We bet you already know that the real-life inspiration for The Andy Griffith Show is located right here in North Carolina, but do you know much about the diner mentioned by name, by the man himself? That’s right, The Snappy Lunch served up hot dogs and bottles of pop to Andy Griffith when he was just a boy. And you can still order almost exactly that same lunch today.

The story of The Snappy Lunch starts in 1923, when the diner was opened by a pair of Mount Airy friends. In 1943, a young man named Charles Dowell began working there. By 1960, he owned the place. This charming storefront has seen a lot, and remained virtually unchanged.
Tripadvisor/cheryl h
Sadly, Mr. Dowell passed away in 2012, at the age of 84.
The Snappy Lunch actually has a claim to fame. Mount Airy’s most notable denizen, Andy Griffith, mentioned the diner on The Andy Griffith Show.
Tripadvisor/Mary Jo W
The diner is proud of its nod from the local-boy-turned-celebrity, but it’s proud of all its history—from the days of nickel and dime bologna sandwiches to the hot dog and bottle of pop a young Andy Griffith paid change for as a boy, The Snappy Lunch is about simple food done well.
Tripadvisor/Theresa P

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Their pork chop sandwiches are legendary in the region. They joke that they’re the only sandwich you must wash your hands *after* you eat, and that’s because it’s a masterpiece.
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Just look at that sandwich.
Mount Airy is a lovely town with a wonderful pop culture connection and a penchant for nostalgic charm right here in our home state, and we’d argue that the very heart of that quintessential small town is The Snappy Lunch . . .
Tripadvisor/Monontmr
. . . where hot dogs, bottles of pop, and nostalgia for times long past are always on the menu.
Tripadvisor/cheryl h

You can learn more about The Snappy Lunch by visiting their charming website. You might also want to follow along with them on Facebook.

So, have you been to The Snappy Lunch? Was the pork chop sandwich as perfect as you imagined? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!

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301 N Main St, Mt Airy, NC 27030, USA