Don't let the name fool you, this place is the furthest thing from a dive bar that I've ever seen. It's almost as if they were going for irony with the name...let's make a really upscale restaurant and call it a dive bar!! It would be like renaming the Angus Barn to something like the Beef Shed. I'll start with the two desserts...we couldn't decide between the three desserts they had so we settled on two. Both were freaking amazing. Almost ordered the third to go. The Chocolate tort with Nutella gluten free was creamy and deeply rich in flavor. The Espresso Panna cotta with strawberries was lighter and subtly sweet and perfect. I also couldn't decide between one entry so I got the Vietnamese pork chop and the smoked wings in plum bbq sauce...the pork chop was just okay but everything else that came with it was really good...those vegetables rocked! Now the plum wings...that's unusual and was definitely something that was downright flavorful...I would get them again for sure. My girlfriend is gluten-free and picked this place just for the GF chicken and she was blown away. I tried it and I was blown away. Usually GF food is not good, grainy, and lacking real depth...not this place. This was in all likelihood the best gluten free friend chicken I've ever had and it was half of a freaking chicken! Soooo many fries. We ended up taking half of it home and it made a complete second dinner the next day reheated in the air fryer. Definitely somewhere we will return very soon. The atmosphere is cozy and small and the perfect place for a date night. Also, their GF chicken is better than Beasley's GF chicken...just sayin!! read more

The hostess, bartender, and our server were all exceptional. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, the lighting is perfect, and the U-shaped booths are spacious and comfortable. We were a party of six in a hurry to get to an event, and our server was fantastic--every drink and dish came out quickly and efficiently. I ordered the quesadilla, and I have to say it was the most beautiful quesadilla I've ever seen--and the flavor was out of this world. Everyone at the table loved their meals. Our only disappointment was the small ramekin of olives for $5, which felt a bit steep. We will all be back. read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Quesadilla with braised pork - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

If I could give this place 10 stars I would. We had a small work event on the patio at Hanks. Not only was it the perfect spot, the service was impeccable and the food was wonderful. read more

Such a cute spot in Downtown Cary!! The service here is absolutely phenomenal. It started to rain torrentially as I was walking into this spot and their wait staff graciously gave me a clean dish towel to dry myself off as they mentioned their bathroom paper towels would not be as helpful. It was very kind of them! The food here is also delicious. We ordered fries for the table, and my friend and I split the steak and NC tide fish. I'm still dreaming about the beans the fish was plated on. This will now be added as a spot I will take out of town visitors. I would recommend small parties only as this spot is fairly quaint! read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Steak - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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It's delicious and John at the bar is fabulous! Hubs and I truly enjoy cozying up to the bar for dinner and drinks at Hank's. The fried chicken, flounder, burrata, and the caulidilla are ALL fantastic. Loved the roasted oysters too. The flavors are poppin' and the innovation in the execution of the dishes and the plating always gets me. Like, burrata with no bread wanted or needed-- love it. IYKYK. Oh, and that freaking panna cotta with the pomegranate is absolutely EVERYTHING! It's truly a sleeper, but not to be missed (ever). Compliments to the chef and John. We love Hank's and we'll be back again and again. Cheers! read more

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Bottom line: I like Hank's: the vibe, the service, and the food all hit the mark. If you're curious, give it a try. Just plan your seating and parking like you're playing Tetris on Level 9. Parking/Accessibility: It's in Cary, and on our Friday night, it was slammed--cars, people, the whole scene. We ended up across a busy road by the little Amtrak station. Not ideal with a busy road to cross. Other nights might be easier, but if you're coming on a peak evening, build in time to hunt. Interior/Vibe: Much nicer inside than I expected: busy, jovial, and a lively bar with plenty of seats. We had made reservations (a good call, as it was packed) and chose the patio only to discover that our table sat right in front of the main corridor between the inside and outside areas. Cue the noise tunnel. There's not much sound-dampening inside either, so volume runs hot. One of our five actually popped in concert earplugs--yes, truly that loud. Next time I'd request a corner patio table or sit inside away from the entrance if conversation matters. (-1) Food: We came for the gluten-free fried chicken and it delivered--crisp, juicy, and legit delicious... also gloriously messy. The honey glaze is sticky (wet naps would be a thoughtful add). Portions are generous--splitting the chicken is a smart move. Oysters? Excellent. Tons of gluten-free appetizers (all but one when we went), so this is a strong pick for GF folks. Salad was simple but solid. The only miss was the burrata--watery and a little bland. Otherwise, everyone at our table ate very well and left happy. Service: Very good overall--friendly, attentive, and our food came out hot. The only small bummer: when we asked for a honey-mustard-style dip, the options were just spicy mayo or more honey. Not a dealbreaker, but a tangy option would sing with that chicken. Pro Tips: Reserve for peak nights. If you want conversation, avoid patio tables by the entrance; ask for a quieter corner. Share the fried chicken (wallet and waistline will thank you). Bring wipes--or hope Hank's adds wet naps. GF diners: you'll have options. Stars: 4/5 (would be 4.5 if the noise were tamed and parking was easier) read more

Wow I wish wish I lived in this adorable downtown Cary' families, Christmas lights, bars restaurants. Love. Passed by this place, as a single not really wanting a dive bar, skipped 2x. Then, consulted Yelp. What a great experience Gold rush, my new fav drink Wine selection with a wine I was unfamiliar (Spanish, starts with an S) Despite wanting to order the elevated best fried chicken of your life enough for two, I opted for eggplant fries in a spicy red pepper sauce, crisp, dip panel and full of flavor. And the oysters. Perfect I will go here always when near Raleigh read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - What amazing wallpaper - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Food was unbelievably good and service was spot on even though they seemed very busy for a Monday. Jason the bartender was great. Lots of gluten free options. Had the pasta and the friend chicken. Both amazing! I've never had fries with green beans but that combo was awesome!!! The white bean hummus also tasted so fresh! I would highly recommend this spot! read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Split a couple dishes with some friends and everything was delicious. Really not a dive at all. Upscale gastropub vibes. Started with the Caulidilla - a cauliflower quesadilla. It was very tasty and easily sharable. Would definitely recommend. The fried chicken is enormous and great for splitting with someone else. The chili honey that it comes with is incredible and really differentiates it from your typical fried chicken option. The fries were also crispy and cooked to absolute perfection. Also got the flounder which was good and had some unique flavors to it as well. Would definitely return. read more

Let's take a moment to appreciate just how divine this fried chicken is. Perfectly crispy, juicy, and served family-style with a generous pile of golden fries, crisp green beans and drizzled with chili garlic honey--this is the kind of comfort food that feeds both the stomach and the soul. The Moore's Farm broccoli was a standout side, bringing a fresh, earthy balance to the richness of the chicken. And let's talk ambiance--charming, cozy, and the kind of place that makes you want to linger just a little longer. Cary, you've got a gem here. No question--I'll be back for more. read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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Our server, Lily was beyond spectacular. This restaurant was already amazing but she made it too tier. This will now be my official date night spot thanks to her. Make sure to ask for her..she will make your experience even better. She clearly knows he stuff and even though it was busy,she take the time for each and every guest. read more

Today at 7:51pm, my husband and I came in requesting for a table for two, and were told we wait an hour so we decided to book and walk around as we wait, I called 30mins later with a different name only to be given a table Asap! read more

Great ambiance and vibe and lived the service at the bar. We tried several popular drinks and loved them all. The fried chicken was juicy and crispy--big portions and fries--and my wife raved about the lasagna. The real winner was some puft pastry bread thing w Indian curry spices or something...wow that was a tasty treat to start. We'll be back for sure...this was our 2nd time (we went last year visiting from our home in Austin, and now we live much closer in Richmond). 5 stars. read more

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The food menu is limited but was of good quality. The service at the bar was good. Attentive. Made great drinks. Ambiance was very nice. Multiple people appeared to be on dates. read more

This little cute restaurant in downtown Cary is an entire experience. The portions are huge. I had the oysters and pork shank and both were delicious. The drinks were very very good. The fried chicken was enough for my two friends to share. The lasagna was average. My friend's portion was big but it wasn't something we'd get again. The Korean cauliflower was amazing. I wouldn't order the carrots again either. Our server was being trained and was as kind and attentive as could be. read more

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We often drive to Raleigh and the surrounding area, and always make it a point to eat at Hank's during our visit. We like everything about Hank's-the atmosphere, the staff, the food. When eating at the bar alone chatting with the excellent bartender, John, or seated at a table with friends, It is a comfortable, delicious meal filled with many gluten free choices, some regularly offered dishes and some new and interesting options. We've never been disappointed. read more

Always delicious and varied. John, the bartender, is friendly and makes good suggestions for the food. Hank's is one of my favorite places when visiting Raleigh or Cary. read more

So it was pretty good. The tacos are 7 dollars a taco. The fried chicken meal is MASSIVE. So many fries, but the sauce that it's baked with is amazing. The beef and broccoli was just okay. I'd come back again but it's a little bit on the pricey side for the quality. Still good though. Nice atmosphere outside as well as inside. read more

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The oyster both raw or cooked are must have ! Great service! Nice design and decor! The shrimp and grits was on the salty side! Otherwise it was a perfect meal! read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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1st year anniversary for Hanks Downtown Dive according to Matthew. Well lighted with view of Chatham Street in the Sunroom patio seating indoor and outdoor seating. Excellent heirloom tomatoes on grilled toast with basil is the fresh appetizer. Double Wrapped Tacos, shrimp, house made potato chips, and a special sauce is a delicious presentation with broccoli. Dozen fresh oysters on the halfshell from Pamlico, North Carolina was tasty, briney flavor, accented with horseradish, lemon slices, and a mignonette. I highly recommend that you visit Hanks Downtown Dive to enjoy the New Orleans style blues and jazz music, the well lighted dining and delicious food. Ask about the story of Hank. One of the best restaurants in the Downtown Town of Cary. read more

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We found Hanks on yelp and boy did we luck out! Our server Naomi was wonderful and made us feel at home. The restaurant had the best vibe! The food was nothing short of spectacular. We had heirloom tomatoes, olives, lasagna and fried chicken. Next time we are in Cary, we will definitely be back! Thanks Naomi read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Heirloom tomatoes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

One they could stick to a reservation time. 30 minutes later we get our table. Then a group of patrons moved the outside heaters closer to their table. I complained to waitress and hostess. They said they could not do anything about it. read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - These heaters weee two feet closer and centrally located. Evidently the table requested they be moved closer. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

The food here is fantastic. Not a dive bar, so the name might be a tad misleading -- like the family next to us found out, they don't have burgers. But it was really good. The service was great too. Will definitely return! read more

The food is passable but the service is...55 min in we were asked if we wanted to order more. We replied that we still hadn't received mains. Server replied "ohh that's because I haven't sent them! It shouldn't be too long". Also asked what flour was used to make fried chicken gluten free and the response was it's kind of a secret. Cool but allergens mean you need to answer some basics with an answer between I have no idea and nuts. In writing this still waiting for those mains and unfortunately wondering will they arrive before our babysitter calls it a night read more

LOVED it. First time here, and if you're in the mood for it, Hank's is near perfect. But let's start with what Hank's ISN'T: -A dive. It seems that the name is meant to evoke a casual vibe (which it does superbly), but this is high-end small plates and specialty cocktails, in the heart of Cary's revitalized downtown. - Cheap. This isn't a "lots of food for a low price" place. Think of it as a New American/fusion edition of the concept of tapas--small bites (but big enough to share) paired with drinks in an unhurried atmosphere that can be one part of your evening downtown. If you're budget-conscious, maybe make this one stop in an evening's activities that also involves a food truck or a pizza slice from Di Fara's. Now, some that Hank's IS: - A place with great service. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable (he'd been working there since it opened). Staff that delivered the food took the time to check if we needed anything else. And our drinks were brought out to our patio table by the bartender--a nice touch. - A place for great drinks too. The owners also own Sidebar down the street, and the bartender at Hank's is at the same level. You don't have to limit yourself to their cocktail list--if you want that Paper Plane, be assured that it will be perfect. - A place that will make both vegetarians and meat lovers happy. Our vegetarian daughter loved the white-bean hummus, crispy cauliflower, and strawberries and cheese. My wife and I are seafood fans, and we thought both the ceviche and the oysters were great. But for us the star of the night was the Burrata. If I have to come up with a complaint, it's that the hot sauce that comes with the oysters lacked punch. And finding parking (especially on a Friday night) can be a challenge. But neither issue will prevent us from coming again. - read more

Excited for the latest bar in Cary to open up, Hank's Downtown Dive! Brought to you by Matt B. from SideBar, Hank's is a lighter and more modern take on a traditional "dive bar". In fact, it's not really divey at all. Lots of windows, a nice sunken patio and bright green decor highlight the space. A shorter list of beer, wine, cocktails and drinks on tap to quench your thirst along with a small menu of eats (snacks, tacos and some plates). The space looks like some fun and should attract a nice adult crowd from Cary. It's brand new so I expect lots more changes to the menus and cocktail list, enjoy! read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

What an amazing restaurant! I took clients there for a business dinner and Hank's did not disappoint. We stared with Crispy Cauliflower, Mushroom Toast and Roasted Oysters. All amazing! I gotta say that the Roasted Oysters are to die for. The menu has them listed in a pineapple sesame butter, to me it was a sweet buttery broth with a little garlic hint to it. Just pick up an oyster and slurp it down. Yummmmy! Everyone of my guest ordered the Ribeye. When it came out, we were all surprised that the presentation is sliced! I have never had sliced Ribeye, strange..... I am here to report, it was fabulous. Melt in your mouth tenderness, with a flavor explosion of the awesome blue cheese (ask for extra, just sayin') and creamy horsey sauce. I snapped a pic, but it doesn't do justice to the wonderful presentation. Service was on point, very attentive and friendly with great recommendations. I found the cocktail menu to have a good mix of traditional cocktails as well as some craft ones. We tried several and they has great flavor, served with a nice amount of alcohol. Overall this place is really awesome and I cannot wait to go back to try the fried chicken. read more

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Hands down the BEST food I've had in a long time From the starters to the entrees, Hanks is delicious The food is so tasty and gourmet The chef really knows how to cook excellent I come from New York and I have eaten all over in my travels This is by far one of the best Anything you get on their weekly changed menu is cooked to perfection and so fresh I go every week and sit at their cozy bar The drinks are excellent and the bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly The atmosphere of the restaurant is so warm and inviting The employees are wonderful And the owner is hands on and very personable You HAVE to go to Hanks! Don't let the name fool ya It's far from a dive read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Hanks fried chicken with French fries and green beans Drizzled with a honey chili sauce - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

I had to come back. This time I was solo and just ponied up to the bar. Started with the olives and the gold rush (a bourbon concoction of amazingness), and had the lasagna for my main meal. The fact that all of this was gluten free made it all the more impressive. Love the ambience and service here and plan to work my way through every delicious item on this menu. Highly recommend. read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Lasagna, gold rush cocktail, house made olives - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

I am not sure if "dive" accurately describes this very cool and very laid back spot in downtown Cary. My friend and I absolutely loved this spot as soon as we stepped in. From the welcoming staff, to the patch work on the walls, to the bar selection, and yummy food options--Hanks is just an amazing spot! I love that they are making downtown Cary a go to spot! My friend and I got there about 45 minutes before closing, but we still got amazing service, food, and drinks! I got their NC shrimp taco that came in a crispy shell with shrimp, potato chips, and onions topped with a spicy aioli sauce. Omg! This was one of the best tacos I have had in a very long time! Soo good! I have never had a taco with potato chips before, but this will not be the last time. My friend got their broccoli and beef that was topped with mozzarella and honey jalapeños! Sooo good as well. That combination of spice, sweetness, and saltiness was just right! To drink we both got old fashions, which were delicious. Both smooth, easy, and so great to drink! I wish we would've had more time to hang out as the atmosphere is just so cool. I love that they have gender neutral bathrooms with super cool decor. This would be a spot I would go to on the regular! Great prices, atmosphere, and food! Cannot go wrong!! Go!! read more

Second visit and stellar once again. Had the ceviche, which was the best I've ever had. Also had one taco each but honestly didn't need them. Had some bites of my friend's salad, which I can't remember what was in it but it was delicious. Drinks were on point. Pricey but so so good! read more

My wife and I did a date night at Hanks and had a throughly good time. Things Hanks does well: - The food was very good. My wife did the tacos, fried cauliflower which was also excellent. I had the fried chicken which as a person with celiacs greatly appreciated it as being gluten free. It was a very yummy but unusual take on fried chicken which I would be very pleased to do again! The portions are large ... come hungry. - The restaurant is clean and down to earth. Definitely did not have a dice feel but more of a casual friendly feel. - The location is a good spot with theaters and ice cream parlor near by. Nothing bad to say. I do think though that the restaurant is missing an opportunity by not doing more with the outdoor patio seating which is secluded and sort of private. My wife and I are definitely coming back! read more

Still amazing! I had to share this heirloom tomato appetizer on a slab of sourdough with house made ricotta. It blew me away! read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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Our waiter, Cameron is fantastic! He's so professional and customer service oriented that I thought for sure he is an owner. He laughed and said no unfortunately "I am not!" The food is great. Our group of three enjoyed the heirloom tomato appetizer; the cauliflower appetizer; and the most juicy and crispy fried chicken. A great night - you must try this restaurant read more

Such a great local Cary spot. I have found myself having a meal at their bar more than once in recent weeks. The cocktails are delicious. Their menu variety is great for sharing. I think they update it regularly, so I can't wait to come back and try some updates on the future. read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Fried chicken definitely sharesblet - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Best friend chicken I have ever eaten, cool Vibe and amazing staff. Will go again for sure read more

Hank's Downtown Dive - Fried Chicken Bucket - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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Five stars for cocktails, food and service! Started with the Cantaritos (draft cocktail), which I've had several times and is consistently delicious. My husband and I shared the Heirloom Tomato starter and Fried Chicken entree, and would get both again. The fried Chicken is a MUST! The fries are perfectly crisp and pair well with the drizzled honey. Our server was perfectly attentive, always there when we needed him and gave us room to enjoy date night uninterrupted. read more

Great food. Great service. Great ambiance. Parking sucks but that's the worst part and I still give this place a five star review! Must check this place out! read more

Combines a sophisticated feel with a relaxed and chill aspect to it. Unpretentious and welcoming. Food was satisfying and loved the short menu read more

Lovely spot in Downtown Cary. We sat on the patio since we had a dog with us and it was cozy. We split three small plates - roaster oysters, shrimp and rice, and the shaved asparagus. The oysters were amazing - perfectly done and tasty. The shrimp and rice is Very spicy but went well with the asparagus that had homemade cool and creamy ricotta under it. Our waitress was excellent and we had a great experience. Would definitely go back! read more