Night Owls Only: There’s a Chicken and Biscuits Restaurant Open 24-7 in North Carolina

Late-night snackers rejoice! Time-Out Restaurant on Franklin Street is a staple of the Chapel Hill community. Open since 1978, this North Carolina restaurant is the masterpiece of founder and University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill third-generation alumnus Eddie Williams. 

Williams was inspired by his wife, Val, to name the restaurant “Time-Out Restaurant” due to his lifelong connection to the sports family of UNC-Chapel Hill (he’s the son of Jack Williams, who served as the Sports Information Director of UNC-Chapel Hill from 1966 to 1975). Williams spent many hours of his childhood in the press box with his father; today, the restaurateur pays homage to his childhood by adding a touch of UNC sports to the walls of Time-Out.

Time-Out is open 24 hours a day because Eddie believes Chapel Hill is a town that never sleeps. After noticing how few late-night restaurants there were in town, Williams decided to make Time-Out a 24-hour establishment where patrons could always get a tasty, home-cooked meal. Third-shift cook and legend starting in the mid-1980s, Billy Ray Penny, a “chef with an attitude,” made legendary savory chicken-and-cheese biscuits. This transformed Time Out into an institution with lines out the door to satisfy late-night appetites. 

Whether it’s the all-day breakfast, pulled BBQ, or southern-style fried chicken, every meal is an explosion of flavor. Visitors are known to tell Williams that visiting Time-Out is like “coming home.” It reminds them of meals made by their own mother or grandmother, and is known as a safe place where they can get a tasty meal, regardless of what time it is.

Today, Time-Out is known as a staple of the community and a beloved, longstanding element of the UNC college experience

You can’t go wrong no matter what (or when!) you order at Time-Out. Fan-favorite food items include the Chicken 'n Cheddar Biscuits, fried chicken, biscuits, and sides like fried okra, collard greens, green beans, sweet potatoes, and mashed potatoes. Meals are affordable, too—the “Roast Turkey” (when available, for lunch only) meal costs $11.99 and includes roast turkey, two sides, and a biscuit or cornbread. 

All-day breakfast is a big hit with diners who love the Country Steak & Egg Platter, while sweet treats like the Cinnamon Roll and the Pecan Pie are worth saving room for! 

If you’re seeking other quaint destinations to check out in North Carolina, check out this list of 12 Incredible Charming Small Towns in North Carolina. Or, learn more about this up-and-coming city located in North Carolina that’s perfectly sized and between Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh, for a laid-back, fun small town adventure. Use our trip planner to learn more about North Carolina's delicious, diverse, and inspiring destinations to explore.