Franklin Motors

4.5 ( 144 reviews )
Checking... 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM See Hours
$10–20
601 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, United States
+1 919-869-7090
Franklin Motors, located at 601 W Franklin St in Chapel Hill, NC, delivers an unforgettable dining experience that has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Renowned for its fresh, scratch-made offerings, the menu highlights include a variety of flavorful salads like the Caesar and Garden Salad, plus delectable shared plates such as the hand-cut fries and savory wings, known for their perfect seasoning and generous portions. The atmosphere at Franklin Motors is charming and inviting, enhanced by a dog-friendly outdoor setting, which John V appreciates, especially with local beer options like Boulevard Tank 7 available. Regulars like Taylor Thompson and Alexander Borgs rave about the friendly service and seasonal delights like the Irish hot chocolate. The latter even compared their exceptional fries to gourmet fare found in Barcelona. Highlights extend beyond food; the vibrant community vibe and accommodating staff create a welcoming environment. Whether you’re there for a breezy evening on the deck or a cozy meal with friends, Franklin Motors impresses with every bite, solidifying its status as a culinary gem and worthy destination in the heart of Chapel Hill. With a mix of comfort fare and local brews, it’s a spot you’ll want to return to time and time again.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
  • Highlights
    • Has fast service
    • Has great beer selection
    • Has rooftop seating
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves comfort food
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has gender-neutral toilets
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Good for groups
  • Planning
    • Doesn't accept reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs available
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed

Reviews For Franklin Motors

Taylor Thompson
Apr 30,2025
Love Franklin Motors! Always a classic spot. Delicious food, great beer selection, and wonderful seasonal Irish hot chocolate!
John V
Apr 12,2025
The food from the food truck is top notch and unbeatably cheap. Awesome local brews. Great spot. And dog friendly!
Alexander Borgs
Apr 11,2025
In three days eating out in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, this was was the most fresh, well-seasoned, and best portioned food I’ve had. The fries are second-to-none and there’ll be a lot of em (shareable size). The wings are actual wings - tip, flat, drum - and the sauce is (for a lack of a better word). These guys are friendly, service oriented, and very accommodating! I’ll be back. Also for the beer, since they’re serving Boulevard Tank 7 at Franklin Motors, whom they share their outdoor seating with. Also, they’re pet friendly, which another brewery down the road was not. Glad we came here to spend our hard earned money.
Jordi Roman Romano
Apr 5,2025
If you read my reviews, don’t typically put five stars on all the elements but this place is for sure 5 stars plus . The atmosphere is great. The food is made from scratch and the service is outstanding. It is a hidden jump for sure. November 15 update. I tried this Thursday. The bistro fries. The meat was on part with any mat Tapa I tried in Barcelona Spain.
Chris Pippen
Apr 4,2025
Went to the soft opening and had a great experience. The food was very tasty (had the bratwurst, hand pies and pimento cheese). Great vibe and loved the second floor deck and outdoor spaces for hanging out. Will definitely be coming back!
Jessica Z.
Feb 28,2025
I was visiting Chapel Hill for the day and decided to walk up Franklin and check out a few bars/restaurants. This was my favorite stop. Chill vibes and had 20 beers on tap. Indoor/outdoor seating with a few people who brought their doggos to hangout. They also had a food truck with basic bar bites like sliders and fries that were delicious. 5 stars!
Isabella Grandic
Feb 18,2025
This spot ROCKS! Love the upstairs fairy light rustic vibes. The Caesar salad is award winning. Mac n cheese was also impressive. They have a nice selection of beers too. Pretty casual, but in a nice way. Apparently the fries are delightful. Would happily come back. 12-18 for food.
Justin Husted
Feb 7,2025
Changing my review up a bit. The beer is still good, the staff friendly, the place unique, but the permanent food truck there really bombed it last time. The guy cooking did not seem 100% stable and our food arrived over 45 minutes after we placed an order. Go for the beer, maybe not so much for the food truck.

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