Hank's Downtown Dive

Restaurant · Cary

Hank's Downtown Dive

Restaurant · Cary

1

111 E Chatham St Suite A, Cary, NC 27511

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Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null
Hank's Downtown Dive by null

Highlights

Hank's is a trendy spot in downtown Cary serving up fresh and flavorful small plates, like their famous gluten-free fried chicken and creative tacos, all in a vibrant atmosphere with excellent cocktails.  

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111 E Chatham St Suite A, Cary, NC 27511 Get directions

hanksdowntowndive.com
@hanksdowntown

$30–50 · Menu

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111 E Chatham St Suite A, Cary, NC 27511 Get directions

+1 984 464 2524
hanksdowntowndive.com
@hanksdowntown

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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"Don’t let the name fool you. This downtown Cary spot serves fresh North Carolina-sourced seafood and seasonal small plates in a dimly lit, bohemian-decorated atmosphere. Don’t miss the gluten-free fried chicken or the bottled dirty martini with house-made brine and blue cheese stuffed olives." - Sarah Day Owen Wiskirchen

8 Essential Restaurants in Cary, North Carolina
View Postcard for Hank's Downtown Dive

Trace Palmer

Google
Spectacular is not good enough, four of us ordered the beets, elotedia, fried chicken and hanger steak. Nothing disappointed, the fried green beans were the eclectic surprise, but everything was awesome. Brittany did a fabulous job, perfectly attentive but not over bearing. Will dine here again!

Emily K

Google
It is so cute (not at all a dive) inside! They are very knowledgeable about gluten and have many options. The fried chicken was delicious and I really liked the fries. They also have fun cocktails, and my friends enjoyed their meals as well.

Amanda Madison

Google
I love Hanks. I had been a few times before for cocktails and snacks but not for dinner. I've previously only sat at the bar and their patio so was nice to sit inside recently for dinner. It's cozy and adorably decorated. Their cocktails are really good. Their crispy eggplant was a winner for us both. My husband enjoyed his steak but absolutely the highlight of the night was the fried chicken. We didn't realize how large of a portion it was and we absolutely could've shared. The server referencing it as their "bucket of chicken" should've clued me in. 4 crispy pieces in a spicy honey sauce. Served with fries and fried green beans. It somehow all works. Great spot in downtown Cary to have drinks with friends or a date night. My husband and I left dinner and walked around Downtown Cary Park.

Marc Metry

Google
This is the best sit down restaurant in the Triangle. Hands down. Everything is amazing, and their fried chicken plate with garlic honey will transport you into a different dimension (get extra sauce on the side and dip your perfectly fried chicken for every bite). And get a seat at the bar if you can.

Angela Moretto

Google
We had a great dinner at Hanks with a few minor critiques. We ordered burrata, oysters, fried chicken, steak and pana cotta. The burrata itself was good but there is no reason to cover it in nuts and dried fruit. Burrata is amazing on its own with just some balsamic and olive oil with some bread. There is no need to cover it in chewy nuts that get stuck in your teeth. The Panacotta was the same way, covered in nuts and dried fruit. Panacotta is amazing on it's own. There is no need to smother it with nuts again. The oysters were out of this world fresh and not chewy at all! The fried chicken was enough for a family but delicious!

Eric Bliss

Google
Great ambiance and vibe and lived the service at the bar. We tried several popular drinks and loved them all. The fried chicken was juicy and crispy--big portions and fries--and my wife raved about the lasagna. The real winner was some puft pastry bread thing w Indian curry spices or something...wow that was a tasty treat to start. We'll be back for sure...this was our 2nd time (we went last year visiting from our home in Austin, and now we live much closer in Richmond). 5 stars.

Michelle Pavliv

Google
We met some friends for drinks and appetizers. My $16 glass of wine was good. My $7 french fries were tasty and crisp. My $0.50 ketchup was a ridiculous charge and a great way to prevent a return visit. REALLY????? A charge for 1 tablespoon of ketchup! EPIC FAIL.

Adam Pringle

Google
Wonderful spot featuring delicious unique takes on approachable dishes. You can tell they care about their food and our service at the bar was exceptional. Our server/bartender John was able to answer questions and made great recommendations.

Dan B.

Yelp
LOVED it. First time here, and if you're in the mood for it, Hank's is near perfect. But let's start with what Hank's ISN'T: -A dive. It seems that the name is meant to evoke a casual vibe (which it does superbly), but this is high-end small plates and specialty cocktails, in the heart of Cary's revitalized downtown. - Cheap. This isn't a "lots of food for a low price" place. Think of it as a New American/fusion edition of the concept of tapas--small bites (but big enough to share) paired with drinks in an unhurried atmosphere that can be one part of your evening downtown. If you're budget-conscious, maybe make this one stop in an evening's activities that also involves a food truck or a pizza slice from Di Fara's. Now, some that Hank's IS: - A place with great service. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable (he'd been working there since it opened). Staff that delivered the food took the time to check if we needed anything else. And our drinks were brought out to our patio table by the bartender--a nice touch. - A place for great drinks too. The owners also own Sidebar down the street, and the bartender at Hank's is at the same level. You don't have to limit yourself to their cocktail list--if you want that Paper Plane, be assured that it will be perfect. - A place that will make both vegetarians and meat lovers happy. Our vegetarian daughter loved the white-bean hummus, crispy cauliflower, and strawberries and cheese. My wife and I are seafood fans, and we thought both the ceviche and the oysters were great. But for us the star of the night was the Burrata. If I have to come up with a complaint, it's that the hot sauce that comes with the oysters lacked punch. And finding parking (especially on a Friday night) can be a challenge. But neither issue will prevent us from coming again. -

Jaclyn N.

Yelp
This little cute restaurant in downtown Cary is an entire experience. The portions are huge. I had the oysters and pork shank and both were delicious. The drinks were very very good. The fried chicken was enough for my two friends to share. The lasagna was average. My friend's portion was big but it wasn't something we'd get again. The Korean cauliflower was amazing. I wouldn't order the carrots again either. Our server was being trained and was as kind and attentive as could be.

Cheryl C.

Yelp
Our waiter, Cameron is fantastic! He's so professional and customer service oriented that I thought for sure he is an owner. He laughed and said no unfortunately "I am not!" The food is great. Our group of three enjoyed the heirloom tomato appetizer; the cauliflower appetizer; and the most juicy and crispy fried chicken. A great night - you must try this restaurant

Kia L.

Yelp
I was in town for work and my colleague and I had dinner here. We went on a Tuesday evening around 6. They were booked but there was plenty of space at the bar. I really liked the ambiance. It was a vibe. We ordered 4 appetizers: smoked trout tartine, cauliflower, shaved asparagus and the Birriadilla. The appetizers were huge and we probably could've gotten away with 3. I took some back to the hotel for late night snacking. I had a Sauvignon Blanc with my meal and it was pretty good. Our server/bartender was very nice. He recommended the dishes and he was spot on. I recommend for a few drinks and appetizers at the bar. If you are looking to dine at a table, I recommend reservations.

Paige A.

Yelp
Lovely spot in Downtown Cary. We sat on the patio since we had a dog with us and it was cozy. We split three small plates - roaster oysters, shrimp and rice, and the shaved asparagus. The oysters were amazing - perfectly done and tasty. The shrimp and rice is Very spicy but went well with the asparagus that had homemade cool and creamy ricotta under it. Our waitress was excellent and we had a great experience. Would definitely go back!

Shannon D.

Yelp
So it was pretty good. The tacos are 7 dollars a taco. The fried chicken meal is MASSIVE. So many fries, but the sauce that it's baked with is amazing. The beef and broccoli was just okay. I'd come back again but it's a little bit on the pricey side for the quality. Still good though. Nice atmosphere outside as well as inside.

Annelies V.

Yelp
We have been to Hank's multiple times since moving to the Triangle in late 2022. We love to take visiting family and friends here for a nice dinner. We enjoy the vibes of the inside, and dining on the patio when the weather is nice. The menu changes regularly with the seasons, so we never get bored! The service has always been fantastic. They have delicious shareable starters, fun drinks, and filling entrees. We will definitely continue to go to Hank's for celebrations or a date night.

Mary M.

Yelp
Such a great local Cary spot. I have found myself having a meal at their bar more than once in recent weeks. The cocktails are delicious. Their menu variety is great for sharing. I think they update it regularly, so I can't wait to come back and try some updates on the future.

Max A.

Yelp
What an amazing restaurant! I took clients there for a business dinner and Hank's did not disappoint. We stared with Crispy Cauliflower, Mushroom Toast and Roasted Oysters. All amazing! I gotta say that the Roasted Oysters are to die for. The menu has them listed in a pineapple sesame butter, to me it was a sweet buttery broth with a little garlic hint to it. Just pick up an oyster and slurp it down. Yummmmy! Everyone of my guest ordered the Ribeye. When it came out, we were all surprised that the presentation is sliced! I have never had sliced Ribeye, strange..... I am here to report, it was fabulous. Melt in your mouth tenderness, with a flavor explosion of the awesome blue cheese (ask for extra, just sayin') and creamy horsey sauce. I snapped a pic, but it doesn't do justice to the wonderful presentation. Service was on point, very attentive and friendly with great recommendations. I found the cocktail menu to have a good mix of traditional cocktails as well as some craft ones. We tried several and they has great flavor, served with a nice amount of alcohol. Overall this place is really awesome and I cannot wait to go back to try the fried chicken.

Annie P.

Yelp
Hands down the BEST food I've had in a long time From the starters to the entrees, Hanks is delicious The food is so tasty and gourmet The chef really knows how to cook excellent I come from New York and I have eaten all over in my travels This is by far one of the best Anything you get on their weekly changed menu is cooked to perfection and so fresh I go every week and sit at their cozy bar The drinks are excellent and the bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly The atmosphere of the restaurant is so warm and inviting The employees are wonderful And the owner is hands on and very personable You HAVE to go to Hanks! Don't let the name fool ya It's far from a dive

Jennifer M.

Yelp
Still amazing! I had to share this heirloom tomato appetizer on a slab of sourdough with house made ricotta. It blew me away!

Dale D.

Yelp
1st year anniversary for Hanks Downtown Dive according to Matthew. Well lighted with view of Chatham Street in the Sunroom patio seating indoor and outdoor seating. Excellent heirloom tomatoes on grilled toast with basil is the fresh appetizer. Double Wrapped Tacos, shrimp, house made potato chips, and a special sauce is a delicious presentation with broccoli. Dozen fresh oysters on the halfshell from Pamlico, North Carolina was tasty, briney flavor, accented with horseradish, lemon slices, and a mignonette. I highly recommend that you visit Hanks Downtown Dive to enjoy the New Orleans style blues and jazz music, the well lighted dining and delicious food. Ask about the story of Hank. One of the best restaurants in the Downtown Town of Cary.

Melanie R.

Yelp
I met a few coworkers here for dinner. I was pleasantly surprised by the food and drink. The food was amazing! We had several appetizers and they were all devoured very quickly. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the employees were quite friendly and attentive as well. I will definitely return to this spot when I'm in town for business. If you have heard about this place or seen it and haven't yet visited, check it out.

Frank T.

Yelp
My wife and I did a date night at Hanks and had a throughly good time. Things Hanks does well: - The food was very good. My wife did the tacos, fried cauliflower which was also excellent. I had the fried chicken which as a person with celiacs greatly appreciated it as being gluten free. It was a very yummy but unusual take on fried chicken which I would be very pleased to do again! The portions are large ... come hungry. - The restaurant is clean and down to earth. Definitely did not have a dice feel but more of a casual friendly feel. - The location is a good spot with theaters and ice cream parlor near by. Nothing bad to say. I do think though that the restaurant is missing an opportunity by not doing more with the outdoor patio seating which is secluded and sort of private. My wife and I are definitely coming back!

Saloni V.

Yelp
Amazing vibe and very friendly staff. We ordered Mango salad, lasagna , Beets, and dry fried eggplant.

I C.

Yelp
First time here after reading some good reviews on Yelps but there were some low score reviews and I thought maybe those are just flukes. We ordered a cocktail-it was pretty looking and tasted kinda light on the alcohol but mostly ice and maybe slightly on the expensive side. We had the roasted oysters (3) $10-it was the best dish we had. I forgot to take a pic but it was tasty and not overcooked with lots of butter. Another appetizer was the crispy cauliflowers, which was a generous portion. It was a bit too vinegary for my preference but well executed with good balance of saltiness and mildly spicy and slightly sweet. However, I do feel that it was overpriced. My most disappointing experience was with the ribeye. It didn't taste like ribeye and looked like a stripe steak and it was too salty. The pic showed 3 pieces of steaks left and we only had 2 pieces before I took the picture. There was barely 6 oz if I have to guess. Not much to eat and it wasn't great steak like some of the reviews. We had the blue cheese on the side and I thought the blue cheese was surprisingly mild and not pungent and seemed quite tasty by itself. Overall, I thought it was an overpriced dinner for what we ordered. A lot of people ordered fried chicken to share and there seemed to be more food. The table next to us had flounder and the portion was very generous with lots of sides. Maybe we picked the wrong entree. Probably won't be back for a long while. For what we paid, I would be much happier next door at the Chinese restaurant Our server, Kristin, was very attentive and nice. The manager (?) tried to keep us warm with an outdoor heater but it kept going off, so that made the dining experience even less pleasant because it was unexpectedly chilly after an afternoon rainstorm.

Audrey P.

Yelp
Second visit and stellar once again. Had the ceviche, which was the best I've ever had. Also had one taco each but honestly didn't need them. Had some bites of my friend's salad, which I can't remember what was in it but it was delicious. Drinks were on point. Pricey but so so good!

Leigh A.

Yelp
Hardly a "dive"! We had amazing service, Food and drinks at the bar last night right in the middle of the Saturday / Christmas rush. The roasted oysters were phenomenal and the flounder and fried chicken entrees were both fantastic. Might just make this a holiday tradition. Highly recommend!

Chandra J.

Yelp
I am not sure if "dive" accurately describes this very cool and very laid back spot in downtown Cary. My friend and I absolutely loved this spot as soon as we stepped in. From the welcoming staff, to the patch work on the walls, to the bar selection, and yummy food options--Hanks is just an amazing spot! I love that they are making downtown Cary a go to spot! My friend and I got there about 45 minutes before closing, but we still got amazing service, food, and drinks! I got their NC shrimp taco that came in a crispy shell with shrimp, potato chips, and onions topped with a spicy aioli sauce. Omg! This was one of the best tacos I have had in a very long time! Soo good! I have never had a taco with potato chips before, but this will not be the last time. My friend got their broccoli and beef that was topped with mozzarella and honey jalapeños! Sooo good as well. That combination of spice, sweetness, and saltiness was just right! To drink we both got old fashions, which were delicious. Both smooth, easy, and so great to drink! I wish we would've had more time to hang out as the atmosphere is just so cool. I love that they have gender neutral bathrooms with super cool decor. This would be a spot I would go to on the regular! Great prices, atmosphere, and food! Cannot go wrong!! Go!!

ChefCindy M.

Yelp
Hanks has been one of our go to places, but last few times we haven't been impressed with the food. I give it 2 stars for service and Ambiance. I had the mushroom lasagna last month was amazing. This pass week we gave Hanks another try, the lasagna was the worst I have ever had, dried out everything, honesty I should of sent it back that was my bad for not complaining. For the prices at Hanks there's NO excuse pawning old dried out food to a good customer . Like I said my fault for not sending it back.

Heather K.

Yelp
We love Hank's! Great service, cool vibes and delicious food and drinks! We've never had a bad meal here. The ceviche is my fave - so fresh and delicious! Beet salad, shrimp tacos, french fries, it's all yummy! It's fun to order a few things to share. The draft cocktails are so good too. They have outdoor seating, tables and comfy booths indoors and the bar is always hopping. If you've never been to Hank's, give it a try. One of our favorite spots in Downtown Cary.

Ron W.

Yelp
Excited for the latest bar in Cary to open up, Hank's Downtown Dive! Brought to you by Matt B. from SideBar, Hank's is a lighter and more modern take on a traditional "dive bar". In fact, it's not really divey at all. Lots of windows, a nice sunken patio and bright green decor highlight the space. A shorter list of beer, wine, cocktails and drinks on tap to quench your thirst along with a small menu of eats (snacks, tacos and some plates). The space looks like some fun and should attract a nice adult crowd from Cary. It's brand new so I expect lots more changes to the menus and cocktail list, enjoy!

Bb M.

Yelp
Great vibe, creative appetizers in large sizes, excellent people watching, outstanding service

Kellie B.

Yelp
Best friend chicken I have ever eaten, cool Vibe and amazing staff. Will go again for sure

Lan Z.

Yelp
I went here for a girl's night. The menu is funky...kind of weird. It was a bit all over the place - tacos, ahi tuna, beef and broccoli and fried chicken. We ordered a good portion of the menu and thought everything was just ok. I think they are trying to be unique in their flavors and we weren't a huge fan of some of the dishes. The mushroom toast was the biggest hit in the order. It has a subtle hint of spice and was topped full of mushrooms. The bread is local from La Farm. Our waitress, so sad I forget her name, was absolutely amazing. She walked us through the entire menu and gave detailed descriptions of her recommendations. Overall it's nice to have another dining option in downtown Cary.

Michelle Y.

Yelp
Delicious drinks and always fresh oysters. Check their online menu for new dishes! Also have a good selection of wine.

Courtnay B.

Yelp
Five stars for cocktails, food and service! Started with the Cantaritos (draft cocktail), which I've had several times and is consistently delicious. My husband and I shared the Heirloom Tomato starter and Fried Chicken entree, and would get both again. The fried Chicken is a MUST! The fries are perfectly crisp and pair well with the drizzled honey. Our server was perfectly attentive, always there when we needed him and gave us room to enjoy date night uninterrupted.

Dave D.

Yelp
One of the coolest places in Downtown Cary. If you like craft cocktails and tapas, this place won't disappoint. Reservations are absolutely necessary, and in advance if you want to sit outside.

Yvonne J.

Yelp
We were actually going to get Di Fara pizza when I noticed Hank's as we were parking. Intrigued, we decided to stop and try it out. We were sat outside in their patio (even though the inside did not appear full). I usually try not to question their seating decisions as I'm sure there is a good reason for it. The patio did have lots of heaters to help keep us warm. As we walked through the inside, I couldn't help but notice how cozy and warm the decor is! It's beautifully decorated and you wouldn't be out of place if you dressed up for dinner here. For food, they have a rotating menu which I absolutely love. They even had oysters!! So good! I honestly couldn't tell you all the items we tried but EVERYTHING was a winner. I couldn't believe how great the food was and the fact that I had never noticed this restaurant before. The prices here are higher and the food is "fancier" but you get what you pay for. If you are a "foodie" you will love this place. The restaurant is not very big so I imagine as the word gets out, you will definitely need reservations. Would be a great option for a date night/girls night. Leave the kids at home and enjoy a drink!

Kirsten L.

Yelp
Awesome place is not divey at all!! Lovely place with amazing food and stellar service!! We will be back when we return to Raleigh.

Nicole J.

Yelp
We had family in town and thought this sounded like a good spot but we were wrong. The food is not very good and overly salted - the French fries were the best thing on the menu...the fried chicken was okay. Tuna tartar and cauliflower, JUST SAY NO. The shrimp tacos and brisket tacos....I could see paying $2 for but completely overpriced at $7 and almost inedible. The menu is all over the place and I feel like they've yet to find their identity, good flavor, or quality food. We, unfortunately, won't be back to spend our money.

Gina D.

Yelp
Ambiance is cozy, and the food is delicious. I had the yellow fin platter. It was filled with delicious veggies, a generous portion of tuna, and an amazing sauce on the side

Cheryl H.

Yelp
Don't let the name fool you. This is not a dive. It' has fun and quirky decor. Love the Gluten Free fried chicken!

Jeff H.

Yelp
Excellent meal, the steak and broccoli appetizer was a terrific surprise, quite good. Highly recommend spending time here!

Stephanie J.

Yelp
My husband and I dined in for dinner and really enjoyed our experience at this "dive". I ordered a beer followed by the gin gin mule for drinks and enjoyed them both. To start we had the heirloom tomatoes and for our meals it was a brisket and fish taco with rice & beans for my husband and the baby back ribs for me. My favs were the starter and brisket taco. Dessert is a must order, we had the quatro leche and it was amazing. Welcome to Downtown Cary!

Jen A.

Yelp
What a fantastic meal! We've been regulars at SideBar since they opened, so we were excited to check out Hank's. It did not disappoint! I started with the White Negroni (strong and delicious), and my husband had the Peach Mai Tai (amazing). For our meal, we split the cauliflower app to start and that may have been my favorite thing we ate. Like a great twist on Buffalo cauliflower without being Buffalo cauliflower. Highly recommend. Entree-wise, I had the Ribeye, and my husband had the Tuna. Both were beautifully cooked, expertly plated, and perfectly sized portions. Just delicious. We wanted to try a dessert, so we got the Quattro Leches cake, and it was creamy and delicious. Like a cross between regular cake and ice cream cake. We loved our meal from start to finish, and we will definitely be back! We left with a list of all of the things we want to try next time after seeing all of the great food coming out of the kitchen.

Jim M.

Yelp
Great food. Great service. Great ambiance. Parking sucks but that's the worst part and I still give this place a five star review! Must check this place out!

James C.

Yelp
Thank you for another fantastic evening at Hank's Downtown Dive. The table service provided by John was awesome. He was friendly, attentive, enthusiastic...he provided great food and cocktail recommendations. The bar service provided by the wonderful Mars was amazing. My friend and I both ordered 2 Old Fashioneds during the evening. Mars made the best OF I ever had. John and Mars are definitely my 2 favorite "Hanks" at HDD. The food was so delicious. Our oyster appetizer came with some of the best oysters I've ever eaten. Our entrees were just as perfect! Thank you again. Cheers, Jim Coughlin

John M.

Yelp
Breath of fresh air for Cary downtown. Enjoyed the tacos (brisket & shrimp) the apps (brandade, cauliflower) the cocktails ... as well as the location, patio dining, service and vibe. All high marks here.

Colleen ..

Yelp
Very cool place with great food. I had the shrimp but added a side of bread to soak up the broth.

jennifer m.

Yelp
The cauliflower is amazing. Also the steak and I'm not a red meat person. The atmosphere is lovely.

Ana F.

Yelp
My husband made reservations for us to celebrate my birthday yesterday. We had both been pretty eager to check out Hanks, based on reviews and blog posts. The thing we kept reading was that the menu was limited, but that was because everything was outstanding. My husband made reservations a few weeks ago, looked to change them because we had something pop up, but there were no reservations to be found. No problem, we moved things around to make it work. When we got there, there were tons of open tables, so I was curious as to why reservations were needed, but I digress. We started off with a margarita (hello national margarita day) and a Rye cocktail, that was reminiscent of an Old Fashioned. The Marg was admittedly too strong, but it was my birthday and, why not! The Rye drink was absolutely fabulous. We ordered the buffalo cauliflower and clams to start. The cauliflower was delicious, I enjoyed every bite of it! The clams were fishy to me, but my husband loved them! We followed up our order with the Fried Chicken (the waitress said that it was one of the best things on the menu), brisket tacos and fish tacos. This is where the meal fell apart for us. I am a good Southern Woman and absolutely love Fried Chicken, and it just wasn't good. The breading had no flavor whatsoever and the leg was really dry, which is just not what you would expect from a piece of dark meat. The polenta that was served on the side was uninspired, completely bland and wasn't worth the calories to eat it. I will say that the salad on the side was absolutely perfect - solid! The brisket tacos were good, the brisket was cooked perfectly but had no flavor or depth to them. The "Hanks Sauce" was outstanding and pulled the taco together, so much so we ordered a side of it to drown the taco in. The fish taco was fairly generic and unmemorable. We did order a side of fries that were perfectly cooked and seasoned. I really wanted to like Hanks. The decor is great, the atmosphere is lovely and the service was good (was a little disappointed that I wasn't wished a happy birthday upon sitting down, despite it being included in the reservation - but that sounds a bit petty). If the meal had come out to $75, we would have called it a wash, but it was close to $200 and it was just okay at best. Maybe we went on a bad night, it was a Tuesday, but we would be hard pressed to give them another shot.

Ben P.

Yelp
Great location and the food was good. We sat at the bar and it was a decent experience. Recommend the cauliflower appetizer and any of the tacos. Three stars due to the service mostly. The bartender was friendly but seemed overworked. When we arrived, we did not have a reservation and were told we would have to sit at the bar, but there were quite a few open tables. I try to give a little grace due to the current staffing issues out there, but there were at least 2-3 servers standing around at any given moment. Will likely try again but make a reservation to have the best chance at a good experience.

Abner P.

Yelp
This place is a gem in downtown Cary. The fried chicken is so crispy and delicious. Drinks are awesome and the ambiance is very chill.

Penelope G.

Yelp
I wanted to dine in downtown Cary's small town, neighborhood feel. Thanks to Yelp, I found the" Dive", read the reviews and linked to the menu. I knew I had to try it so booked right away for the next night with a friend. We were both delighted. From reservation, seating, to waiter, server and especially the chef's incredibly delicious options for dinner, we enjoyed a perfect evening. We look forward to returning again soon.

Jacob J.

Yelp
Sorry Hank, but this costly experience was just.. MYSTIFYINGLY AWEFUL. And I'm not even picky. First off.. the two best items on the menu were the olives and on. my part, the burnt grapes with pistachios. Everything else we ordered made me feel like they lost their chef because it was borderline inedible. The Tuna Tartar... God awful and so salty (both the crackers and the tuna) that you may as well called it Salt Lick Tuna. It was that bad. And Hank my friend. when you call something Cauliflower on your menu, people order it because of the cauliflower, not because of the lb. of garbage smelling, orange soy and sesame paste you doused all over that wonderful vegetable. My wife almost vomitted smelling that bowl, and before you react to this, go ahead and smell it yourself. It's that bad. Now.. the brisket tacos... The brisket looks boiled, pale, and dead, with these old, lifeless crispy noodles on it... You can't serve tacos in downtown Cary that look like dog food compared to a local food truck. Again.. pitiful. The shrimp taco? With the whole 2 small shrimp on it and non-delightful sauce? You guys HAVE to be kidding me? The only thing that turned out as it should was the fried chicken and french fries, which cost a whoppng $30. They add what she called "flash fried" green beans to it that made the vegetable taste like dried up salty wet noodles rather than a healthy green bean.. These guys could make a piece of toast go bad. Don't expect a hearty drink either. The bartender had zero personality and made martinis the size of a shot glass. Nothing is right about this place. Go there.. A downtown dive that isn't divey at all... No local would ever visit this soulless place. To finish it off, they had a giant painting that was not hanging from a wire, but from the bare edge on a loose screw that fell in the restaurant. This place is a train wreck and FOR SURE has paid for whatever good ratings they have. Out of business in one more year, tops... Go there, try it. The food is mostly inedible. Best of luck and I hope Hank finds this review and turns things around.

Tiffany W.

Yelp
Amazing food, incredible service... had an amazing bottle of champagne and the lasagna is one of the best I've ever had... it's always the place I bring family and friends when they come to town.

Mustafa M.

Yelp
Price for quality of food was great. Everything was well seasoned. Would go back in a heartbeat. I sat outdoor on the patio as well which was quite nice.

Dave M.

Yelp
I didn't even know Hank's was there but went for first time with friends. Nice spot with cool sunken outdoor patio. Old fashioned was excellent as were all 3 apps we had with the ceviche being a stand out. Very nice staff. Will definitely be back.

Erin B.

Yelp
Let me preface this with the fact that I was a tad worried about the menu. Ahead of time I didn't know what half the stuff was but based on reviews, I figured why not! This place definitely has the wow factor. It's beautiful and in a great location and they definitely aim to please. We had a reservation and were seated in a large booth with our friends. Drinks were great and always filled, both cocktails and water. We learned the menu is almost constantly changing, which to me is a cool concept. I'm a picky eater but this means there will always be something I like when I come back! As a group we ended up with a bucket of GF chicken (amazing), a cauliflower app that was amazing, a crab cake app that was so different but SO good, plus a tuna dinner and a few other small salad type things. I'm not an adventurous eater but they have done their home work and hit a home room with this one. Now minor negatives (or not), I def wouldn't bring my kids, it's not cheap, allergy wise it was a touch of a worry with so many ingredients BUT they killed it. Way to go