I stay at hotel next door for business. Always bypass all other restaurants in area and make a point to get authentic North Carolina bbq with beans and greens…also pimento cheese and some hush puppies! I’m live in Pennsylvania. But from North Carolina…this is the real deal!! Always consistent. Warm friendly relaxed!! Great service!!! Really reasonable prices! A true hidden gem!!! Totally recommend!!
Atmosphere: It is walking distance from the hotel, and it may seem like a typical college bar at first, but it has more of a "Cheers" atmosphere. Everyone knows everyone. It is a house converted into a restaurant/bar. Limited seating inside, with 4-5 seats at the bar and a few tables in the main area. Another room towards the back. I went during winter break with two buddies. It was still pretty steady, and we were the only ones that weren't regulars. We joked that we felt like we were sitting in someone's seat every time a "regular" came in but were made to feel welcomed.Service: Hands down, service was great! Shannon was accommodating, super friendly, and personable. As stated, we weren't her regulars, but she made us feel very welcomed and treated us like we were. She provided the same great level of service to us as she did everyone else.Food (and drinks): Their specialty "Mules" are a must try. Drink prices are very reasonable and have a decent selection to choose from. There are lots of BBQ options as well, but I opted for the Chili special. It came in a large bowl with hush puppies. 4.9 out of 5 only because I'm not a fan of beans, but it was still phenomenal!I'm definitely looking forward to going back here again.Parking: Parking garage at the hotel down the street
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dozen Hushpuppies Veg
John V
Definitely need to go on Tuesday night when the Jamaican food truck Comes To
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
James “J.R.” Koban
This place is great for drinks and the food is always really good. They frequently have music and it's a fun place to hang out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork Sandwich
Naba Mukhtar
I had a non-alcoholic apertif, which was good, but it cost $10! That’s pretty steep for a non-alcoholic drink! The atmosphere was really pleasant through!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mari Trosclair
Just had drinks. Great spot for locals.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Elliott George
This is a good location and the staff is friendly, but the food was disappointing, especially because of how positive so many reviews are. The BBQ didn’t have much flavor and came with a sweet sauce that tasted packaged (not NC style for those who want that). The sides were very so-so without much flavor. For 17 dollars per plate, I was very disappointed. I wouldn’t go back.This is an order at the counter place. The bartender is very kind— drinks are mediocre.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Philomena Golden
Best bar in chapel hill. Food is incredible
Cary C.
Sunday Brunch at the Dead Mule is really good. Poached eggs to perfection, a real biscuits and gravy, all looked and tasted like the best fine dining restaurants. But it's not a stuffy fine dining restaurant it's a cool bar right in the middle of Chapel Hill. There so much love and history in the bar, and despite the chain restaurants and apartment building that have sprung up around it, it's retained it's home town character. The bar and wait staff are friendly and laid back but very professional and efficient. This little house bar in the middle of Chapel Hill is a treasure, I knew that, but it's a pretty good restaurant sometimes, too. I definitely recommend the Sunday brunch.
Vicente N.
terrible service and no kid-friendly at all. The current bartender was rude and I missed the old vibe. Plenty of other bars to spend my money. I called the owner to explain my bad experience and no reply. #notworthit #nobueno.
Guy told me "can't be sleeping bro." Well I'm obviously a awake, and could have asked. So I wrote this review.Environment is definitely for older folks and the wood stairs are dangerous especially if you're drunk and elderly. I saw makers mark on the shelf, otherwise, their whiskey selection is relatively limited. I ended up going to a Marriott for some Macallan.
Mitchell Thompson
Easily one of the best locals bars in the area. Staff are all great people who care. Also go for the food.
Helen L.
This is a nice little bar set back off Franklin street so it's a calmer atmosphere. They have a big patio as well as a small indoor space. It's not an undergrad hangout so it is a relaxed vibe. We went here during a home football game for UNC and it was very quiet - besides our group there were two other small groups. The bartenders were very nice and the drinks reasonably priced - I got a white claw selt but my friends enjoyed their cocktails too! Definitely a good place to check out for a causal night, they show games and have some board games too if you aren't into sports! Will be going back on a nice evening to enjoy their patio!
Paul Baxter
I've really enjoyed the folks here. Very friendly atmosphere, great drinks and food, very cozy every time I come.However, I ran into an issue on my last visit. The bartender very apologetically told me that she accidentally charged me for someone else's drinks in addition to mine. Said she would issue a refund and handed me a receipt. I thought it would be no big deal.Ten days go by and I haven't seen the refund yet, so I stopped by to ask. The bartender on duty takes down my name and number and says the owner will get back to me ASAP. That was a week ago and I haven't heard anything nor have I gotten that refund.. I know everyone makes mistakes, but I would have hoped they would make an attempt to fix it.
Brian Denton
Dead Mule has always been great, but over the years, they've made changes & updates to the menu & the outdoor seating that have been GREAT improvements without losing the original character of the place.
I stay at hotel next door for business. Always bypass all other restaurants in area and make a point to get authentic North Carolina bbq with beans and greens…also pimento cheese and some hush puppies! I’m live in Pennsylvania. But from North Carolina…this is the real deal!! Always consistent. Warm friendly relaxed!! Great service!!! Really reasonable prices! A true hidden gem!!! Totally recommend!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dozen Hushpuppies Veg, NC Pork BBQ Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Best Collards Veg
Atmosphere: It is walking distance from the hotel, and it may seem like a typical college bar at first, but it has more of a "Cheers" atmosphere. Everyone knows everyone. It is a house converted into a restaurant/bar. Limited seating inside, with 4-5 seats at the bar and a few tables in the main area. Another room towards the back. I went during winter break with two buddies. It was still pretty steady, and we were the only ones that weren't regulars. We joked that we felt like we were sitting in someone's seat every time a "regular" came in but were made to feel welcomed.Service: Hands down, service was great! Shannon was accommodating, super friendly, and personable. As stated, we weren't her regulars, but she made us feel very welcomed and treated us like we were. She provided the same great level of service to us as she did everyone else.Food (and drinks): Their specialty "Mules" are a must try. Drink prices are very reasonable and have a decent selection to choose from. There are lots of BBQ options as well, but I opted for the Chili special. It came in a large bowl with hush puppies. 4.9 out of 5 only because I'm not a fan of beans, but it was still phenomenal!I'm definitely looking forward to going back here again.Parking: Parking garage at the hotel down the street
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dozen Hushpuppies Veg
Definitely need to go on Tuesday night when the Jamaican food truck Comes To
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
This place is great for drinks and the food is always really good. They frequently have music and it's a fun place to hang out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork Sandwich
I had a non-alcoholic apertif, which was good, but it cost $10! That’s pretty steep for a non-alcoholic drink! The atmosphere was really pleasant through!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Just had drinks. Great spot for locals.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This is a good location and the staff is friendly, but the food was disappointing, especially because of how positive so many reviews are. The BBQ didn’t have much flavor and came with a sweet sauce that tasted packaged (not NC style for those who want that). The sides were very so-so without much flavor. For 17 dollars per plate, I was very disappointed. I wouldn’t go back.This is an order at the counter place. The bartender is very kind— drinks are mediocre.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Best bar in chapel hill. Food is incredible
Sunday Brunch at the Dead Mule is really good. Poached eggs to perfection, a real biscuits and gravy, all looked and tasted like the best fine dining restaurants. But it's not a stuffy fine dining restaurant it's a cool bar right in the middle of Chapel Hill. There so much love and history in the bar, and despite the chain restaurants and apartment building that have sprung up around it, it's retained it's home town character. The bar and wait staff are friendly and laid back but very professional and efficient. This little house bar in the middle of Chapel Hill is a treasure, I knew that, but it's a pretty good restaurant sometimes, too. I definitely recommend the Sunday brunch.
terrible service and no kid-friendly at all. The current bartender was rude and I missed the old vibe. Plenty of other bars to spend my money. I called the owner to explain my bad experience and no reply. #notworthit #nobueno.
Restaurantji Recommends
Guy told me "can't be sleeping bro." Well I'm obviously a awake, and could have asked. So I wrote this review.Environment is definitely for older folks and the wood stairs are dangerous especially if you're drunk and elderly. I saw makers mark on the shelf, otherwise, their whiskey selection is relatively limited. I ended up going to a Marriott for some Macallan.
Easily one of the best locals bars in the area. Staff are all great people who care. Also go for the food.
This is a nice little bar set back off Franklin street so it's a calmer atmosphere. They have a big patio as well as a small indoor space. It's not an undergrad hangout so it is a relaxed vibe. We went here during a home football game for UNC and it was very quiet - besides our group there were two other small groups. The bartenders were very nice and the drinks reasonably priced - I got a white claw selt but my friends enjoyed their cocktails too! Definitely a good place to check out for a causal night, they show games and have some board games too if you aren't into sports! Will be going back on a nice evening to enjoy their patio!
I've really enjoyed the folks here. Very friendly atmosphere, great drinks and food, very cozy every time I come.However, I ran into an issue on my last visit. The bartender very apologetically told me that she accidentally charged me for someone else's drinks in addition to mine. Said she would issue a refund and handed me a receipt. I thought it would be no big deal.Ten days go by and I haven't seen the refund yet, so I stopped by to ask. The bartender on duty takes down my name and number and says the owner will get back to me ASAP. That was a week ago and I haven't heard anything nor have I gotten that refund.. I know everyone makes mistakes, but I would have hoped they would make an attempt to fix it.
Dead Mule has always been great, but over the years, they've made changes & updates to the menu & the outdoor seating that have been GREAT improvements without losing the original character of the place.