own 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 San
dwich", BELIEVE ME, this is the sandwich you need to o
rder.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 Cheese
burger", 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!
I've never ate at Snappy Lunch or had the pork chop sandwich...but it looks great! I didn't know Andy Griffith ate there.
ReplyDeleteYes, he ate here as a teenager! Charles Dowell used to tell me stories about him when I ate here as a young girl! Amanda, it is SO DELICIOUS!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in/around Snappy Lunch & have probably had every thing on the menu. I have never eaten anything that wasn't delicious! My favorite's are their biscuit's! Tenderloin & egg to be specific, but I wouldn't turn any of them down! The biscuits are huge & they put so much meat on them that I have t taken some of it off. The price is so cheap that I often wondered how they could make a profit...and Charlie Dowell? He lived across the street from me for years. Many times, I called in my order & picked it up on the way to work. There were so many times when I got there for the order...Charlie would say "NO CHARGE". That's a true story. There's no other place like Snappy. If you ever get the opportunity...go there. You won't regret it. RIP Charlie. You were an awesome person!
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