Road trip to the NC Zoo: Johnson’s in Siler City

When one has children, one must go to the local zoo. It is a parental rite of passage. Das kinder need to look at the exotic animals and the parental units need to traipse along with all the accoutrements of child rearing: strollers, hats, water bottles, diapers, etc. Thankfully, her Imperial Majesty Junior is passed that stage so all the 'rents have to do is get there and back without losing sanity.

And it is a long drive from the Triangle to the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro, and the very first time I saw it, I knew I had to stop. Even though it was closed, it just had that aura of down to Earth goodness that a 70 year old roadside diner has.

But that first time I drove passed, it was Sunday so I would have to wait. And waiting is what you do at Johnson's. Get used to it.

One recent Saturday, Her Imperial Majesty, Her Imperial Majesty Junior, her BFF and myself made our way from the wilds of North Raleigh to the wilds of Asheboro to see the lions and tigers and bears (your cue: "Oh my!"). We took US 64 west through the bucolic rolling hills of Chatham County in order to have the burgers at Johnson's in Siler City. We arrived at about 11:15 and the place was packed. I was told that there's a line waiting for them to open at 10 am.

It has everything you need and nothing you don't. The menu is refreshing simple: cheeseburgers, hamburgers, hot dogs / cheese dogs / combos, lettuce and tomato sandwiches, fries and sodas. That's it. Cash only, 'natch.

My wife and I each had a burger and we split a hot dog. The kids each had a burger with Pepsis (no Coke here) all around. So after waiting 20 minutes to be seated and another 15 minutes for lunch, how was it? Great. Everything was served hot on waxed paper – no plates or styro-food here. My burger was Carolina style – chili, mustard, onions and slaw – and was a study in simplicity. And while the Carolina Burger maybe an acquired taste to my transplanted friends from up North; it is the authentic flavor of Central North Carolina. In this, Johnson's succeeds.

In the line, we spoke to a man who had been in Johnson's "20 times" but never had the time to eat lunch. He said he came during the week but his lunch break was too short to actually get served. So he came on Saturday in order to have the experience of actually being fed. He was still waiting in line when we left. We were told on the way out that sometimes they run out of food and close up early. I can see why.

Johnson's Drive In

1520 E 11th Street, Siler City, NC 27344

Cuisine: Roadside diner

Rating: ***1/2

Prices: $

Atmosphere: Another time, another place

Noise level: moderate to high

Open: Lunch only Tuesday through Saturday

Reservations: No

Other: Counter and booth service, cash only

We rank restaurants in five categories: Extraordinary***** Excellent**** Above average*** Average** Fair*

The dollar signs defined: $ Entrees average less than $10. $$ Entrees $11 to $16. $$$ Entrees $17 to $25. $$$$ Entrees more than $25.