Salem Street Soda Shop - Apex, North Carolina

*** The long time owner of the Salem Street Soda Shop and building sold it to new residents moving to Apex from out of the area. The shop has been remodeled and opened under the name "Salem Street Pub" and serves sandwiches, sodas, various beers. ***


The following is the original review of the SSSS in 2007...

The Salem Street Soda Shop is located in the center of the downtown historic district in Apex. The Soda Shop is a quaint little breakfast, lunch and dinner shop specializing in homemade sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs and homemade desserts. It's located in an old downtown store that served in a past life as the town's dry cleaner business, owned years ago by the current owner's father. Wade Baker, Jr., converted the old dry cleaner site into a soda shop style restaurant complete with old drugstore style glass display cabinets, a long soda counter serving area with bar stool seats, and several booths and tables for group seating. Behind the counter is an 1950's style soda counter for creating fresh squeezed orangeades and lemonades, ice cream floats, milk shakes, banana splits, and sodas served fountain style.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the shop serves home style cooked-when-ordered food that's always fresh and tasty. The menu lists a complete selection of soda shop style sandwiches and creations. The burgers are hand pressed and cooked on the spot. One of the most popular items is the home-made chicken salad (the chicken salad sandwich is one of the most popular lunch items). The shop gets crowded at lunchtime since it's a favorite of downtown merchants and town residents. Go early to place your order and get a seat without having to wait in line. Be sure to order at the counter first, then get a table - a practice required by the soda shop to make the limited seating available to those that have ordered food.

Our favorites: Chicken salad sandwich, burger and cheeseburger, both served with chips or potato salad. Hand made vanilla or chocolate milk shake or fountain soda. The hot dogs are a favorite also and are great with chili and slaw - another southern tradition.

Location:

113 N. Salem St., Apex, NC 27502

Telephone:

919-387-6506

Hours:

Monday -Friday 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday: closed

Smithfield's Chicken and Bar-B-Q - Central and eastern North Carolina

A favorite eastern North Carolina restaurant for over 25 years, Smithfield's is always a good choice for fried chicken or barbecue eastern NC style! The chicken is always crispy and fresh from the fryer. You can get barbecued chicken on request.

The vinegar based barbecue is popular in the eastern part of the state. Chopped and flavored with a bit of pepper. Combo chicken platters are available with white meat or dark, served with potato salad or fries and slaw along with hushpuppies. Sandwiches provide a generous portion of chopped barbecue without or with slaw (an NC tradition). Try the "value-pak" for a best buy - sandwich, fries and a drink.

If you are from the area sweet tea is a "must have" choice. Most folks from other areas don't understand the local fascination with sweet tea but quickly adopt it.

Our favorites: Chicken white platter or valu-pak sandwich and drink.

Website: Smithfield's Chicken and Bar-b-que

Locations: All around the area and extending to the coast

Roast Grill - Raleigh, North Carolina

The very best hot dogs in the triangle. If you like hot dogs this is the place to go. Served only two ways - regular and burned - straight from the grill, always hot and fresh. An assortment of drinks is available but the most popular is Coke in the traditional small Coke bottle.

Don't expect extras and for sure don't ask for ketchup! Ketchup not allowed. If you must add toppings you can get mustard, chili and onions.

A favorite lunch spot in the heart of Raleigh. There's limited seating so go early or late or plan to stand in line. The dining area consists of a long counter and a row of bar stools. There are a couple of small tables along the wall but usually not available. Plan on sitting by people you don't know and you may even find a state senator or representative next to you!

Website: Roast Grill

Location: 7 S West Street, Raleigh, NC 27603

Telephone: 919 832-8292