Sutton's Drug Store

The venerable Sutton’s Drug Store is a mainstay on Chapel Hill’s main drag, Franklin Street.Credit...Lauren Vied Allen for The New York Times

Sutton’s Drug Store: A Chapel Hill fixture since 1923, Sutton’s is probably better known for its diner-style fare and family-like atmosphere than it is for ever being a pharmacy (CVS took over the pharmacy portion in 2014). They’re famous for their burgers, except on Tuesdays and Thursdays when you can get 2 hot dogs plus fries for $3.25. Photographs paper every possible surface, a tradition owner Bill Woodward began back in 1983- look closely and you’re bound to find a famously familiar face or two (or even perhaps your own!).

Anyone who feels connected to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, whether they’re an alumnus or someone who has grown up cheering on the Heels, most likely has a special place in their heart for Sutton’s Drug Store. The nostalgic diner has been a local favorite since 1923, and it’s here where you’ll find a mix of great food and good ol’ UNC pride. Come for breakfast or lunch—though you may choose the latter if you’re partial to milkshakes and hot dogs—and soak up an only-in-Chapel Hill kind of experience.

Sutton’s has been a staple on Franklin Street since 1923, hinted to by the hundreds of vintage photographs of smiling diners plastered to its walls. In fact, when you stop in for lunch, you’re likely to spot a group of UNC athletes huddled in a booth plunked down amid shelves of aspirin and orthopedic insoles. You might have to wait in line for a seat at the counter, but once you’re there, order a hot dog and one of these classic Oreo milkshakes.

• Sutton’s Drug Store is a “blast-from-the-past”, still-operating drug store, complete with an old-school sundry bar dating back to the 1950s. It’s one of the last independent pharmacies of its kind, and has hand-spun milkshakes, sandwiches, old-fashioned candies, and sodas, perfect for a quick stop in. This is also a well-known hangout for UNC basketball players, if you’re interested in meeting some local celebrities while you’re in town.

A true local landmark, Sutton's Drug Store has been serving Chapel Hill since 1923. This old-fashioned soda fountain and lunch counter maintains its vintage charm while serving classic American comfort food. Their milkshakes and burgers remain largely unchanged over the years, making it a nostalgic favorite for alumni returning to town.

Sutton’s Drug Store in Chapel Hill, North Carolina has been a mainstay in the town since the late 1800s. The drug store was started by Dr. William Sutton, who was a prominent doctor and pharmacist in the area. Since then, it has become a beloved local landmark, where customers can find anything from candy to prescription drugs.

Everyone has been there, just check out all the photos on the wall. While the pharmacy is no longer in operation, you can still find all of the old fashioned staples and hot off the grill eats that attract new Tar Heels and keep customers coming back year after year.

As you walk into Sutton’s, you feel like you are part of a long tradition of the town. Hundreds of photos of customers paper the walls and even hang from the ceiling along with UNC jerseys. You can fill your prescription here and get lunch while you are at it.

Legendary Sutton’s Drug Store serves breakfast every morning until 11am. If you’re in the mood for heaping breakfast plates and made-to-order sandwiches surrounded by photos of past and present Tar Heels, this is the place to be!

159 E Franklin StChapel Hill, NC 27514(919) 942-5161 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Sutton’s Drug Store is an old-fashioned dining establishment and local institution dating back to the 1920s.