life
DRIVIN’ FOR LUNCH
The Diner Made Famous by Andy by Ray Linville
Would you drive two hours for a pork chop sandwich in “Mayberry,” the small town made famous by The Andy Griffith Show? The location is the real city of Mount Airy, the birthplace of Griffith and nicknamed as Mayberry for inspiring the fictional N.C. town where the show is set. Although a two-hour drive seems long, Linda Quick and Haynes Cane actually drove three hours, all the way from Bennettsville, S.C. (well south of OutreachNC’s distribution area), for their pork chop sandwiches. Linda had been to Mount Airy many times before, but this visit was her first to The Snappy Lunch, which she had heard about on the TV show. “This time I made time to have the pork chop sandwich. It’s delicious,” she adds. Fans of the show step back in time when they visit Mount Airy, which now hosts “Mayberry Days” each September, and stroll down Main Street that looks almost like it was created for the show. Most also plan a visit to The Snappy Lunch, which is next door to Floyd’s City Barber Shop. The fried pork chop sandwich is the menu item of distinction. Yes, really. All the way includes chili, cole slaw, mustard, onion, and tomato. (Lettuce and mayo are also available.) Considering its celebrated status, it is served unceremoniously -- simply wrapped in waxed paper. The menu itself is as simple as the trademark meal. The only “side” available is a bag of potato chips. No fries, no 16
OutreachNC.com | OCTOBER 2019
potato salad, no beans, no dessert. Beverages are served in Styrofoam cups. Warning: The sandwich is messy (but no one complains). You’ll appreciate the extra napkins on each table. You’ll also want to wash your hands before you leave. As you approach Mount Airy, enjoy the view of Pilot Mountain (called Mount Pilot on the show), which rises abruptly more than 2,000 feet and was a navigational landmark for Native Americans and European settlers of the Carolinas. When you arrive at the diner, don’t be surprised to find a line of customers outside waiting to be seated. (I had to wait 10 minutes when I arrived at 12:30 p.m.) After you order the signature sandwich, enjoy the memorabilia from the 1960s displayed on the walls as you sit in mid-century vinyl chairs at Formica-topped tables. A variety of other sandwiches are on the menu, but few customers order them. Almost everyone having lunch when I was there ordered the famous sandwich. The lone exception was Denise McGuire who ordered a hamburger because she remembers Griffith telling Goober on a program that they would go to the diner for a burger. She and her husband Kevin win the record for driving the farthest distance to The Snappy Lunch while I was there. The McGuires are from Cleveland (Ohio, not N.C.), about seven hours away.