Fredericksburg's first fast-food restaurant, Hardee's opened on Princess Anne Street in the early 1960s and introduced a new style of dining to the area. The restaurant was owned and built by entrepreneur Bodis Noel of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and was managed locally by Tony LeRose and Ross Garland. Located across from Carl's Frozen Custard at the corner of Hunter and Princess Anne Streets, Hardee's quickly became a popular destination for local families, students, and travelers. Known for its char-broiled hamburgers, the restaurant featured its signature extra-thick "Huskee" burger and helped usher Fredericksburg into the fast-food era.

In the 1980s, Hardee's relocated two blocks south on Princess Anne Street. The original building remains a Fredericksburg landmark and continues to operate today as the Mason-Dixon Café, preserving an important chapter in the city's dining history.