Vic the Chili Man will debut three new hot dogs this year, including one topped with chimichurri, provolone, and paprika and cumin panko. Photo courtesy

Vic the Chili Man returns to his spot at Tryon Street near 4th Street on Tuesday, March 12 after weather delayed his opening. Vic, whose full name is Vic Werany, serves grilled hot dogs topped with his own creative combinations, with toppings such as pickled jalapenos, chili (of course), cheese, onions, sour cream, and Fritos (the Frito pie dog is a personal favorite).

He’ll add three new dogs to the rotation this year, starting with the Dog Au Poivre Con Frite, a play on steak au poivre, his debut week. The Chili Man version features a grilled hot dog topped with a sour cream cream cheese with Dijon mustard, cognac, and fresh cracked pepper, finished with peppered bacon and crispy potato sticks (the frites).

He’ll follow that with a chimichurri dog, then a dog with aji verde, chili, and roasted corn and black-bean salsa. The specials rotate weekly.

“Those are the first three in rotation, then I’ll jump back in to some of my old favorites,” Vic says.

He expects the line tomorrow will likely be an hour-plus as Uptown workers welcome him back, but time goes by quickly thanks to Vic’s hilarious banter as customers wait to get their hot dogs.

This year marks the 16th year Vic the Chili Man will be stationed at the same corner in Uptown.

“What the hell? Where has my life gone?!” he says with a laugh. “Sixteen years of serving hot dogs. It doesn’t even seem real at this point.”

Vic’s hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, weather permitting. Follow him on Facebook for daily updates. —Kristen Wile