Hop's Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in Asheboro

Walking around downtown Asheboro looking for a bite. Lot of the spots we googled were closed today when we stumbled upon Hops. The inside was open so we went for the board specials for Thursday. I had the Veg beef soup and sandwich (grilled cheese), wife had the chicken quesadilla with nachos and queso sauce. Her chicken was tender and had a nice grill on it. She skipped the grilled peppers (mistake) but was cheesy and the tortilla was grilled and tender. Chips were hot and cheese dip was warm and tasty. My grilled cheese was average, but that soup was some of the BEST I’ve ever had! Rich, meaty, full of grilled hamburger, stew beef and vegetables. I didn’t mention to the wife until I had a chance to google what I’d noticed, but swear I’d tasted a hint of sweet pickle juice in the stew as a sweetener. Found several Eastern European recipes on line mentioning beef stew and pickle brine. I may be wrong but will try to recreate their stew at home soon. If the chief wants to shoot me that recipe I promise not to share. Great place that’s been there for years according to the historical marker. Didn’t even try their namesake so I’ll have to...

They have the doors locked at 6:40pm. Hours are 7pm. So if you expect to come and grab a quick bite here within a reasonable time before they “are supposed” to lock up, you’re dead wrong. They don’t care about staying open until when POSTED business hours say - they close whenever and lock up. And ignore you when they see you standing trying to get in, because again clearly it’s not even 7pm yet. I figured since this joint has been here for centuries, it would be a better little hole in the wall spot. Boy was I wrong! And I will not ever go back and try to get any food from here. I’m assuming they have made enough money for the day so this little 20-25 mins they are supposed to remain open for customers doesn’t make a damn to them. That’s how I see it. Otherwise those doors would have been open and available for food and service until POSTED TIME of...

Food was alright, nothing to write home about. Came here with high expectations of Carolina style BBQ, but it wasn't really much more than wet pork with BBQ sauce on top. Additionally, had to ask another diner what to do when we first arrived, no signs saying to seat yourself or anything, Staff saw us standing there and did not assist us. Fox News on every TV is a major turn off. The floor was somehow slick but sticky at the same time, an enigma for sure. I will say food was dirt cheap, especially for how much you're getting, so that's nice. This place felt like a hole in the wall, but certainly not a diamond in the rough.

Also, none of the menu items described what the food was, and when asked the waitress did not give an answer that helped answer the question at all.

Overall, weird place, but if you only have $20 to spend, it's...