A Mount Holly man has filed a federal lawsuit against Hardee's, alleging the Belmont restaurant deprived him of his civil rights by putting too few Hash Rounds on his plate.

Tommy Martin, who is black, believes his skin color led to him being served less of the potato-based side item than is typical on the restaurant's gravy breakfast platter. The restaurant's website appears to show about a dozen Hash Rounds on the meal.

"That's what took place," Martin said from his home Friday, when asked whether the May 30, 2018, incident had to do with his race.

Martin said he left the restaurant "teary-eyed" and reported the incident to Belmont Police.

According to the lawsuit, the cashier tried to correct the issue before a manager told him "that what you get." The incident made him feel stupid, and like "no one in here (is) going to stand up for you," the lawsuit said.

He claims the event violated the 14th Amendment, which deals with civil rights.

He also said it gave him cibophobia, a fear of food.

"Eating in public is a no-no," he wrote in the lawsuit, which was hand-written and filed at the U.S. District Court in Charlotte on Monday.

He said a manager gave him a refund of his purchase.

He wants a jury to decide his case.

"Got home with tear in mine eye," the lawsuit said. "I have got to do something."

Representatives from Hardee's couldn't be reached for comment.

You can reach Adam Lawson at 704-869-1842 or on Twitter @GazetteLawson.