Quoted by WV State Folklorist

“As West Virginia writer V.C. McCabe put it, her hometown hot dog stand was a ‘building of memories.’”
–Southern Foodways Article by Emily Hilliard, WV State Folklorist

My full answer to her question about why hot dog stands are so beloved in WV was:

“comfort food, nostalgic of family picnics, and are community hubs for the same reason, tradition and good memories. Kids take their kids, etc. For example, until the flood Clendenin DQ provided first hotdogs, first dates, and first jobs for 60 yrs. A building of memories.”