MOUNT AIRY, N.C. — Surry County will celebrate one of its favorite meals, the ground steak sandwich, with a festival Saturday.
What You Need To Know
- Surry County will celebrate one of its favorite meals, the ground steak sandwich, with a festival Saturday
- The Surry County Tourism Development Authority says the sandwich originated in the 1930s at a restaurant in Mount Airy
- Snappy Lunch owner Seth Young says the Ground Steak Trail and Festival have been a boost for business in the community
The event features local mom-and-pop shops that serve the dish, along with more than 50 artisans, crafters and more.
Leading up to the festival, the town has also been highlighting 11 small restaurants that serve ground steak.
Snappy Lunch owner Seth Young says the Ground Steak Trail and Festival have been a boost for business.
“I think it brought a lot of attention to this area because you don't hear about it anywhere. I would have never heard of a ground steak growing up east of Raleigh,“ he said.
The Surry County Tourism Development Authority says the sandwich originated in the 1930s at a restaurant in Mount Airy.
Because the ground steak is stretched with flour and water, it became more affordable to make than a traditional hamburger.
Young inherited the business, and along with his wife and mother-in-law, says the dish is a longtime local crowd-pleaser.
“It is just something different. It's not a hamburger where it's really tough. It's got a little bit different of a flavor, a little bit different of a texture. I think that's why it is more popular here,” Young explained.
The first Ground Steak Festival kicks off Saturday, June 10, in downtown Dobson at 10 a.m.