Home of the OKI Dog!

Current Owner: Joe Doppes...He bought Bob out in Novermber 2018

Joe's Story:

Joseph C. Doppes IV has been a chef/proprietor since 1990.  He began his culinary career at the age of 16.  As a Culinary Institute of America grad Doppes has had the good fortune to work with many well known French chefs from New York, Los Angeles, Paris and finally Chicago.  As an owner he has garnered many accolades from 3 stars from the Chicago Tribue to the top 10 bistros in Chicago via the Zagat Guide.  He has made numerous appearances on TV from WGN to the Food Network. He was featured as a guest on local radio in Chicago (WLUP AM 1000).  Doppes has taught cooking classes, and done special events for charity causes.  He has two degrees from Cincinnati State and the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

Bob's Story:

Native to the Kannapolis-Mooresville, Lake Norman, NC area.  Bob Kiser decided to sell his successful trophy and engraving business after 30 years and set out to pursue his dream of living near the ocean - specifically, Oak Island, NC.  Not ready to retire, he began looking for work in the area.  He quickly realized that there were no jobs available, so he decided to open his own hot dog restaurant.

Now, how do you go from engraving trophies and plaques for 30 years to opening a hot dog restaurant, you might ask.  When Bob was 25 years old, he was offered a management position at a restaurant in Mooresville, NC.  The restaurant offered menu items such as fried chicken, fresh corn-on-the-cob, hamburgers, seafood and hot dogs.  In fact, he ran a special at his restaurant where you could buy three hot dogs for $1!  That was value!

After many diving/fishing vacations, Bob, along with his wife Susie and sons Chris & Jason discovered the alure of the Florida Keys.  Their love for the tropical flare and Bob's dream of opening a hot dog restaurant one day made it an easy decision for him.  Since there were no jobs, he would create one, and in fulfillment of that dream, Bob's Dogs opened for business in April 2010.  Out of the middle of a deep recession, a success story was born.

The Restaurant:

Upon entering Bob's restaurant at Oak Island, you will immediately notice the whimsical atmosphere of palm trees and brightly painted walls decorated with artwork of local artists.  

The fresh squeezed lemonade is to die for.  It's made from only the finest ingredients, and repeat customers cannot get enough of it.  But our Oak Island restaurant offers so much more than ordinary beach food:  we also offer specialty 1/3 pound hamburgers with fresh housemade coleslaw, cool crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes; tropical chicken salad sandwich with dried cranberries and fresh condiments; and house baked cookies.

But let's get back to the hot dogs:  The OKI Dog comes with traditional mustard, slaw, thick beefy chili and sweet crisp onions.  The Chubby Dog is for those unafraid to dive into mouth-watering sausage, pungent saurerkraut and tart yellow mustard.  The Caswell Beach Dog is a twist on an all-American favorite with bacon, lettuce and tomato.

Yes, there's so much more to us than meets the eye or the stomach!  We invite you to keep coming back to try each item on our menu so you can taste for yourself what a difference real freshness and quality ingredients make at our hot dog restaurant.  Our delicious food can be enjoyed inside or outdoors at our picnic table area.  If you want to take some great food along to the beach, we'll have it ready and waiting for you.  Just download our mobile app called Toast and place your order.  We will have it ready for you when you get here. Bob's Dogs on Oak Island is only steps away from the Beach where you can enjoy fun under the sun with a delicious meal created from fresh quality ingredients.

While you are on Oak Island, be on the look out for our Mascot, "Buffett" the Beach Dog.  He has been known to roam the Oak Island and Yaupon beaches on sunny days looking for hungry people to send our way.  Enjoy your favorite sandwiches with us all weekend, and come Monday, wouldn't it be nice to be wasted away again by too many cheese dogs in paradise while looking forward to some much needed changes in attitudes because after all, it's five o'clock somewhere.

Come in and visit us where a warm greeting awaits you, along with our frsh-squeezed, ice-cold lemonade or orangeade and delicious food that's made to order.  Our restaurant at the beach offers you the tropical environment  of the Florida Keys - only 925 miles closer!  And remember, a day at the beach would not be complete without Bob's Dogs!  Home of the OKI Dog!