The Fried Bologna Sandwich At This North Carolina Diner Is Still A Local Legend

Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant in Raleigh has earned a devoted following thanks to one simple masterpiece: the fried bologna sandwich.

Crispy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned, it’s a humble dish that has become a local icon over the years.

Regulars stop by to relive childhood memories, newcomers quickly understand the hype, and every bite delivers comfort in its purest form.

At Big Ed’s, this unassuming sandwich has earned legendary status one plate at a time.

Edward “Big Ed” Watkins Started It All Back in 1958

Big Ed himself opened his first restaurant in 1958, bringing no-nonsense Southern cooking to hungry Raleigh folks.

Back then, breakfast meant real food cooked the old-fashioned way, and Ed delivered every single time.

The City Market dining room didn’t open until 1989, but it quickly became the heart of downtown breakfast culture.

Sam and Lynn Hobgood took over ownership in 2006, keeping Big Ed’s legacy alive with the same recipes and dedication to quality that made the place famous in the first place.

Find It at 220 Wolfe Street, Open Six Days a Week

Tucked away at 220 Wolfe Street in downtown Raleigh, Big Ed’s serves up breakfast all day long. Operating Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., this spot closes on Mondays to give the crew a breather.

Whether you roll in at sunrise or closer to lunch, you can order their famous fried bologna sandwich anytime.

Breakfast for dinner? Not here, but breakfast until mid-afternoon works just fine for most folks craving that crispy bologna goodness.

That Thick-Sliced Beef Bologna Hits Different

Forget those wimpy deli slices. Big Ed’s serves their fried bologna as a hefty slab of beef bologna, griddled until the edges curl up and get all crispy.

Regular breakfast customers know exactly what they’re getting: pure, unapologetic comfort food that tastes like Saturday mornings at grandma’s house.

The bologna comes out hot, juicy in the middle, and crunchy on the outside, making every bite worth the wait in line outside.

Big Ed’s Helped Revive City Market in the Late ’80s

City Market was struggling before Big Ed’s dining room opened its doors in 1989.

The neighborhood needed something special to bring people back downtown, and Big Ed delivered with his no-frills Southern breakfast joint. Suddenly, locals had a reason to visit City Market again.

Big Ed’s became the anchor that helped turn the area into a thriving downtown destination, proving that good food and honest cooking can revitalize an entire neighborhood.

Three Locations Now Serve the Greater Raleigh Area

Success meant expansion. Big Ed’s grew beyond the original City Market spot, opening locations in North Raleigh and Garner to feed hungry folks across the metro area.

These newer spots keep different hours: Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Now you can grab that famous fried bologna sandwich whether you live downtown, up north, or out in Garner without making the trek to Wolfe Street.

Big Ed Watkins Passed Away in February 2021 at 88

February 2021 brought sad news when founder Big Ed Watkins passed away at age 88. Raleigh lost a true culinary legend, someone who fed generations of families and never compromised on quality or flavor.

The Hobgoods continue running the restaurants exactly how Big Ed would have wanted, keeping his recipes and standards alive.

Every fried bologna sandwich served today honors his memory and his commitment to feeding folks real Southern breakfast food.

Old-School Seasonal Specials Keep Things Interesting

Want something truly adventurous? Big Ed’s still serves seasonal items that most modern restaurants wouldn’t touch.

Eggs scrambled with pork brains or herring roe appear on the menu when available, keeping traditional Southern breakfast culture alive.

These dishes aren’t for everyone, but they represent a connection to culinary history that’s rapidly disappearing.

Big Ed’s refuses to let these old-school favorites fade away, offering adventurous eaters a taste of authentic Southern heritage.