YIKES. ELMO'S DINER
Had bad lunch at Elmo's last Saturday in Carrboro. Friends milkshake glass had huge chip of sharp glass missing. Server was going to get new glass, then we said hope glass isn't in shake. Finally got new shake. All our fries were stone cold, No bacon on two burgers. Got new fries and bacon out after we had basically finished burgers. Then, icing on cake, After splitting bill and leaving, my friend looks at bank statement next day and realizes she was charged her part $14 and then another charge for $31. The only reason we went here was the recs of other chowhounders. Chapel Hill and Carrrboro have many better places. Choose wisely!
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Elmo's Diner
N Carr Mill Mall, Carrboro, NC 27510
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re: girlwithcomputer
romansperson
Jan 14, 2011 05:17 AM
What I don't get is that for a place no one on this board seems too happy about - it always seems to be packed. When I've been to Carr Mill Mall on the weekends, there will be a huge line of people waiting to get in, and you can go over to Panzanella and get a seat with no problem. I'd pick Panzanella every time over Elmo's.
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Panzanella
101 E Weaver St, Carrboro, NC 27510 -
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We live a mile away, and we keep going back. I have no idea why. There aren't a huge array of diners in Carrboro - I find Breadmen's too packed and generic, Mama Dips is mediocre - so we hit up Elmo's because, well we can. I LOVE the lunches at Neal's, Sandwhich, Vimala's, Med Deli, Buns - there are loads of options in the vicinity, but no decent diners, so Elmo's it is. Meh.
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Breadmen's
337 W Rosemary St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516›2 Replies-
re: blweis
LulusMom
Nov 10, 2010 04:50 AM
Have you tried 501 Diner? I actually like it a lot. It's the place on 15/501 right behind Trader Joes. It isn't as great as it used to be (they used to have things like chicken couscous regularly on the menu - really interesting stuff), but it is still good for diner food. Definitely better than Elmos.
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501 Diner
1500 Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-
re: LulusMom
Yikes...when we moved here from NYC in 2008 I was psyched to see this always packed diner. Then I tried it once. Corned beef hash on the menu--cool! I love corned beef hash. I asked the waitress if it was made in house. She thought so, but decided to check with the kitchen staff. I saw the whole thing.
Waitress: "We make our own corned beef hash, right?"
Cook, huge smirk on face: "Nah. It's canned!" he said as he picked up the can and showed her.
Waitress, looking directly at me, huge smile on her face:"It's canned. You still want it?"
Me: "No thanks. Toast and eggs over easy will be fine."
I didn't ask if the eggs were from a box, but I will never eat at the 501 again.
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I was there on Friday night - there was a short wait, but no busier than usual for weekend dinner. The staff was working hard to stay out of the weeds, but the manager on the floor (who was also serving as hostess) seemed to be getting in their way. At one point I overheard a waiter complain that half his tables were empty even though there was a crowd waiting to be seated. My meal was standard, nothing remarkable but nothing wrong either. They've never been the #1 best restaurant, but I go often and they are usually serviceable (which is all I really ask of a diner). I'm not sure what was going on this weekend...
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