Memorial Day weekend is almost upon us. First and foremost, it's important to remember the history of Memorial Day. It isn't just an extra day off work—it's much more than that. It's about honoring those who bravely gave their lives serving our country.
No matter what you're planning on doing for the first weekend of summer this year, there are many restaurants open on Memorial Day for you to enjoy. And, make sure you know what stores are open on Memorial Day just in case you need to pick something up!
Mama Dips is a full service traditional Southern restaurant that has been open since 1976. This restaurant screams all things comfort food, which makes it great for all ages. The menu literally has something for everyone. They even offer a family style takeout menu if you prefer to dine at home.
The Loop is a classic family friendly restaurant with a fun, cozy vibe. Founded in 1981, each location proudly supports a variety of charities, schools, and organizations. The menu has a wonderful selection of casual choices that includes salads, sandwiches, wraps, and pizzas. The shakes and malts are always a big hit!
Located in Carrboro, Luna has quickly become a local, family favorite. They offer South American cuisine that is fast, healthy, and full of flavor. On the menu, you will find things like rotisserie meats, empanadas, and even a wide selection of house-made juices. In addition, Luna has indoor and outdoor seating and sometimes offers live music.
Bartaco at University Place in Chapel Hill is about as family friendly as it gets. Bartaco serves upscale street food in a relaxed environment. They have a variety of seating options indoors and out. Bartaco can reduce your wait time by allowing you to join a waitlist for seating. On the menu, you’ll find things like fresh squeezed margaritas, tacos, roast chicken, sides, etc. Bartaco recenty launched their kids lunch box, which comes with a sticker sheet to keep your little ones entertained.
Breadman’s has been a Chapel Hill tradition since 1974. It was first owned by the Piscitello family until 2020 when they sold it to long term employees the Castro family. Breadman’s serves American homestyle dishes that includes salads, sandwiches, BBQ, fried chicken, and homemade desserts. They serve breakfast all day and they offer both indoor and outdoor seating.
Crossroads Chapel Hill is the perfect location for both indoor and outdoor family gatherings. With their impeccable service and vibrant atmosphere, Crossroads can provide your family with a truly unique dining experience. They are an ideal choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and their seasonal menus have an emphasis on local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. Their children’s menus provide coloring activities to help keep your little ones entertained.
You can find Brixx Wood Fired Pizza in Meadowmont Village. They utilize a brick oven to enhance the flavor of their pizzas. Their menu also includes salads, sandwiches, and pasta. They can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs with a variety of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menu items and they have a great wine and beer selection. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. Pro tip: If you’re dining with kids, get a booth inside by the chalkboard walls, where your kids can draw.
Mediterranean Deli is located on West Franklin Street and they have been a family favorite since they were founded in 1992. They offer a wide variety of fresh Middle Eastern foods and they specialize in vegetarian, vegan, organic, and gluten-free options. Over the years, their business has expanded and they now have over 60 different items in their deli, as well as a fully operational bakery. They offer indoor and outdoor seating.
Buns is a fun, casual spot that is located in the heart of downtown Chapel Hill. They serve made to order burgers and fries with a variety of unique toppings and sauces. You choose your burger (beef, turkey, or veggie), bun (there’s a gluten-free option) and size and then you add your favorite toppings. They also offer grilled chicken or salmon, hot dogs, a Ceasar salad, hand cut fries, and shakes and floats. One thing that I love about Buns is that their portions are generous, which makes it ideal for sharing!
Armadillo Grill is a Tex-Mex restaurant in Carrboro that has been owned and operated since 1993. They combine the highest quality ingredients with great service in an effort to deliver an exceptional dining experience for you and your family. Their idea of “fresh” is tortillas that are prepared right after you order them and salsa and guacamole that is made fresh daily. Their soft tacos are a fan favorite and toppings can be added to please just about any palate. Armadillo Grill also offers takeout Family Packs.
Check-out these favorite Hillsborough stops:
Hillsborough BBQ (they also allow dogs and provide bowls for them).
