In terms of quintessential hole-in-the-wall eateries in North Carolina, perhaps no other is quite as legendary as Hap’s Grill in Salisbury. Even with no tables, only a counter from which to order your food, and a menu limited to hot dogs, chili dogs, hamburgers, chips, and soda, Hap’s is one of the most visibly busy restaurants in town.
Open six days a week for lunch, the restaurant carts a couple of makeshift hand-made wood tables out to the sidewalk for patrons to park their food on while devouring the meal. Dining at Hap’s is as much about the flavorful food as it is about the entire experience.
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Hap’s opened around 1986 in a space on North Main Street that can only be described as what may have been a small alley at one time between two historic buildings - and is now filled in with a three-story structure.
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The food at Hap’s is so good, folks happily wait in a line that moves surprisingly fast, considering it’s often down the block. It’s actually a bonus to dining at Hap’s: you get to meet new people along the way — only to share table space in this sidewalk feast. It may be the only place in town where folks don’t mind standing while they enjoy a meal.
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A few inches inside the eatery are devoted to ledges that have been affixed to the wall. During cold weather months, they’re the most coveted “tables” on the whole city block.
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Ordering at Hap’s is quick and easy even in the small space. Once inside the tiny restaurant, you may be tempted to stretch your arms out to your sides to see if you can actually touch both side walls at once. Hap’s may be tiny, but…
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Their grilled hot dogs are the most sought-after sidewalk meal in town. They’re not only affordable (between $2 and $2.25 each, depending upon how you want yours), they’re delicious.
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And their burgers are hand patted and cooked to a mouthwatering perfection — every time.
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The next time you’re in (or simply near) Salisbury, be sure to get in the (fast moving) line outside of Hap’s. You’ll make a few new friends and have a tasty lunch!
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Hap’s Grill is open six days a week: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you hurry, you just might make it today! Learn more from their official Facebook page here! And for another must-visit burger and hot dog joint in a different part of the state, head to Bryson City to check out Naber’s Drive-In.
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Address: 116 1/2 N Main St, Salisbury, NC 28144, USA
