It was okay. Not much open on a Sunday. Gets the job done. Would I go out of my way to come back? Probably not.

Everything. You haven't had a hot dog if you haven't eaten at City Lunch. It's an institute in Lincolnton. Miss it.

This place has been around since 1957 and is a small restaurant on the Court House Square in Downtown Lincolnton. It's a favorite of the locals and the lunch menu runs heavy on Dogs and Burgers. It's a local favorite with a good lunchtime crowd and it appears to be a favorite with the Firefighters. I went a long time ago when I was active in politics because we had some functions at the Court House and it was just a short walk over but that was something like 40 years ago. A review by a fellow Yelper, Sam J. reminded me of this place so I decided to give them a try. Their hours are limited from 5am till 2 pm and not open on the weekend. With this in mind, tried on two occasions to hit this window only to find them closed both times. The first was a Monday and there was a big funeral in town with a massive Funeral Courtage with most of the Fire Department Equipment in the Courtage. Someone suggested they were closed for this. The following was the next week on a Friday and closed again. Did find that evening that they had a Facebook page and they had posted that they were going to be closed that day. I never refer to Facebook when I am looking for Restaurant Hours or Menu. Bottom line is consider calling first like I did on Wednesday. Walked in and got in line to order at the counter. Took a few minutes but I ordered the #2 Combo with is two dogs all the way (minus Coleslaw - in NC, coleslaw goes on everything) a bag of Chips and choice of drinks which in my case was a 7-UP. Gave me a cup of ice, my 7-Up and bag of chips plus a numbered tent for my table. Found a table and sat down and waited. Took a while but eventually my number was called, and I went back to the Counter to pick up my lunch which was in a Brown Bag. Went to back to my table and proceeded to lunch. The two dogs were excellent with generous amounts of delicious Chile but a bit on the dry side. Copious amounts on Onions as well. The Dogs themselves were some of the best I have had. Nice and plump with great snap and flavor. In other words, the Dogs were great and at $3.25 for the Combo, price cannot be beat. Service is good but since everything is made to order, not instantious so you have to be patient. It is worth the wait however. Ambience is casual and it's more of a hole in the wall but often those are the hidden gems with great food and prices. That's the reason they have been here since 1957. read more

See all

We didn't get to eat, bc they only take cash. I only had a card. The prices were great, and the wait staff seemed friendly. But it's one of those hole in the walls restaurants that you just know the food is going to be great, and everyone knows everyone else. And that's the negative part. We walked in and it got so quiet! Everyone looked at us, like we were outsiders, and we were. You could hear crickets. I've never had that experience. Never want to again. My advice- take cash and keep your head down, or know someone who frequents there. read more

Just a small, family owned, hole in the wall. Hotdogs, burger, chips and tea for around $5. Try it made ALL THE WAY...GOOD food and lots of friendly faces and local football talk. Nothin fancy just good!!! read more

I'm a hotdog lover with slaw. City lunch is a historical restaurant specializing in hotdogs and hamburgers. Going to this place is like stepping back in time. The place and price are from a different time. The food is still good! read more

Love city lunch. They have the best hotdogs around. We also love the breakfast plates they have. read more

You really can't find 86 cent hot dogs very often these days, and very good hot dogs at that prices are rarer still. This tiny, throw back joint offers both, in the most unpretentious of settings imaginable. Unpretentious to the extent that there is no air conditioning, and there is a screened door at the rear of the restaurant for breeze. Unpretentious to the extent that whether you choose to eat in or take out, you will receive your order in either a brown paper bag or the ubiquitous styrofoam container. Unpretentious to the extent that the warning about consuming raw or undercooked eggs is written by hand on a chalkboard. The menu is tight - a few breakfast sandwiches and plates, and the lunch one is much the same, with a daily special plate or two - and everything on each menu is incredibly inexpensive.. But we came here for the hot dogs, and it was the hot dogs we ordered - one all the way, one without slaw - total bill including tax, $1.84. These are very, very good hot dogs - a respectable wiener, a great gooey bun, and meaty chili, a little on the dry side & and in need of a touch of salt, but full of flavor, the onion are fresh, and the slaw is just right for a hot dog. Some places charge 3 times what these folks do, and still don't get it close. Great cheap eats, and that's often where you find excellent Southern Chili dogs. We did. read more

See all

I've been going to City Lunch since I was a young girl and my whole family liked going there, the food is good and you can't beat the prices for a good meal. My husband likes their plate lunches as well read more

The food hear is very tasty and the prices are incredible. They have been here at this location for eternity and are the nicest people with great service. read more

This place is a small town diner that is such a hidden gem! It's hard to believe they serve food so incredibly good at such a low cost. They are very friendly. I always get a hotdog all the way and a cheeseburger that is only 10 cents more expensive than a hamburger. I love this place but I am felling generous and thought I'd tell the rest of the Yelp world. read more

Been the best place in town to get hotdogs, since I was a kid. There's nothing like a city lunch, hotdog.

Livermush. Seriously, they have a dish named Livermush. Two words I've never experienced as one word in relation to food. Apparently similar to Haggis (Dave tried this one) it certainly will provide entertainment. Awesome breakfast and with the Big Boy plate having everything for $4 it's tough to go wrong. Bring cash...an appetite...and a desire for Livermush. read more

City Lunch - Front door! Great things await. - Diners Near Me - Lincolnton, North Carolina

In the spirit of southern hospitality I ain't saying much besides the fact that it's fast, cheap as hell and I'm never going back. Small town diners have a place in this world but I've turned into a snoddy d-bag that has certain expectations of food that weren't even in the same building. They do have RC Cola though, which is rad. read more

Everyone knows who lives here you can't get a better hotdogs. Breakfast is simple and prices are great.

Love to come here - a taste of the hometown that people from all around know about and love. Great family and hometown atmosphere. It doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is, a hot dog/hamburger home cooking place w/ southern appeal. SunDrop in a can - yes! read more

City Lunch - Diners Near Me - Lincolnton, North Carolina

The best all the way hot dogs on the planet. If your local and move away you'll search in vain but you will never find anything like them. If your just visiting they will be like a dream you had and keep trying to get back to but only have the your sweet, sweet, memories to savor. read more

The best hot dogs in NC! The price is just one of the best things about them 85 cents for a hotdog all the way (unless they have gone up a little)! Even so, everywhere else I go they are $2.00 or more! And these are AWESOME! read more

Obviously the hangout for the locals, it's an interesting little place. Breakfast, hamburgers & hot dogs and a few lunch plates. Hubby got the 2 hot dog combo minus the chili and I ordered a cheeseburger and Cole slaw. It was very crowded today so it took a while to get our food which was nothing special but our total bill was only $7.14!!! I'm not sure I understand the popularity of this place other than it's historical value. read more

I ate their last year a nice restaurant in a small town, Two hotdogs bag of chips and a drink

This place is a local spot. We are always interested in local favorites and thought we would give it a try. They have an old time counter to sit at, and you order and pick up at the counter. They only had two choices, fried chicken and hot dogs. I ordered the fried chicken, my husband had the hot dogs. My chicken was dripping in grease, and burnt on the bottom. No matter how much salt I used, it was just too dry. It was so over cooked most of the chicken had to be picked off. My husband was excited to order hot dogs. They came with chili and slaw served on top, with chips and iced tea. My husband gave them a 5 out of 10. Not great. Overall, the prices were about the best part. Two meals, less than $8.00. One last thing, cash only. We went to the ATM next door, which cost $3.00. So the meal actually cost us $10.00, only because we don't carry cash. read more

They are a great family run restaurant that hasn't changed one bit. They are some of the best people on the face of the earth and keep the food prices down because not everyone can afford a $10 meal at a normal restaurant. Everyone knows everyone in there and believe me, if you sit down and talk with some locals, the stories you will here will amaze you! The Specials vary day to day. But on Thursdays at lunch time, you can get their meat and veggie special of FRESH FRIED CHICKEN! you get hot delicious chicken with 3 veggies and a drink for less than $5.00. and these aren't small fast food type fried chicken pieces. these are massive, I have gotten it enough to know that they pile it in and hope the box can stay closed. The fried chicken is so popular you have to get there early about 11 to get it...or be expected to wait for 20 minutes for more! In the meantime while you wait for that delicious fried chicken, pay a dollar for a hot dog. If you like dessert for an extra 80 cents you can get homemade cakes that are to die for. read more

Powdered milk for coffee, no creamers, one choice of toast, cash only, depressing. I am sure there are people who like City Lunch, I am just not one of them. read more

Love City Lunch, hard to beat for the price and good food as well and they have lunch plates as well, great value and food for the price, eat in or take out read more

I want to say a few words about City Lunch. It is absolutely the BEST place to eat in Lincolnton!! Breakfast or lunch either are fantastic!! And there is nowhere in the world that you can beat the prices! We have been coming here for years. Lorna, the only waitress knows automatically what my husband eats and all he has to say is "my usual". The Greers are now like family and we love coming here. We also feel like many of the regular patrons are also family! We hope they stay open forever!! read more

Where do I start? This place is awesome! Fast friendly service and amazing food! Even though everyone is moving at a fast pace, they are sure to thank you and wish you a good day! They have the absolute best hot dogs I have ever eaten! And their plate lunches do not disappoint! Where else can you feed a family of 4, decent not fast food, for less than $20?? No where! read more

It's still here and it's still great!! The breakfast went up to $3 but it's 2 eggs, toast, bacon and now you can substitute a pancake for the grits. And coffee!!! Food is decent and fast and the coffee is hot and strong. Yeah the utensils are plastic and you order at the counter but this is down home at its finest. read more

Love em, Hate em, City Lunch is an L-town staple and the beloved "Dump-Dogs" are mysteriously delicious. Get them by the sack before they sell out for the day. Breakfast is a winner too! read more

Best Hotdogs in Lincoln County. Breakfast is great as well and cheap. Been a home town favorite a long time

I've lived in Lincolnton my entire life-- City Lunch is a staple. Aside from its character, the food is delicious and it seems they should go out of business for as cheap as it is. In regards to no refills on soft drinks/they come in cans- it is all a cost-efficent formula. It keeps prices down. Otherwise, you couldn't have a $0.80 hot dog. They've been open for 54 years and are an integral part of the community. They support the local high school atheltics, serving a free meal to football players at LHS on Friday afternoons before their games. They also cook and serve the food during the concessions stands for major sports. I've never found a better breakfast sandwich or cheeseburger for the price. If you're out of town, you must try it. And to the person who had never heard of livermush, yes it is similar to hagis, and it's a typical southern breakfast food in NC. I like City Lunch even more b/c they serve it. I get the livermush/egg/chz with tea, every Friday morning before work for $1.60. read more

Little Lincolnton staple. This place has been in town since I can remember. The regulars are more than likely not Yelp users, considering they've been going there since the can remember and...well, that's a long time. Typical breakfast and lunch grill, but the Lincolnton court square wouldn't be the same without it. If you want to try it out, make sure you get there right at noon. They serve til they run out. Best of luck and long live City Lunch. read more

Hot dog heaven and incredibly cheap, good breakfasts. Try not to worry about the sanitation rating.

Really appreciate this restaurant and the work they have done for the community. Building is old and a little scary but love the food.

Go back in time. Feel that way when I come in here. Good food cheap. Serve breakfast and lunch. A real joy visiting this classic place.

One thing is for sure, you can't beat the price. I haven't eaten this cheap since the 1970's Not the highest quality, or the best ambiance, but for the price you can't beat it. read more

Been a while since my wife and I had been here for lunch so after having our taxes done we came here for lunch. Still the same inside, if your one of these snooty types, you won't like it all but if your just every day folk and want some good, cheap food you can't beat City Lunch. Counter service only, the lady at the counter was busy that day, but very friendly with plenty of sirs, ma'ams, honeys and sweeties for everyone ordering! Since our last visit they have added to the chip selection (no fries here) including one of my favorites Lance's Golden Cheese. We got a cheeseburger, 2 hot dogs all the way, a pack of Golden Cheese crackers and 2 teas and it was...wait for it....$6!! That's right just $6. At that price you would think they forgot to charge one of use for our meal, but nope, just $6 for all that food. They also have a daily lunch special that's just as cheapl with plenty of good food. I also like eating here because it supports a locally owned, family business. I also leave a larger than normal tip here because of that. CASH ONLY! No cards or checks. Now its not the kind of place we can eat everyday, but if you get an urge for a good ol' mustard, slaw, chili and onions hot dog or cheeseburger and want to pay '70's prices then head on over to City Lunch! read more

Well we stopped into this quaint little joint to try out there breakfast, we ordered from a "not so friendly" which was fine... We ordered, drinks came out first, ordered 1 tea and 1 diet coke. This us the only place that I have been to that serves out of cans and doesn't have free refills on the soda's... Cans I say.. Well Breakfast arrived quickly it, perfect, but the home fries, were potato deliciousness... They were potato disks that i have never had before!! Breakfast was very inexpensive and delicious!! I will return here again and hope To try lunch next time. read more

Hands down best darn hotdogs ever made. In fact everything here is great. Never ever left hungry. Never left broke. Never left without a genuinely friendly smile and without meeting someone new and making a new friend. This place is the real deal folks. It wouldn't be around this many years later if they didn't do something right. read more

City Lunch is a staple of Lincolnton. The staff are great people and the food is always delicious (and really cheap!). It's really difficult to find a hotdog that compares to one from City Lunch. read more

I LOVE City Lunch!! If you go in just close your eyes and don't look around because it's a pretty scary site, HOWEVER, it doesn't interfere with the quality of food. Best hot dogs around and by far the cheapest place you'll EVER get a meal!! read more