Hap's Grill
Salisbury, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Here are a couple of shots of Hap's Grill in Salisbury, NC. Not sure if this is the tiniest burger place (or building) on the planet or not but it has got to be a contender. I have to believe the stairs takes up half of each floor. From the look of the interior, it appeared Hap's had just enough floor space for exactly two tables. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 04-08

Take a walk through downtown Salisbury and you might almost miss Hap's Grill. Tucked into an unbelievably narrow storefront, it's the kind of little roadside find that makes you stop, smile, and wonder how a restaurant can fit inside such a tiny space. 04-08

Hap's Grill
Salisbury, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

There's no room for a dining room here, just a small counter where customers order burgers, hot dogs, chips, and an ice-cold glass bottle of Cheerwine before heading out to one of the sidewalk tables. It's a simple setup, but that's been part of Hap's charm since it opened in 1986.

Over the years, Hap's has changed owners without changing much else. The grill still stays busy at lunchtime, and the little storefront continues proving that you don't need a big building to build a big reputation.

UPDATE: Hap's Grill remains open, and the tiny downtown storefront still welcomes hungry visitors to Salisbury. 08-26

Granny's Restaurant
Cherokee, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Coming into Cherokee, your eyes are almost guaranteed to follow the giant swooping arrow pointing toward Granny's Restaurant. It's one of those classic roadside signs that seems impossible to ignore, towering above the highway and practically inviting every passing motorist to pull in for a meal. Even if you weren't hungry before, there's a good chance you will be after spotting it. 04-08

The restaurant, now known as Granny's Kitchen, opened in 1984 and has remained family owned ever since. While the name on the building has changed over the years, the big arrow sign is still what most travelers remember. Step inside and you'll find a country-style buffet filled with Southern favorites like fried chicken, roast beef, chicken and dumplings, vegetables, homemade desserts, and plenty of other comfort food. It's the kind of place where families, vacationers, and locals all seem to end up around the same time.

Granny's Restaurant
Cherokee, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Cherokee has long been a popular stop for visitors heading into the Great Smoky Mountains, and Granny's has become part of that road trip tradition. The sign has welcomed generations of travelers making their way through town, and it's easy to see why so many people remember it years later. Sometimes the meal starts before you even park the car, and this marquee does a pretty good job of making sure you don't drive past.

UPDATE: Granny's Kitchen remains open, and the famous swooping arrow sign still points hungry travelers toward the restaurant along the highway. 08-26

Big Daddy's
Mooresville, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

While Mooresville, NC is known as "Race City USA" you have to leave the downtown area to really see all the NASCAR stuff. Just west of town is Big Daddy's Restaurant and Oyster Bar which is a curious combination of a fish joint and race cars. The sign looks like something you would expect to see at any New England seafood restaurant but the building, with all the style and grace of a modem warehouse and a roof lined with race cars, lets you know immediately that you could only be in NASCAR territory. The owner was there when I stopped by and told us the yellow truck took the number once spot in last years race circuit and as he was a personal friend of the driver, the driver wanted him to have the truck for his restaurant. If you want a seafood with a pinch of NASCAR, this apparently is the place. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 05-08

Big Daddy's
Mooresville, NC
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

If you're headed around Lake Norman, keep an eye out for Big Daddy's. The big nautical-themed restaurant has been catching the attention of passing motorists along Highway 150 since 1974, looking every bit like the kind of place where seafood is always on the menu.

Big Daddy's grew into one of the area's best-known roadside stops, adding attractions like miniature golf, bumper boats, and marina access over the years. Inside you'll find everything from fresh oysters and prime rib to fried seafood favorites. The nickname "Big Daddy" came from founder Tommy Lancaster, whose customers thought he looked like Burl Ives' character in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

UPDATE: Big Daddy's remains open and continues welcoming locals and travelers along the road to Lake Norman. 08-26