Location: 309 W 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Disclaimer: The following review should be taken with a grain of salt, given my brief encounter with Green’s Lunch. As mentioned in my post related to Vic the Chili Man, I dropped in to get a quick bite to eat, one simple hotdog. My attraction to Green’s Lunch was an easy one, the sign outside building that states they serve the “City’s best hotdog”. Although my time was short, I think I saw all I needed to make a educated review.
Green’s Lunch is a Charlotte institution that has been around since before the Great Depression, which to me was ironic because depressed is how I felt after walking out of the building, wanting my money and my hunger back… The restaurant may claim to have the City’s Best Hot Dog, but I think that both the proclamation and rumors of such a claim, have been greatly exaggerated.
The Good: If you want a cheap meal Green’s Lunch delivers at every level. Breakfast is extremely inexpensive, with their priciest item being a mere $5. Lunch is also ridiculously cheap, as one can get a sandwich for about $2 and a hot dog for even less.
One additional positive is directed specifically to those who are in elementary or middle school (or have an unambitious palate). The menu, with items such as grilled cheese, hot dogs and bologna sandwiches has a perfect combination for those who just got out of little league practice. If you are a adult (legally and mentally) you may (should!) have an issue with this.
The Bad: As mentioned, the menu might not be as pleasing to those who are old enough to drive. As much as one might like hamburgers and hot dogs (and I do), they aren’t exactly the most sophisticated foods. There are plenty of places in the city that can spruce up a good hamburger, but Green’s Lunch was much more basic with their delivery. If I am going to a neighbor’s backyard cookout that is one thing, but I really have no compelling reason to visit a place that serves food like this greasy spoon.
The hotdog was good enough, due mainly to the fact that it was a hotdog; but it was nothing special and the bun was cold, which to me is sin: hotdog 101 says you should have a toasted bun.
The serivce was the same, they weren’t rude, but they weren’t overly friendly either; it felt more like they were tolerating me rather then serving me.
The Ugly: The place was just depressing, it is quite possible I went on the wrong day or at the wrong time, but I don’t think this was the issue. Don’t misunderstand me, there are a number of establishments that last the test of time because they serve amazing food and their servers, over the course of a short meal, manage to make you feel like you were a part of something greater than the food. Green’s Lunch, is resting on the counter of forgotten laurels; 1930 called and they want their building, their buns and their hotdog water back.
The Verdict 4 out 10: I must admit, I don’t get the appeal of Green’s Lunch. The food was uninspiring, the service wasn’t that good and the atmosphere was depressing. It is more than fair to say I disliked the entire experience. I understand that this is a Charlotte institution, a diner that has survived all of the major physical and social changes to the city, but these facts alone don’t make up for my lackluster visit. Many people will visit this restaurant just because it is “iconic”, but just because something is old doesn’t make it good.