s is more than just a hot dog spot. It is a neighborhood gathering spot, a place where you know what you’re going to get when you order a hot dog “all the way,” and where the staff always have a friendly greeting. 

According to Arthur “Buster” Williams, co-owner of Kermit’s, when people move away from Winston-Salem and then come back to visit family or friends, a stop at Kermit’s is one of the first things they do. “People want to remember things like it was,” said Williams. And that is true of Kermit’s. I’m not sure anything has changed except a coat of paint since they opened over 50 years ago. 

Their menu includes a short history of Kermit’s, which was started by Buster Williams’ father, Kermit. He purchased the old Bledsoe’s Café on the corner of Sprague Street and Thomasville Road and opened Kermit’s on Jan. 10, 1966. One stipulation of the Bledsoe Café owner was that the name remain on the building, so as Buster told the story, “There was Bledsoe’s on the side and Kermit’s on the front.” 

In March 1968 Kermit Williams passed away suddenly and Buster, who had just graduated from Parkland High School in 1967, took over. At the time, Buster said, “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.” He had played in the band in high school and was leaning toward a career in music. “I wanted to go into the Marines and join the (Marine Corps) Band. But he (his father) had worked so hard to get this thing going,” so he chose to carry on his legacy. 

In 1969 he moved the restaurant to its current location on Thomasville Road in what was an old A&W drive-in because he wanted to have more room to offer curb service. In 1971 Paul Church joined the Kermit’s team and in 1976 Buster and Paul formed Kermit’s Enterprises, Inc., the parent company of Kermit’s Hot Dog House. 

Kermit’s Hot Dog House has welcomed generations of folks who have not only been loyal customers but have brought their children and grandchildren to enjoy their famous hot dogs served on toasted buns or homemade pimento cheese sandwiches, among other customer favs.  

When I heard the news that Kermit’s was closing, I stopped by and talked with Buster, who had been a classmate all through school, beginning at Forest Park Elementary, Hill Junior High, and Parkland High School. He assured me they weren’t closing, but were for sale and he hoped the next owner would continue their legacy of award-winning hot dogs, as well as keeping their staff, most of whom have worked at Kermit’s for over 20 years, beginning in high school. Buster said his kids have worked there off and on over the years, and his son, Michael, is the breakfast manager. His son, Russell, is a Moravian minister, and his daughter, Jennifer, has helped on occasion. He also has two grandchildren who have recorded spots for Kermit’s on WTOB radio. 

Buster said that after over 50 years, “many of the old regulars have passed on.” But more have taken their place. “Some come in here every day, sometimes two or three times a day.” Richard Miller is one of those regulars who happened to stop by as Buster and I were talking. 

“I’ve been coming here since the mid-70s,” Miller said. “This is the place to go before the races (at Bowman Gray racetrack).” Miller added, “This is where I go for breakfast and lunch. I can come here and relax and see friends come in.” Miller, who is with WTOB Oldies radio, said he comes in at least twice a week. I could tell the staff knew his usual order. 

Buster said he and Paul Church talked about retiring over the past five years, but they didn’t get serious about it until this past Thanksgiving. He admits they are feeling the aches and pains of being over 75 years old. I asked him if he cooked at home and he quickly replied, “Heck, no! The kitchen’s too small! I have to have room to spread out in.” Buster looks forward to spending more time with family and enjoying working on his mini-farm in Lewisville. 

If anyone is interested in purchasing this landmark, the sale is being handled by Linville Partners Group. In the meantime, Kermit’s could use a couple more staff for the evening shift.  

I raise a glass of sweet tea to this Southside Winston-Salem landmark! Let’s hope new owners will continue its legacy.