While their menus may be very different, Hot Diggity Dogs and Dorky’s BBQ actually have a lot in common. Both restaurants’ owners pride themselves on quality and customer  service, and both owners saw gaps in their community, jumping at the chance to fill them with their own delicious flavors.
 

Hot Diggity Dogs

After successfully operating a car lot for many years, Pete Smith decided to fall back on his restaurant experience and give his Greenup community its own dairy bar, opening Hot 

Diggity Dogs in 2019. “There was a time when every town had one,” Smith said. “Now that’s the exception to the rule. I thought our community needed one.” While the name implies Hot Diggity is just about hot dogs, the menu provides many more options.

“The menu is crazy. It’s large, and we’re adding to it constantly,” Smith said. “You can come here six days a week and never eat the same thing twice. We do everything, and we 

do everything well.” That “crazy” menu includes pizza, chicken, burgers, ice cream, and meatloaf sandwiches. But the footers and regular hot dogs remain the most popular items.

“We’re not fast food, we’re fresh food fast,” Smith said. “We want you to go away happy and full. We make it right, or we’re not putting it out.”
 

Dorky’s BBQ

Dorky’s BBQ has only been in its current location in Ashland since October 2025, but pitmaster Dan Stewart, his wife Lisa, and their family have been selling barbecue in the 

area since 2013. The Stewarts opened their new location when they saw a gap in the barbecue market.

“We serve Appalachian barbecue,” Dan Stewart said. “It’s simplicity and tradition overflowing with creativity and flavor.“

 

The pulled pork sandwich is Dorky’s most popular menu item, but customers are also big fans of the porkaronirito — pulled pork and macaroni and cheese rolled up in a burrito. 

Baby back ribs are also a popular item, but Stewart warns those go fast. “Our willingness to have fun and create a friendly and dorky atmosphere is what makes us 

unique,” Stewart said. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously, though we do adhere to high standards regarding quality and service.”

The Stewarts, who describe themselves as “passionate hillbilly culinary artists,” are grateful for all the love they’ve received from the community thus far.

“We love seeing friends and family and expanding that circle through peace, love and barbecue.”

 

Hot Diggity Dogs

801 Seaton Ave., Greenup

Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Facebook.com/hotdiggitydogsgreenup

 

Dorky’s BBQ

101 Jane Hill Road, Ashland

Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Facebook.com/DorkyPorkyBBQ