Otis Campbell's Hot Dog Parlor

Okay, you might be thinking, "I can get a hot dog anywhere...," but seriously folks, YOU MUST TRY THIS HOT DOG. You cannot get this hot dog anywhere, because this is THE BEST HOT DOG I'VE EVER EATEN! Okay, I said it and I stand by my statement - best hot dog in the world! I had to start off this entry by putting that right out there, so now I can take a deep breath and get back to the review.
Otis Campbell's Hot Dog parlor is located on Market Street in downtown Mount Airy, North Carolina. This is a street that is being transformed to be a vital part of downtown, and the Hot Dog Parlor is the beginning of that revitalization, which is much welcomed by the residents and tourists alike. Market Street is located parallel to downtown, between Market and E. Oak Street, Turn right off of Main Street onto Franklin Street or right off of Main Street onto E. Oak Street, you will pass by Market Street. It is very easy to find, and if you are downtown, just walk there! You will enjoy the stroll! The inside of Otis Campbell's Hot Dog Parlor is such a beautiful and refreshing place in a minimalist sort of way. Keep in mind, this is just the beginning, but right now it is bright and spacious with the most beautiful light coming through the windows. The American Flag on its pole outside is perfectly framed in the first window on the left as you walk in the door, so be sure to look! There is even a pool table in the back! Also, look at those beautiful hardwood floors!

The menu (pictured above) has just what it needs - hot dogs, chips, and drinks! You can't get much better than that! Also, check out the LOW PRICES! It's only $2 for a hot dog, and drinks are under a dollar. They even have 2 liters avaliable if you come in with several people. Also, they have a to-go special: 12 hot dogs for $20 OR you can get 12 hot dogs, one two liter, and one large bag of chips for $24. This is perfect for a family meal, and really great for those tour buses I see driving all over downtown! There is plenty of room to park on the street, so come on down and bring your family and friends!
Okay, let's get back to what we are here for - THE DELICIOUS HOT DOGS!!!! Let me get straight to the point:
Look at that chili piled on top of the hot dog - it is the best chili I've ever eaten and it, in my opinion, is what really makes this hot dog so delicious. It has the perfect texture - unlike any I've ever eaten. There is no messy grease dripping, just pure meat and the most amazing flavor. There is a hint of spice, not enough to overwhelm and most certainly not too much for those who don't like spice - just enough to make it the best chili you've ever eaten. That slaw is good too, and the important thing is it doesn't overwhelm the chili either. I don't know about you, but I've ordered a hot dog with slaw before and ended up getting slaw that tasted more like celery and carrots than actual slaw. It's not like that with this delicious hot dog - it's perfect, right down to that delicious pink hot dog (and don't believe what you hear about these hot dogs in the news - everyone around here grows up eating pink hot dogs and they are still eating them when they are 85 years old or older).

Just looking at that picture of my hot dog is making me hungry. I ordered it with chili, slaw, mustard, and onions. You may also add relish, ketchup, and mayonnaise, if you wish. One hot dog is good, but just go ahead and order two, because you will want another when you are finished!

The owners of the restaurant love this town, and are currently commuting from another city until they are able to relocate. Strike up a conversation with them, they are really nice people and love to talk to the locals and tourists too. If you are lucky, you might even get to hear a guitar tune from that nice guitar behind the counter!

Hurry up and get down to Otis Campbell's hot dog parlor! You will be hooked, like I am! I think I've been there three times in the last eight days! Be sure to tell them "Dining Out in Mayberry" sent you!

Snappy Lunch in Mount Airy, North Carolina

As a long-time citizen of Mt. Airy, NC, otherwise known to the tourists as Mayberry, I have always been aware of the now-famous Snappy Lunch, located on South Main Street in downtown Mount Airy. Fans of The Andy Griffith show still flock here to re-live that small-town charm that is long-forgotten in many parts of this country.
For my first entry, I had to pay tribute to this great restaurant. I have been eating here as long as I remember; my father used to take me here when I was a little girl, and now as an adult I still love to dine at this unique dining establishment.
Snappy Lunch is the only business in Mount Airy to be mentioned on The Andy Griffith Show. In an episode entitled "Andy the Matchmaker", Andy suggests to Barney that they eat at Snappy Lunch. In truth, Andy greatly enjoyed eating here when he lived in Mount Airy as a young boy and teenager, and he especially loved the bologna sandwiches and hot dogs.

Snappy Lunch is Mount Airy's oldest continually operating restaurant. It opened in 1923 and has been in its current location since then, with one very welcome expansion to add more tables a few years ago. It is a common site to see a line weaving its way out the door and down the street. Luckily, the service is amazing and very quick, so you won't have any problem getting a table.

On the day we ate there, which was a Monday in July, we arrived around 11:30, so we beat the lunch crowd by a few minutes. Close to noon, the entire restaurant was full with people waiting for tables. Don't worry if you have to wait - it is well worth it! Just enjoy the memorabilia on the walls and be sure to strike up a conversation with those around you - you will be delighted to realize you are dining not only with tourists, but locals who still love Snappy Lunch.
You may choose to sit in the original section, near the grill, or you can head up the ramp in the back to the new dining room, which is a bit more spacious. Be sure to notice the old menu that hangs in the back of the restaurant, which was recently discovered and donated by a local citizen. Marvel at the old prices (see below)!

In 1943, Snappy Lunch employed a young man by the name of Charles Dowell, who worked his way up from odd jobs, to grill cook, to shareholder in only eight years. Mr. Dowell was the sole owner by 1960, and he began to develop his own recipes, including the now world-famous Pork Chop Sandwich. You can see Mr. Charles Dowell's picture on the walls of the business, and even though he is now retired, his wife Jamie has taken over and runs the restaurant with the same passion as Mr. Dowell.


If you haven't heard of Snappy Lunch's "World Famous Pork Chop Sandwich", BELIEVE ME, this is the sandwich you need to order.












Everything on the menu is really good, but this sandwich must be eaten to be believed. As a picky little girl, I still loved this fried pork chop sandwich, and I have always ordered it ALL THE WAY: All the way includes mustard, mayo, slaw, chopped onions, chili, and a slice of tomato. The pork chop is dipped in batter and fried on the grill top, which is the same way Charles Dowell cooked it all those years ago. This sandwich takes me straight back to childhood, sitting in the wooden booths and looking at the old pictures on the walls. The mix and balance of flavors in this sandwich is unbelievable - the tangy mustard and sweet slaw, paired with that delicious messy chili and the crispiness of the batter - you will want another one!

The menu at Snappy Lunch is basic breakfast and lunch fare, and you can't go wrong with any order. The hot dogs and hamburgers are amazing as well, and one of my favorites has always been the very unique "Breaded Cheeseburger", which is almost unheard of in most places.
A breaded cheeseburger is something your parents, grandparents, and great grandparents knew very well - mix bread crumbs with the ground beef and you will save on the cost of feeding your family! The Snappy Lunch Breaded Cheeseburger is PACKED with bread crumbs, creating an entirely new texture for your burger. The taste is slightly doughy/bready, and some say its an acquired taste, but I've been eating them since childhood, so I love it. Again, we ordered this "all the way", just like the pork chop.

























If you live in the area, and you haven't eaten here, make it a point to pay tribute, yes, I said it, PAY TRIBUTE to this excellent restaurant that is a long-time staple of Mount Airy. If you are here as a tourist, maybe even a fan of the Andy Griffith Show, you can't leave town without eating the World Famous Pork Chop Sandwich. Don't forget, even Oprah loves them! :)
Pork Chops cooking on the griddle top! Mmm, mmm, mmm, delicious!

Dining Out in Mount Airy, North Carolina...otherwise known as Mayberry

I love my hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina. Many know us as Mayberry, Andy Griffith's hometown and the inspiration behind the Andy Griffith Show. There was a time when the dining options in this town were quite limited, but now, we have many different options from many different types of restaurants. This blog will serve as a way for tourists, newcomers, day trip/road trip families, and even those who live in this great town, to discover the restaurants in Mount Airy, North Carolina, otherwise known as Mayberry! Many never venture out beyond the downtown area, and although I will be reviewing downtown restaurants, I am going way beyond Main Street! I will also post reviews of restaurants I visit during my travels, as well as in the vicinity around Surry County, for instance, Winston Salem and Elkin restaurants! If you are a local restaurant and would like to request a review, please comment here or send me an email! I will be starting a Facebook page soon, as well as a twitter account!