We went today for their famous BLT. It truly did taste terrific. We also had the vegetarian sandwich, which also was excellent. Lots of seating outside on a beautiful day. They have somewhat extensive menu and reasonable prices. It was a clean establishment. Plan to return. read more

Stopped in for lunch based on other reviews of the best BLTs. I ordered the baby BLT and it had plenty of bacon, cooked to perfection. The tomato was great and the lettuce was crisp and fresh. Was super busy but we were able to find parking and a table. Even with the crowd the food was ready quickly. Will definitely visit again while visiting Chapel Hill. read more

Merritt’s - Baby BLT - Sandwiches Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Update: I'm an even BIGGER boy so I got and put down the 1 pounder. Absolutely recommend of you eat a lot of food like me.

Merritt's Grill is a Chapel Hill institution known for its BLT and other sandwiches plus burgers and more. The food here is worth the hype and the casual atmosphere, if dining in or outside, is nice too. These were among the best sandwiches and burgers we've had in the state. No Chapel Hill/Carolina experience is truly complete without a visit to Merritt's. Our first experience with Merritt's was at a UNC football game in 2022. Merritt's had at least one concession stand inside Kenan Stadium. They were selling Single BLTs with chips ($13 each) and banana pudding ($5 each). Both were delicious. Merritt's had always been on my list of places to try. After we had the BLT and banana pudding at the Carolina game, I knew we had to go visit the brick-and-mortar store. The restaurant is located south of UNC's campus just off 15-501 and 54. It's open for breakfast and lunch only, Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday. I'm glad this place is open on Saturday because it's hard for my wife and I to make it out here during the week because of work. Merritt's consists of a small freestanding building with a limited-seating indoor dining room and plenty of seating on one of two outdoor patios: (1) the front patio which you can see from the road and (2) a large patio in the back surrounded by bamboo. All the tables outside have umbrellas. The patios are pet-friendly. There's plenty of free parking, both in the gravel lot around the building and across the street in another dedicated gravel lot. You order and pay at one of two registers inside. Drinks, napkins, plastic eating utensils, condiment packets, etc. are self-serve. They'll take your name and phone number and text you when your order is ready. We placed our order on a Saturday at 1:01pm and I received my order-ready text at 1:08pm. Seven minutes. Referring to the wait time, I read in the News & Observer that the current owners, John and Paula Toogood, had "aimed on cutting the experience down to six or eight minutes." They succeeded. Here's a link to the February 16, 2022 paywalled article: https://bit.ly/3OeTV1X Before the Toogoods assumed ownership in September 2021, I read in various places that Saturday waits at Merritt's were anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes: https://bit.ly/3OgvNMu Yikes. There was no line when we entered, so we only had to wait the seven minutes. While Merritt's has been around since 1929, the business didn't start selling and becoming famous for their signature BLTs until 1992. That was one year after the previous owners, Bob and Robin Britt, bought the place. Merritt's was originally a gas station, garage (for car repairs), and general store. The original owners were Eben and Ruby Merritt. In May 2013, Ruby, who was 102 years old at the time, was interviewed on the local talk radio show Who's Talking with DG Martin: https://bit.ly/3OduEFx It's a good listen if you're interested in hearing firsthand the history of Merritt's from Mrs. Ruby herself. Here's a link to the full audio which originally aired on 1360 AM WCHL / 97.9 FM The Hill: https://bit.ly/3DbH3nb Here's what my wife and I had: * Double BLT ($12.35) - nine slices of bacon, three layers of lettuce and tomato, toasted sourdough, mayo, salt and pepper, plus avocado (+$2.50) * Pimento Cheese ($5.95) - housemade cheddar pimento cheese atop a bed of lettuce, tomato, and mayo * Carolina Burger ($8.25) - two 2.5-oz all-beef patties, chili, housemade slaw, onions, and mustard * Banana Pudding ($3.50) Everything was excellent. The Double BLT was just as delicious as the Single BLT I remembered having at Kenan Stadium. We both love the sourdough bread they use on the sandwiches. It's fresh, high-quality bread. The current owners also own The Bread Shop in Pittsboro. They sell the sourdough by itself here along with other breads from their shop. The BLT had juicy, ripe tomatoes and delectably crispy bacon. We love avocado and adding it was a good call. One of our local friends enjoys her Merritt's BLTs with guac. The Pimento Cheese sandwich was outstanding. It might have been the best pimento cheese sandwich I've had anywhere including The Masters. I'm not saying that to humble brag, but The Masters has some of the best pimento cheese sandwiches and Merritt's trumps Augusta. That said, it's probably unfair to compare the two as The Masters' version is much simpler and produced in mass quantities. Merritt's pimento cheese is made in small batches to ensure high quality. I love how their pimento cheese is chunky and perfectly balanced. Also, I like how they add mayo to the sandwich. Don't sleep on the burgers here. The Carolina Burger was fantastic. Again, great quality all around and well balanced. I love a good chili slaw burger or dog and this was that. The Banana Pudding was as terrific as the version we had at Kenan. It was light, creamy, and the banana tasted really fresh. Service was fast and friendly. I noticed a lot of the staff was young, perhaps UNC Chapel Hill students. read more

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The best BLT's ever. Add Avocado you won't regret it!! The staff is always helpful.

This place is so good. I had to give it another post. BLT's are epic. Service is super fast and the outdoor seating area is the perfect setting. You just gotta go and add it to your go to list. read more

Best BLT I ever had! Recently ordered takeout at Merritt Grill, while visiting from CT, and LOVED it! Our son works nearby at UNC, and suggested Merritt for lunch. My son and I ordered a double and my wife ordered a single. We will definitely return on our next visit to the NC Research Triangle. read more

I get the hype! Got the famous BLT which was juicy, flavorful and quite a high quality sandwich, as well as the pimento cheese which might have actually been my favorite. Place gets super busy with a very crowded parking lot, but called ahead and order was ready in less than 5 minutes. Such a great spot for sandwiches and a perfect lunch! read more

Merritt’s - Blt Merritts Single Sandwich Lunch - Sandwiches Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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This was my second visit and it was just as yummy as the first. And yes, we only come here for the BLT. My husband and I have a weakness when in comes to bacon. Even though next to us someone was having a burger and it looked amazing. Maybe next time. read more

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Best BLTs ever. It's hard to make the perfect BLT, but they do it. There's a reason they're constantly busy. Be aware of the lunch rush and be prepared to wait longer than expected for your food. It's worth it though. They have a standing line leading up to an order counter. There's indoor and outdoor seating. It's pretty much always busy, so be prepared to be surround by many other sandwich lovers. read more

Merritt’s - BLT and peach Nehi - Sandwiches Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

A cool little spot for lunch that is known for the BLT. I had the single BLT, which was good, but nothing special. I would like to go back and try some other options. The staff was very friendly and eager to help. read more

No notes. Bacon is crispy but also soft which makes for the perfect eating experience where the bacon doesn't crumble. The pepper in the mayo adds a nice touch. Enjoyed the outside seating- lots of shade! read more

A must in Chapel Hill. Merrits never disappoints. There's a reason The line is to The door most days. The service is fast and friendly. Even though there will be a long line, the wait time is short. The food is always spot on. I always order the single BLT. It's stacked with fresh ingredients, lots of bacon. They offer a double and triple which would be a feat to take down. You can't go wrong here. There is plenty of seating outside on nice days. Inside is a bit tight on space but there are a couple of table and window seating available. read more

Merritt’s - Single BLT - Sandwiches Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

This is a very good sandwich place: a local institution. However, it is all the better as a gathering place. Down the hill from the UNC campus it is a walk back up. Order at one counter and pick up your sandwich at another. They keep it simple and enjoy. read more

Merritt’s - Single BLT - Sandwiches Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

I've been wanting to try this place for a while now and finally got around to trying it. I got the vegetarian without onions and then replaced the balsamic mayo with regular mayo. It was super good and the sourdough was delicious! I ordered, got my food and sat down all within 10 mins, the inside is super chill- they have seating both inside and outside and plenty of it. I'd definitely come back again! read more

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Man is this place crowded! BLT to die for!! Service was fast and we sat out front at a table and the weather was beautiful. All the way from Orlando to my hometown. read more

Friendly, fresh & fast. This old gas station turned sandwich shop is a quiant local spot known for their BLTs. And they don't disappoint. Our group got a variety of tasty sandwiches that were all made fresh & fast. There is minimal seating inside however they do have a few seats out front and more shaded seating in the back corner. read more

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Where do I even begin?! What a delicious little spot in Chapel Hill near campus. These sandwiches are AMAZING! Located in an old gas station, the ambiance is very homey and southern comfort. This place definitely packs out, so plan accordingly! There is a parking lot but it can certainly fill up fast. The inside is fairly small with minimal seating, but there is plenty of patio seating out front and in the back by the parking lot, perfect for warmer days. You order at the counter straight ahead upon entry and retrieve your food from a separate counter to the left when it's ready. The service was super quick and efficient despite quite the crowd. The menu has a lot of options, including burgers and hotdogs. Something for everyone. The sandwich. WHEW! AMAZING! Best BLT I've ever had, hands down. It is HUGE and the ingredients are super fresh. I couldn't even eat all of it and had to take the other half to go. Can't beat the price, either. Will definitely be back! In fact, I'm heading there again today for lunch and can't wait! A must check out when visiting the area! read more

Merritt’s - Merritts BLT with avocado - Sandwiches Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

I had a 3x BLT with banana pudding and I was taken to a magical place. Highly recommend. Quick service, nice people

The BLT is a simple sandwich that most people can probably make in their homes without much difficulty. And so what's the draw of this perpetually bustling counter service restaurant? Without overcomplicating this straightforward sandwich, Merritt's essentially makes the ideal BLT. Their formula is, by default, slices of sourdough packed with crispy bacon, refreshing lettuce, and juicy tomato! Even the single BLT is packed with ingredients. Have come here twice and really enjoyed it both times. Plenty of seating with fast customer turnover and relatively short wait times. read more

A BLT from Merritt's was at the top of my list during a quick trip to Chapel Hill. I stopped in and ordered a single BLT to go. The gentleman behind the counter was so nice and friendly. My food was ready fast, within about 5 minutes. The BLT was tasty and the tomatoes were especially great. I'm not a huge mayo fan and there was a pretty significant amount of mayo, so I'd likely ask for light mayo next time. I thought the single was plenty filling. The interior was really comfy and inviting, definitely the kind of spot I could see myself becoming a regular at. There is plenty of parking in a large lot across the street, as well as outdoor seating. read more

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Merritt's is an institution for a reason. Several reasons, actually, but the BLT is the star of the show. Tomatoes so fresh you can almost taste the sunshine, crisp lettuce, mayo plus PLENTY of bacon. The place is very busy but they keep things moving. Lots of covered seating outside. Parking can be a struggle but it's worth the hassle. read more

Another excellent lunch al fresco. Friendly staff working at 110% speed to push out the orders. Terrific BLT, gone too soon! read more

Merritt’s - BLT!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

BLT is legit, like I made it home with bacon cooked to perfection! I was surprised to find some first class banana pudding with real banana slices and soft cookies. Yummy!!! read more

Great classic BLT for good prices. The covered outdoor seating is very nice. The "baby" BLTs were great for my kids.

This place was packed on a Saturday afternoon. Nice outdoor seating in the back. My husband and I split the double BLT and banana pudding. I don't understand all the hype for the BLT. The bacon was cold and soggy. I ended up pulling all the bacon off. So I basically had a lettuce and tomato sandwich. They don't skimp on tomatoes at least. The banana pudding was yummy. No need to go back. read more

Had the Single BLT and added some of their homemade pimento cheese. Yummy! Sandwiches are a nice size too. read more

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(5/5 stars) I visited Merritt's in Chapel Hill, NC, planning to meet my daughter--who is graduating from UNC's medical program--for a meal. When I arrived, there was an unexpected situation: a powerline had come down nearby, and fire trucks and police had the area blocked off. Many customers were understandably disappointed as the restaurant had to close temporarily. Despite the chaos, the staff at Merritt's went above and beyond. Even though the power was out, they kindly offered me water, gave me a place to sit, and showed genuine concern for everyone there. When they learned I had Ubered to meet my daughter and was stranded, they not only offered me a ride but also handed me two of their famous sandwiches--one for me and one for my daughter--because they didn't want them to go to waste. They personally drove me to the university so I could meet her. That level of kindness and service is rare. I didn't get to experience a full meal this time, but Merritt's earned my highest praise. Their compassion and hospitality made a stressful situation feel like a blessing. I cannot wait to return under normal circumstances--and I'll definitely be telling everyone I know about this place. OMG, this BLT is the best! Thank you, Merritt's team, for turning an unexpected problem into a truly memorable experience! read more

Merritt's Grill in Chapel Hill is definitely a one of a kind Classic where you can relax and feed on a BLT. That's their specialty and it's prepared layer after layer perfectly. I'm allergic to tomato and need lots of BACON! I love bacon. Merritt's started as a lunch counter operated in back of a filling station. Their BLT named "The Love Sandwich" gave them fame. They use local businesses for their ingredients and all their other products. I'm recommending you visit when you are nearby. read more

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This is just the type of place that you wanted to make yourself a regular at. Cute spot in Chapel Hill that specializes in BLTs. I love finding places that focus on something classic and just do it really really well. I placed an online order because I was on the interstate and was worried about showing up right near closing time to order. My order was ready when I arrived. I took a seat outside so they could start cleaning up the dining room inside. I got a Baby BLT and a Carolina Dog (no onions). The hot dog was really good. Well-flavored chili and cole slaw. Good size too. Ya never know with hot dog places whether one hot dog is a meal or a snack. The BLT was as good as advertised. Just the perfect balance of the simple ingredients. Even the mayo tasted better than normal mayo. Whatever the secret is, they're doing it right at Merritt's. read more

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I stopped in here for lunch after walking at the botanical gardens. I had the chicken Salad sandwich and a side of deviled eggs. This place reminded me of a neighborhood deli. The service was fast and the menu simple. This is definitely a college town spot. It was fun to see all the students in their colors and alumni with their families. read more

Great, quick service. Fresh flavors and delicious food. BLT, Turkey Sandwich, and Tuna Salad are all great.

Fast, friendly service. Best BLT I have ever had hands down. BLT may sound simple but it could be that simple to get it wrong too! Crispy bacon, crunchy lettuce and fresh tomatoes along with perfectly toasted bread makes the sandwich perfect! Love this place. It's a MUST GO for me whenever I'm in Chapel Hill. read more

Great BLT! It was 90 degrees outside but with the shade in the bamboo garden, it was very comfortable and pleasant. Finding a parking space is not easy. read more

Soooo freaking good! We came during a busy lunch time but there's a ton of seating outside for an nice day, in front and in back. We obviously got the BLTs, they were just perfect in every way. Fresh, crispy, salty, juicy with great bread. I've got zero complaints and I wish I lived closer because I would be a regular. Not even greasy! I'm in love. read more

Merritt’s - Sandwiches Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Yummy!!! Known for their BLTs but the pimento cheese sounded so good... I asked the staff what he recommended! Pimento cheese with bacon! Wow.. heaven on earth in sandwich form. Can't wait to come back! Not much indoor seating so be prepared to eat outside. Parking lot across the street because it gets busy! read more

Merritt’s - Pimento cheese sandwich with bacon! - Sandwiches Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

My wife's colleague recommended we stop here when we were in the area of Chapel Hill and boy are we glad we did! When we arrived at about 2pm on a beautiful September afternoon we really didn't know what to expect. As you drive down the street you can see a collection of cars and the parking lots are well marked with signage. You can park beside/behind the grill or across the street. Either is convenient but the parking lot across the street appears to be easier to navigate when busy. The sign on the front says Merritt's Store and Grill and there is outside seating in front. The tables all have umbrellas so they have adequate shade for enjoying your meal outside. We also walked in the back and they have a very cool outdoor area with multiple tables that are well shaded and surrounded by bamboo which we thought was a cool touch. Seating inside is very limited and with the line of people placing orders it would be the most busy/loud of the seating areas. The parking lots were very crowded when we arrived so we opted to park across the street and walk over. We went inside and immediately thought it was cute and charming. The line to order wasn't too long and it seemed to be well organized and it was clear that you stood in one line to order your food and the other counter area was for picking up your order. The menu is available online or by scanning the QR code and there were several laminated menus being passed among the customers in line. The only menu item posted on the wall features their famous BLT sandwiches: Baby BLT - perfectly sized with 4 slices of bacon Single BLT - filling with 7 slices of bacon Double BLT - sharing size with 9 slices of bacon Trible BLT - challenging with ONE POUND OF BACON The line moved quickly and when it was our turn my wife ordered the single BLT sandwich with no mayonnaise on sourdough bread and I chose the cheeseburger + bacon and we each added a bottle of water. We opted to take a seat on the bench near the pickup counter and within a few minutes our name was called. We decided to sit at one of the outdoor tables out front. When we unwrapped our lunch we both said "Oh wow, these look delicious!" My wife thought the bread was perfectly toasted, the lettuce was crisp and fresh, the bacon was delicious (in fact we would love to know where they source their bacon so we could buy some for cooking at home) and the tomatoes were garden fresh and juicy! My hamburger was also juicy and full of flavor and I would definitely order again! We are so grateful for the suggestion and we both agree that Merritt's is a must stop when we are in the vicinity of Chapel Hill. read more

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Best BLT I have had. Something so simple, but yet done so perfectly. My girlfriend brought me here and we ordered a broccoli cheddar soup + BLT. Food came out so fast and we chowed down like no tomorrow. Bacon was so flavorful and offered that amazing crunch. The seating they offer in the back is surrounded by bamboo, which I thought was a nice lil touch. Parking here can be tough! But I just recommend parking on the opposite side of the street just to make it easier. 100% will be coming back here with my girlfriend. Maybe we'll get a bigger BLT haha! read more

Always a good sandwich. A must have when back in chapel hill said our daughter visiting her hometown from Texas.

Always consistent. Always yummy. Love the vibe. Great outdoor sweating and expanded parking