Walking into The Copper Penny feels like discovering a secret treasure hiding in plain sight. Everyone talks about their onion rings, but nobody quite captures what makes them legendary until you taste one yourself.
Located at 109 Chestnut St, Wilmington, this energetic saloon has built a cult following that extends far beyond the Cape Fear region. North Carolina knows how to keep its best culinary secrets tucked away in unassuming downtown corners.
The moment you step through the door, the buzz of happy diners and the aroma of beer batter frying tells you everything you need to know. This place earned its spot on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Guy Fieri’s reaction to those onion rings became instant television gold…