For Macon Mayor Lester Miller, it’s Nu-Way or nothing

On an early afternoon at the Nu-Way Weiners on Bloomfield Road, Lester Miller chows down on a bright red hot dog slathered in chili, onions and a layer of slaw. 

It’s not a rare sighting to see the two-term mayor at a Nu-Way. Like the classic hot dog, his connection to the local diner chain is “all the way” marinated in history, family tradition and civic pride.

He eats Nu-Way hot dogs with his family, serves them at parties and even puts them on ice to send to relatives in New York. While in hospice, his grandfather requested two Nu-Way dogs as one of his last meals.  

Miller handed out Nu-Way at his 2020 election night watch party. Earlier this year, he brought coolers of chili dogs to the Georgia Capitol.

The city’s highest official makes pitstops at Nu-Way locations all over town, giving himself a brief spell to both escape the pressures of office and connect directly with the community.

For Miller, who grew up in Bloomfield and remembers visiting the iconic eatery as a child, Nu-Way Weiners is a red-roofed time capsule. Little has changed in the Bloomfield diner, from the off-white Formica countertops to the faded chrome stools. Customers still stop by for a chocolate malt shake and fries to dip in it. 

On this particular afternoon, Miller doesn’t even pause to scan the menu before ordering a golden grilled cheese sandwich, crispy fries and a sweet tea to accompany his hot dog.

Like many other longtime residents, when it comes to the more-than-a-century-old local establishment, Miller bleeds Nu-Way’s secret chili sauce.

That signature red hot stick of dynamite wedged inside a bun has stood the test of time since 1916, making Nu-Way Weiners one of the oldest American hot dog restaurants. 

“Sometimes that red throws them off,” Miller said. “That’s why I get it completely covered … I don’t think about how it looks or how it’s made, I know it tastes good.”

The mayor swears up and down that it’s far superior to The Varsity in Atlanta.

He could probably measure his mayoral tenure in Nu-Way hot dogs eaten. His ballpark estimate clocks in at roughly 1,000 dogs purchased annually.

“I just can’t eat as many as I used to,” he said. 

He has cut down his Nu-Way consumption from two times a week to a few times a month. Healthy food and gym workouts offset his visits. 

Depending on his schedule, Miller eats at whichever Nu-Way location is closest. He said it’s his “getaway” time where he’s left to his own thoughts and can problem-solve over some greasy brain food. But that doesn’t keep community members from stopping at his table for a quick chat. 

“I’m always on the clock,” Miller said.

Maconites have approached him to ask about projects in the works or which official to contact to solve a specific problem. Sometimes, they just want a picture with the mayor. 

Miller often finds himself taking out-of-towners or other business officials for a quick bite at Nu-Way. He said they usually enjoy it just as much as locals do. 

Nu-Way, he said,  is just “something we all can be proud of” in Macon.