All I heard the whole day was "ground steak sandwich, get the ground steak sandwich"! I must admit, it exceeded my expectations. Local Mt Airy hotspot introduced to me by a few friends native to the area and famous for the, you guessed it, "ground steak sandwich". This was the first I had heard of a ground steak sandwich. I'm not sure if I am simply naive, or if this is a true gem. Nonetheless, it was really tasty. After finishing the half marathon with a PR I was starving and on the verge of hangry; ground steak was apparently the cure. I ordered a sandwich built much like a barbecue sandwich with slaw, mayo, and added tomato. I ordered a second sandwich. Seasoned fries were also great. Traditional old-time diners always seem to produce the most authentic and tasty food. Dairy Center was no exception to the rule! read more

First time here, I've driven by many times and have heard good things about it. Got cheeseburger "all the way" and onion rings. The burger is different: tomato, the slice of processed cheese food, chili, slaw on a small smash-style burger. The chili had a BBQ flavor, and the slaw is kinda sweet. Not horrible but not great. The onion rings were good. The staff were friendly and the place has a cool, retro vibe. Next time I go back I'll try another sandwich. read more

Dairy Center - All the way burger and onion rings - Burgers Near Me - Mount Airy, North Carolina

I love Dairy Center. It's a little joint with minimal seating. Curb service, and friendly faces. The food is always served piping hot and absolutely delicious. They have several different options, but my favorite is a hot dog and fries. They do use red hot dogs which I think are superior in the hot dog game. Worth stopping in if you're in the area! read more

Dairy Center - Hot Dog, ATW No onions. - Burgers Near Me - Mount Airy, North Carolina

Wow! As some know, I love Dive Restaurants! And this one, checks all the boxes!! First, I'll say this experience was very emotional for me, please read to the end. We pulled in a parking place right in front of the Dairy Center mid afternoon, As you walk in they have a small counter to the left and a couple booths and tables to the right. All the walls are decorated with things from before the 60's! Also, they will also serve you in your car! We were quickly greeted by a very friendly smile. I started off with a Pepsi, even thought I'm a Coke guy. I didn't mind because this place is special. After a few sips of Pepsi, we ordered. I got a cheese burger with onion rings, ok one of the best I have ever had and the Onion rings were the best!!, My oldest Grand Daughter also got a Cheeseburger with fries and polished it off and loved the crinkle fries! The youngest Grand Daughter got a Grilled Cheese! Our waitress was amazing, Hannah went above and beyond to make my Grand Daughters feel very special that day!! She made the oldest smile sooo Big after a VIP experience it was very heart warming! What Hannah didn't know at the time was that the oldest was diagnosed with Leukemia just after Easter, and smiles do not come that often. As I took a picture of those two, they made me tear up.... There is so much good in the world and I wish everyone would have seen Hannah's beautiful heart that she shared with these girls! Also, the gentleman flipping the burgers was amazing as well, he could be the owner! He was soft spoken with a giving heart! If you live in the area, please stop in and say thanks to them, and enjoy the food and service! If you are passing by, don't pass up this hidden Gem! As my friend and neighbor Lee sings...God Bless the USA! read more

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I visited this restaurant on a sunny warm afternoon because i felt like sone ice cream. They were not very crowded so I was able to order my sundae right away. The counter people were friendly and had my order done quickly. There size was large for the price and tasted good. The dining room was clean and comfortable. I would come back here again if I get the taste for ice cream again in the futture. read more

We went there just for the chopped steak sandwiches which didn't disappoint. These sandwiches are local to the Surry County area. We drove just over 90 minutes to see Mt Airy and again partake in this rural delight. There is just something about the heat of the black pepper and the sweetness of the coleslaw that makes these sandwiches work. I also had a chili slaw dog which was on point. The fries are the standard frozen crinkle cut but were not overly cooked. And just know, the tea is sweet. The ladies working were pleasant and helpful. The building and eat in area is small. It's a drive in from the 50's and it shows, in a good way, from the pictures on the wall to the bottle collection. Cash only so be prepared but don't expect to break the bank. If you're near Mt Airy, drive by and try the chopped steak sandwich. read more

No covid precautions in place here - no staff wearing masks or gloves, including person preparing the food. Very small dining area with no social distancing between tables. Hand sanitizer at the register was the closest precaution I saw. We ordered our food to go and ate in the car in the parking lot. While ordering we noticed the grill. There were maybe 8 burgers on it - but there was no sizzling or heat coming from the flat top - the burgers were obviously already cooked. Cheeseburger was thin, dry, and presumably placed on flat top to melt cheese, bun wasn't particularly warm, resulting in barely melted cheese. Husband got 2 Carolina style dogs - they were average, although he did remark that the slaw was good. Overall disappointment. Would not return. read more

Dairy Center - Posting hours as I had difficulty finding any on line. Hopefully this helps someone - sorry for the janky angle. - Burgers Near Me - Mount Airy, North Carolina

Great sandwich shop. It ranks right up there with Snappy Lunch and O'Dell's. And their milkshakes are great Get the ground steak sandwich and the pineapple coconut milkshake read more

Just and old school hot dog and burger joint. Love the feel of something that isn't main stream and a one off location. We had the ground steak sandwiches, FF, and onion rings. Great service with a smile as well. This is just a great little place to go back in time. Wish there were more places like this. read more

Please take the time to eat here as it is well worth the stop. The ground steak sandwich is amazing. Such a great place. Order frankfurters and ground steak sandwich. read more

Dairy Center - the front of a dairy center - Burgers Near Me - Mount Airy, North Carolina

Bad service, just not nice at all. Food not good. Dont visit , not old time feel of a burger bar.

I enjoyed my experience at The Dairy Center the ambiance is a 60's style diner the waitress's were very nice and did a good job. They serve Pepsi products which is always a plus but the food was just average. I would stop back in if I was in the area. read more

Me and my fiancé went there a few minutes ago and we spent over $30 on food. We've always gotten food here, with NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. But today, our fries are so salty we don't even want to eat them, they taste absolutely AWFUL. So, I called the place, spoke with a manager and he told me "I don't think there was too much salt" and I said "There definitely is. We don't even want to eat our fries that we paid well enough money on. There's nothing you can do about it?" and he just says "Nope that's how they come now." I do not believe this is how a business should be ran and I definitely didn't like the person I spoke with. Customer is always right in the food business! Terrible service & terrible attitude. read more

I grew up on ground steak sandwiches at snappy and canteen. We now go to the dairy center to get our ground steak sandwiches. Freddie's seasoned fries and egg sandwiches are also great. I also worked there when I was in high school. The place brings back a lot of good memories Everytime I go there and always glad to visit with my friend Freddie Hiatt who does a great job running the place. Chuck King read more

This is as old school, as small town, and as unpretentious as you will find no matter how many places you visit, no matter how many towns you search. It is a small place, worn and scruffy looking, the walls covered with photos of local people, places and events. You can see an old newspaper article featuring the Ground Beef Sandwich at Snappy Lunch, including a color photo of it, and you can find an article on the restaurant that sold the first foot long hot dog in Mount Airy. And, of course there are faded, dusty photos of athletes and sports team in abundance, and other locals of note, at least of note to other locals.. It is the sort of restaurant that is a bit loud, even with only a few customers there, the sort of restaurant where most folks know more about each other than just their names, and the sort of restaurant where it always seems to be a bit too cool in the winter, and a bit too warm in the summer. And it is also the kind of restaurant, that even if they don't know you, they welcome you like they did. The food we ordered here was the same as at our other stops on this day in Mayberry, oops, I mean Mount Airy - a hot dog, a cheeseburger, and a Ground Beef Sandwich (called Ground Steak here), along with a small cup of house made Black Cherry ice cream. All three sandwiches were the best we'd tasted so far, and all three would be re-ordered. The ice cream had a rich, real cherry taste, and was the thickest I've encountered - broke two plastic spoons digging it out of the cup. We enjoyed this stop, reminding us of our youth, somewhat different, but much the same - becoming harder to find those moments. read more

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just came in for ice cream. Had fudge sundae, strawberry sundae and strawberry ice cream. Only OK. Did not seem to have the taste of much cream. strawberry ice cream did not have much strawberry flavor despite coloration and haf a gummy consistency? read more

Been eating at Dairy Center for years! Great staff and service. My only issue is, something changed in the slaw it seem a tad bit spicy or could be the chili. Other than that great place to pull into and get car window service. read more

Good burgers, hot dogs and ice cream. This place has been in business for years. I took my Mother-in-law a few months ago, and she liked it. Enough said! read more

Read the reviews and had to check this out. The ground steak sandwich, chili dog, seasoned fries, banana pudding ice cream were all awesome! Neat little place that has been serving since 1952. A true gem of a place. read more

Absolutely love it! Try to come in every time I come to Mt. Airy. Great ice cream. It's like going back in time.

The Dairy Center is awesome. Their ground steaks are the best. I was just their yesterday, and I'm already wanting to plan another trip to Mt. Airy to eat their again. read more

Friendly, fun and great food. This takes you back to the '50s. Breakfast is what we had here. My coffee cup was never allowed to get empty. Now that's a great start. My eggs over easy were cooked to perfection and served with local sausage links and to die for sweet potato pancakes. My husband could not make up his mind which type of pancake to order. The cheery waitress never blinked an Eye when he said, "I will have one buckwheat, one sour dough and one sweet potato pancakes." He was even asked if he wanted his syrup warm. Now that is impressive. If your like us and look for a place that is not a chain and is where the locals go, then this is a great place for breakfast. P.S. hubby liked all the pancakes but Sweet Potato was his favorite. read more

If you want to go somewhere where the local's go this is the place to be. The Dairy Center is locally owned and in my opinion better than Snappy Lunch. The prices are cheep and the company is cheery. The hot dogs are delicious and if you have never tried a Ground Steak Sandwich here is the place to try it! Forewarning, this place is greasy but to die for! read more

So much better than chain fast food got the double cheese burger it was outstanding and the ice cream is out of this world small seating area but quick and courteous service if in the area skip the chains and try a local restaurant you will be glad you did read more

Classic old school diner atmosphere. A favorite of locals. Always get fries with meals!

Tasty hotdogs, flavorful chili. Pineapple milkshake is Yummy! Cash only! read more

I visit this place often. The food is fantastic and the ice cream isn't bad either! Dinning in has limited seating but they take curbside orders. Overall a great place to eat and the hot dogs are the best you will find. read more

If you are visiting Mt Airy and had to choose one restaurant to eat at, I would make it the Dairy Center. The food is absolutely delicious. I'd highly recommend a chop steak sandwich, hamburger or hot dog all the way. read more

Instead of eating here, drive another 20 miles south and eat at the Dairy-O in King It's so much better! Our hot dogs were red-dye and the buns were wrinkly. Very disappointing. read more

the hot dogs are awsome. Ground steak sandwich is delicious. The staff are courteous and friendly. Ive had almost everything on the menu and have always been pleased. Great job. You can eat inside the restaurant(about 8 tables and a few counter seats or you can just sit in your vehicle and they will come out to you and get your order and then bring your food out to you...... read more

I like everything here except the French fries. Wish they had the crinkle cut kind. Can't beat the ground steak sandwich!

Greatest there is! LOVE Their burgers and their black cherry ice cream is out of this world! Nut sundees are awesome there!! Freddie the guy that owns it is very nice, great cook! LOVE THIS PLACE! Highly recommended!! read more

My family and I happened upon this place by accident on vacation, and we could not have been more pleased with it. The staff is very friendly, and the ice cream is out of this world. I have never had a better bowl of ice cream in my life! It was so good that we went 30 minutes out of our way on the way back home to get ice cream there again. Definitely worth the stop! read more

Had my first sliced BBQ sandwich here and it was delicious!! Always love going to Dairy Center. They have great people working there. Walk inside and it's like stepping back into time. Everyone is friendly and speaks to you. Even the other customers look up and greet you. The food and prices are great. If you don't want to get out of your car, they're have car hop service too! read more

Delicious! A must have is the cheeseburger with chili and slaw (the whole works) AND try the sweet potato pancakes!

Hey this is a good place . I've come here often and it's just good food and service . I eat the burgers , hot dogs , and got to have the ice cream. Prices are great ! read more

Eat at local restaurants. Dairy Center offers the classic burgers, hot dogs and fries that most fast food restaurants offer, but, they're much better! Try the ground steak sandwich all the way and you won't be disappointed. read more

Dairy Center is a classic! The Dairy Center makes everything better. Even a trip to the doctor when you was a kid. What about those delicious old fashion dogs & burgers before a ball game? Today, it is my favorite place for a hot dog. Ummm! Ummm! Good food! Good memories! read more