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HOP NOTCH By M ar t h a Z ay to un
n a temperate and sunny Tuesday afternoon in late May, the crowd at Chapel Hill’s Franklin Motors swelled as the post-work crowd stopped in for beer and a bite from The Roquette at Franklin Motors, the on-site food truck. The two-story gastropub has been growing since Paul Smith and about a dozen others first opened its doors in October 2021, with the hopes of creating a friendly neighborhood FAVORITE beer garden that would serve great draft beer selection food as well. Situated in Midway, the kidand dog-friendly bar is now host to a growing group of regulars from the neighborhood and beyond. Twenty rotating taps, serving a mix of local North Carolina and national beers, are set into what appears to be a giant oil can. Meanwhile, The Roquette, owned and operated by John Smith and Sarah Smith, always offers a selection of sliders and hand-cut, doublefried fries, as well as seasonal specials, such as risotto croquettes and roasted cauliflower soup. With a newly acquired smoker, they hope to add new items to the menu this summer. 56
chapelhillmagazine.com
July/August 2023