The restaurant we had headed to for a bite was closed, which should not have been surprising as it was Fourth of July. As we stood there the aroma of grilled and fried food from the pub across the street enticed us to investigate. That, and hunger.

The menu board at Salt hill Pub in Lebanon, NH listed a Grilled Popeye Sandwich — one they boasted had been voted “The Best Grilled Sandwich” by New Hampshire Magazine.

I just had to try it.

I guessed the spinach (which was lightly sautéed), but was pleasantly surprised at the rest: sliced tomatoes, cubes of feta on sour dough bread spread with “pub” sauce (a combo of mayonnaise, mustard, and horseradish). And — of course — grilled. All that with homemade crisp potato chips ($7.29) and served by a bubbly, efficient waitress.

As we left sound from a patriotic funky hometown band playing traditional John Philip Sousa in the small green across from City Hall (which doubles as the opera house) lured us in. After all it was Independence Day.

Salt hill Pub, 2 W. Park, Lebanon, NH 03766; 603.448.4532