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LESAGE -- The traditional West Virginia hot dog typically features mustard, a meaty sauce (or "chili" depending on who is running the stand), onions and is finally topped with coleslaw.

It's generally believed that this particular assortment of hot dog toppings was first popularized in the Charleston area back in the 1920s. While this hot dog (ubiquitous at various drive-ins and diners in the region) is on the menu at Hillbilly Hot Dogs, most of the franks are anything but traditional.

The two locations in Cabell County are places where you can try a "pizza dog" topped with pizza sauce, shredded cheese and pepperoni. There's also the "Thundering Herd Dog" with habanero sauce, nacho cheese, chili sauce, jalapenos, onions and slaw. Since first opening in 1999, restaurant owners Sonny and Sharie Knight have carved out a niche for themselves with their friendly service, unique menu and quirky sense of humor.

"Some of the menu items such as Stacy's Flu Shot and Chuck's Junk Yard Dog came from our customers," Sharie Knight said. "Back when I was a single mom raising my boys, I had to get creative to feed them and their friends. That's when I created the pizza dog and the egg dog. When Sonny was building the place, I asked him to try some of the things I was raising my kids on. He liked them and said that if we could get people to try them, we had winning recipes."

Most hot dogs range from $1.59 to $2.59. Both Hillbilly Hot Dogs locations feature an assortment of sandwiches and salads ranging from the Big Bad Bubba Burger ($5.95) to the fried bologna sandwich ($4.99).

"We knew that we had to expand the menu if we wanted to get the same people to come back more than once or twice a week," Sonny Knight said. "We always like to have fun with the variety of our hot dogs. That's why we thought of serving a one-pound all beef weenie that we call the Home Wrecker. We talked with the people at Logan's Meats to have one specially made for us. Buddy Logan agreed to make it for us, and it took them about three months to make it."

The Home Wrecker ($14.99) was soon followed by a 5-pound hamburger called the Single Wide ($24.99 and named by The Herald-Dispatch writer Dave Lavender), which was topped six months later by the 10-pound hamburger the Double Wide ($49.99).

Word of mouth about the restaurant's menu soon spread. The restaurant gained nationwide attention when Food Network profiled the restaurant on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" in April 2008. In January 2009, Hillbilly Hot Dogs perhaps reached an even higher level of nationwide fame when Guy Fieri took a bite out of a Single Wide during a guest appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

The original Lesage location of Hillbilly Hot Dogs recently expanded to feature a "Sugar Shack," serving an assortment of ice cream. Sundaes and banana splits are available as is blackberry cobbler. Sonny Knight is also planning to make some expansions on the restaurant's menus in August.

"Every so often, someone comes in asking for a plain weenie," Sonny Knight said. "But we don't offer anything plain here. Everything is fun, and everything is unique."

The Hillbilly Hot Dogs Lesage location is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Huntington location is open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, including catering options, call Hillbilly Hot Dogs in Lesage at 304-763-2458 or in Huntington at 304-522-0044. Cash and all major credit/debit cards are accepted. For a full menu, visit www.hill billyhotdogs.com.

Paul Sebert/For The Herald-Dispatch

Hillbilly Hotdogs has locations in on Rt. 2 in Lesage, pictured, and on 3rd Avenue in Huntington. The restaurant has become nationally known for its unique menu.

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Paul Sebert/For The Herald-Dispatch

Hillbilly Hotdogs has locations in on Rt. 2 in Lesage, pictured, and on 3rd Avenue in Huntington. The restaurant has become nationally known for its unique menu.

Purchase this photo

Paul Sebert/For The Herald-Dispatch

Hillbilly Hotdogs owners Sonny and Sharie Knight enjoy some ice cream at the Sugar Shack, a recent addition to their Lesage location. Hillybilly Hotdogs has locations on Rt. 2 in Lesage and on 3rd Avenue in Huntington.

Purchase this photo