I have only eaten there once, this past Saturday, and it was for breakfast. We (the Mrs. and me) were meeting someone in Mt. Airy and this was where he wanted to eat. I was actually excited about eating out on a Saturday morning. The parking lot was crowded as was the restaurant. We sat ourselves at one of the tables by the front windows. The table had been cleared from the previous diners but the chairs were still askew, as with the other table. We sat and waited. We were eventually seen and our orders taken. I had the Derby Special. Two eggs any style, choice of meat, potato, and bread. $4.32. Coffee was $1.29. My two eggs were scrambled, bacon, hash browns, and a buttermilk biscuit. The biscuit was good. The eggs had a smooth consistency and led me to believe they came out of a box. Next visit, I'll ask for fresh eggs. The bacon was well done, thin (as in about a half inch wide) and wavy. It reminded me of microwave or pre-cooked bacon. The hash browns were, well, how can I say this....sparse?, crispy?, slimy? Maybe I should just say the hash browns were having a bad day. Did I mention the biscuit was good? It was $20.00, with tip, for the three of us to experience a Derby breakfast. An hour later, I still enjoyed my Derby breakfast as I could still taste that nasty bacon in the back of my mouth. Two stars. I was really hoping for a much better start to the day. On the good side, the rest of the day could only be better. The Mrs. Just proofed this review. Her comment "If this is the only place you go for breakfast and you don't know any better, it would rate five stars". read more

We had to stop eating there. It is too dirty which is sad. I would like to support local businesses but it is disgusting.

I'd like to give it a higher ranking, but I judge on the whole experience. Food - 4 stars. My food was good. My wife seemed to enjoy hers. My 2 year old son enjoyed his. Service - 4.5 Stars Our service was very good. She checked on us often. Ambiance - 3.5 stars Has the character of an older diner. Unfortunately, not upgraded in any way. Doesn't seem to be any pride in upkeep. Cleanliness - 2 stars We were hungry, it had good Google reviews, and just wrote it off as "Greasy Spoon". We've been in worse. Floors are swept. If they mop them, then they need new mops! Highchairs are sticky. Tables and booths are sticky. This is when you use the same rag over and over, without rinsing or using any cleaner. Did have some flies around. This can happen anywhere...but when a place is dirty and/or messy, it sinks into your mind more. Restrooms - 1 star. I'd say 0 stars, but they did actually function. However, all I can say is, "Wow!" I've been in dirty biker bars with cleaner and fresher smelling bathrooms. Outside of these metrics, the patrons there were exceptionally nice. An older gentleman came over to our son and gave him 2 quarters, after doing the same for another child in a wheelchair there. Quite thoughtful. He's from the old guard, you can tell. A very different and easily argued, better generation. Parking was plentiful. Two doors to enter/exit. Prices were inexpensive. A little outside the tourist area, but, there's potential here. Some elbow grease, some paint, some renewed enthusiasm and vision from the owner, and I could see this place being one of those "must visit" stops. The food was good. So if it wasn't for some, then just some consistency makes the hardest part done. The other things I mentioned are easy and inexpensive to take care of. read more

One of my favorite restaurants. I make sure I stop whenever I'm in the Mount Airy, North Carolina area. My favorite is the spaghetti and green salad. The sauce isn't fancy, but flavorful. You can taste the garlic and basil, it's perfectly seasoned. The green salad is a very simple salad, but the bleu cheese dressing has a little zing and i really like it. I asked about the brand of the salad dressing, but the young lady didn't know. This place is old, the booths aren't the most comfortable, and there's absolutely nothing fancy about the place. But I judge a restaurant on food, not the decor. Five Stars from me! read more

This restaurant is featurning on "Our State" and has the best Fried chicken I've ever had. (A special feature in Our State focused on it) it's been held by the same family for 81yrs. The food is true to it southern roots, but the only problem is the service. The quality of service will depend on who is working that day. So I earnestly suggest morning or lunchtime,( they have a great selection of breakfast specials that range from less than $5 to about $7.50) But after about five pm all week the waitstaff becomes slow and neglectful of their customers. You can always tell the difference. The food is great, but the service needs work in the evenings. read more

This place used to be awesome. Used to be. But now it's going down hill quickly. Stopped in today for breakfast. I got the 2 eggs and 8oz stake. Eggs where good but the steak was about 2oz of meat and 6oz of fat. Long story short I think I'm going to stick to the Waffle House for breakfast from now on. read more

Best hush puppies I've ever eaten The waitress recommended the Chicken Pie great choice I think the collard greens were canned but everything else was excellent. Would recommend. To anyone Great stop on vacation For desert strawberry cobbler with ice cream. read more

Great breakfast and home cooking. Don't expect anything other than a 60s diner with good meat and 2 veggies. But breakfast is inexpensive and just like mom made read more

Got there vegetable beef soup and grilled cheese. Grilled cheese was ok but vegetable beef soup was gross. Taste like cigarettes and was cold. This was my 1st and last time eating here. read more

Love it there was going today but it closes at three on Sundays. Food there is always so good and a good amount. Best hush puppies ever. I've never eaten anything there they wasn't good. Definitely a place to keep on going back to read more

Very neat place to eat . Lots of choices to choose from. Home cooking, sandwiches, salads and more. This place has been here a very long time. Service is good too. Very reasonable prices and specials offered too. read more

Stopped onto this great little place on the way back to Charlotte from WV. Great home cooking and friendly staff. Wasn't a huge fan of the hush puppies, just kind of greasy and flavorless. I had the meatloaf which was wonderful. My teenage sons both got the special if the day, unlimited dried flounder. They were in heaven. I'd definitely stop by again the next time I visit Mt. Airy. read more

By far my favorite restaurant in Mount airy. Great southern food and service. Couldn't get better!!! Its a local landmark and you gotta try it! read more

While the decor could use some updating the people, service and the food were great! The portions were huge and properly cooked. Mary had the Derby Burger with Cheese, lettuce and tomato. And as a side the hot chips. As she told the waitress, the chips could have been an appetizer for the table it was so big. She said everything about the burger was right on! I ordered the special, Fried Flounder with Baked Potato, Cole Slaw and Hushpuppies. Like the hot chips the Hushpuppies were served in a basket big enough for at least 2 or 3 people. And it was all good even tough we could not finish it. We will keep this place on the the radar because the combination of people, service and great food is a winner. The only thing keeping it from scoring higher was a health department score of 92. read more

Great place to eat. It's been in mount airy longer than most people have been alive. Cheap food great service.

My wife and I have eaten there several times over the years with inconsistent results. The last, and I mean the last time we ate there the food was not fit to eat. The fried chicken tasted and looked like it had been cooked the previous day, near black and greasy, mashed potatoes were "instant" and tasteless, the fried squash looked like they came out of the trash bin and also filthy with grease. The coffee was luke warm but the refill was hot, Hush puppies were good as usual but I think they have changed the receipe for the cole slaw as it was not as good as usual. Service was good. read more

Breakfast to fill a southerner's heart! The eggs and grits were perfectly prepared. Country ham and sausage were just right. Even better is that the coffee was hot and good, and the server, Judy, kept the cups full. The decor could be called "retro," but "original" is a better description. It is a very clean and pleasant restaurant. We really enjoyed everything about our meal, the service, and the place! read more

Kept looking around for Andy Griffith. This is a classic greasy spoon breakfast/lunch joint that has Mayberry-esq low prices. Definitely order the hash browns and add an extra egg to their breakfast special. Two can eat breakfast with coffee for around $12-15 with a 25% tip for the great waitstaff. read more

I could eat some dirby anytime. . Good local cheap food.. I'd highly recommend it to anyone

Dated decor takes you a step back in time. I was waiting for Flo to tell me to "kiss my grits" but the staff was friendly. We had the BBQ platter. Very generous portion with hush puppies and fries. Hush puppies were good but a tad greasy. We also has the marinated chicken salad with Derby dressing. Large portion and their signature dressing added a very nice flavor to the salad. read more

Absolutely horrible.. I ordered country style steak it was cold -- place should shut its doors !!

Best spot in Mt Airy for meet and 3. I love the fried chicken, county style steak, and all the veggies. The salad with Derby and Blue Cheese dressing is a classic. Wonderful hush puppies too. If you are in Mt Airy this is a must stop. Excellent for breakfast too - tenderloin and eggs. read more

This place is adorable! Good food, but the 5 stars are for the atmosphere and customer service. They were so friendly, and this was such a down home southern experience. Definitely visit if you are in the area! read more

Supports local high schools with discount sports cards. Good prices and great breakfast

Best hush puppies I've ever had. Really good fried chicken. The sides were fine. None of them were fresh, as in freshly prepared, but that's typical for southern food. The two of us ate lunch for $15 before tip. read more

I used to love the Derby. Never had a bad meal before. I remember coming here when I was a kid. Its a Mayberry institution. But last weekend my opinion was changed albeit temporarily. Craving a hamburger we stopped and I opted for the 8oz ribeye special. "Barbed Wire" wouldn't describe this piece of meat accurately. I ordered it med rare. It came burnt on the outside and completely raw/cold on the inside. I have ordered raw steaks in the past but this was barely out of the freezer. I waved the cook down, a teenager who looked as if he belonged in a garage instead of a kitchen with the amount of grease on his apron. I asked for medium well this time. It came back still dark red and cold but more charred on the outside. Still asking myself why I tried to eat it. I guess I didn't want to hurt the guy's feelings. Worst steak EVER. The salad was good and I huffed it down in a heartbeat while my steak was being scorched over and over. I won't say I'll never eat there again, but I will stick to the veggies and fish. Big letdown. AT LEAST THEY DON'T HAVE SMOKING NOW. read more

Old, authentic, clean, great smells of the grill cooking all kinds of foods. Had good service and enjoyed it

Save yourself from this place! The 1940's came and went and left this place as it was...outside not cleaned up...inside worse! Still we thought we would give it a try since the ratings were admirable. What a colossal mistake!! I now know where my mother-in-law's "homecooking" was defined. I ordered "the special"...ham and 3 sides. I thought what could be bad about this? The ham was cooked on a griddle that was easily not scrapped cleaned in a week or maybe more. The "garden peas" were right out of the can. The mashed potatoes were plentiful - INSTANT potatoes. The applesauce was right out of the can too. My two other companions had equally bad meals. (I lost all credibility since I was the one who read the reviews on this site and selected this restaurant/greasy spoon.) If "homecooking" is out of a box or can - this is the place for you. Cleanliness is a whole other topic...and I won't mention the number of flies in the place! I can't even be kind about the staff...dumber than dirt. When I called from my cell phone because we couldn't locate the restaurant - NOT ONE - could give us directions in the tiny 3 block mainstreet town. We found out after more driving around we were literally 2 blocks from the place. I've traveled all over the U.S. and Europe...nothing was this bad - not even the greasy food in a small town in Switzerland - at least that place was clean and with an inviting atmosphere. read more

This place could be a real gold mine if the owners would spend a little money on it . Food is good when it's busy . Staff is friendly .

Had fried flounder. Service was excellent but if you are looking for greasy fish and French fries, this is the place. My wife almost got sick from the greasy fish. Probably one of the worst meals we've ever had. Won't go back. read more