Historic Macon

NU-WAY
WEINERS
Swivel-top barstools and chrometrimmed
countertops, first-name
familiarities exchanged between
patrons and staff, the heady aroma of
grilled meat and simmering chili:
this is Nu-Way Weiners, the
quintessential Macon experience.
For ninety-two years, Nu-Way has
been a mainstay of the city’s
existence, an important part of
which is noshing, grabbing lunch, or
indulging in a hearty dinner. Nu-
Way’s appeal bridges geographic
distances and cultural gaps,
appealing to Southerners and Yanks
alike, to low-brow chowhounds and
gourmands both.
Gourmet Magazine cited Nu-Way
as “one of America’s ten best
hot dog joints,” while The Macon
Telegraph notes the supremacy of the
restaurant’s sweet tea. And Lewis Grizzard and
The New York Times agree about one thing, if
nothing else: Nu-Way is among the best
in its class. Only a taste of the highest quality
could unite such disparate elements of culture
and geography.
The signature beef-and-pork hot dog and
spicy chili captivates the taste buds of Central
Georgians and non-natives alike. The bright red
wieners are made uniquely to Nu-Way
specifications, and the chili is made from scratch,
using the original recipe. The house specialty is a
hot dog on a bun steamed to a warm, tender
perfection and topped with hot chili sauce and
cole slaw, with condiments to taste. Crispy fries
are the perfect accompaniment, and no Nu-Way
meal is complete without a fountain drink or
sweet tea over Famous Flaky Ice. Burger lovers
will be satisfied with the Mega-Burger, “A Meal in
Itself.” Plus Nu-Way serves fresh hot breakfasts,
including biscuits, bacon and eggs.
Launched by Greek immigrant James Mallis
in 1916, the original Nu-Way was housed inside
a grocery store on Cotton Avenue. In the 1930s,
by a fluke, the name picked up the idiosyncratic
spelling of wieners: A sign painter misspelled
the name as Nu-Way Weiners. The owners at
the time fancied it bad luck to change the
spelling once the job was complete, so the
quirky spelling remained. And the store has
been Nu-Way Weiners ever since. Nu-Way’s
development has mirrored that of the city,
expanding from its original downtown location
to eleven locations in Central Georgia.
Many Nu-Way patrons are part of a long
lineage of Nu-Way lovers. For some families,
visiting the restaurant is a tradition and part
of what makes Macon unique. And just as
patronizing Nu-Way is a multi-generational
activity, so is working for Nu-Way. Nu-Way enjoys
having third- and fourth-generation employees,
some of whom have worked for the business for
70 ✦ HISTORIC MACON