Most of the reviewers are out-of-towners who don't know enough to order what Harmanco's does best. This was originally a small burger and pizza joint with a couple of tables, a 10 stool counter and curb service that was a huge teen hangout for about four decades. While seating capacity is now roughly ten times larger than in the old days, it still has excellent burgers and way above average pizza for Albemarle. Possibly Harmanco's has the best hamburger in town, but it is a toss up between their Harman Cheeseburger the Goody Cheeseburger at the Goody Shop downtown. Harmanco's without a doubt has the best char-grilled steak for the money in town. I like the NY Strip best myself and plan to eat one tonight. In Albemarle the only better steak is downtown at a place called "The Boardroom" where you'll pay way more for an only slightly better cut of beef and a stuffy atmosphere that enables them to charge much higher prices at the bar. Harmanco's spaghetti or the giant fish sandwich are good choices if you are on a budget or expense account but really hungry because both are usually tasty and filling. The daily specials are always worth checking on the marker board when you first go in and usually are good values too. Portions in general are ample and the wife usually carries home a take-out tray of leftovers. Harmanco's is smoke free now as all restaurants are in NC, but they have a smoking area outside setup in a newly constructed patio area where patio tables are possibly going to be installed eventually, but there are no tables or seats at all on the patio at this writing. Appetizers I like there include chicken wings and the fried green beans. This is a favorite meeting place for all the adults in my family for special occasions like birthday dinners, but we don't eat there every week. If the place looks packed, expect that the service is not going to be very fast or efficient and stick to pizza, burgers, steaks or the daily specials and you'll be much better off. Keep to the basics that the locals eat and you'll be happier there. The menu is bloated with a bunch of exotic things like Cajun offerings that once were a staple of this place under previous management when it went through a Cajun phase. The current Greek owner does many things well such as burgers, spaghetti, pizza and steaks, but Cajun isn't one of the things he does well and you are best off staying away from anything Cajun there. All locals know better than to order outside of what they do well. The salads are good with dressings served on the side. The bread is just OK. The bar prices are among the most reasonable in town with many regulars showing up daily for brews and conversation with their chums. There is parking on all four sides of this place and no matter how busy I've always found a space. read more
