21 best burgers in Charlotte
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From old-school to gourmet, Charlotte’s burger scene doesn’t disappoint.
Here’s where to find the best burgers in Charlotte. This list is in no particular order; it is not a ranking.
(1) Brooks’ Sandwich House
A Charlotte staple, Brooks’ reopened in January 2020 after losing co-owner Scott Brooks in a tragic shooting in late 2019. It then closed for a couple of months due to the pandemic, but Brooks’ is back again.
Order this: Burger “All The Way” with mustard, onions, and homemade chili.
Location: 2710 N. Brevard St.
(2) Bang Bang Burgers
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Fast-casual burger joint with locations in Elizabeth and South End.
Order this: The Bang Bang Burger. Comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, homemade pickles, and “Bang Bang” sauce with a side of fries.
Backup order: The Cowboy with sharp cheddar, bacon and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce sauce and a side of fries.
Locations:
- Elizabeth – 2001 E. 7th St., D
- South End – 235 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 101
(3) Ace No. 3
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Simple burgers served in an old-school environment.
Order this: The Ace burger. It’s made with two patties, American cheese, onions, pickles, and comeback sauce on a toasted potato bun.
- And snag an order of fries. They’re on our best fries list.
Backup order: Build your own burger (single, double, triple, or veggie) and add bacon ($1.49) or an egg ($1). You can also get your burger on a gluten-free bun ($1.25).
Locations:
- Belmont – 1001 Belmont Ave.
- Myers Park – 829 Providence Rd.
- Concord Mills – 8520 Pit Stop Ct. NW #10
(4) Blacow Burger
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Burgers and sushi served under one roof.
Order this: The Blacow Burger. It’s made with Wagyu beef, lettuce, teriyaki glaze, nori furikake, mayo and tempura avocado.
Locations:
- South End – 1515 S Tryon St., Suite 103
- University – 517 University Pointe Blvd.
(5) The Crunkleton
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An elevated, members-only cocktail bar in Elizabeth.
Order this: “A Really Good Burger.” No really, that’s what it’s called. It comes with American cheese, lettuce, onions and sauce on a Brioche bun. Wash down the burger with an Old Fashioned.
Location: 1957 E. 7th St.
(6) The Dive N
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This old-school Pineville diner looks like it’s straight out of the 60s with its retro booths and decor.
Order this: Jimmy Special (available on Thursdays). It’s a double cheddar burger topped with onion rings, pickles, mustard and special sauce.
Location: 109 N. Polk St.
(7) Reid’s Fine Foods
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Upscale urban grocery store with locations in Myers Park, SouthPark and Uptown.
Order this: Reid’s Steak Burger. It’s an 8-ounce steakburger made from filet mignon, sirloin and ribeye ground in-house from Reid’s award-winning butcher shop. You have the option to choose your cheese, two toppings and a side (go with the truffle fries).
Pro tip: Stop by Reids Myers Park or South Park on Tuesdays for half-priced burgers. The meal will run you $9.99 (normally $16).
Related story: Reid’s Fine Foods to open new healthy food concept in Lowe’s tower in South End
Locations:
- Myers Park – 2823 Selwyn Ave.
- South Park – 4331 Barclay Downs Dr.
- Uptown – 121 W. Trade St. Suite 150
- Levine – 135 Levine Ave. of the Arts, Suite 120
(8) Harriet’s Hamburgers
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The Optimist Hall food stall keeps things pretty simple with a succinct and nostalgic menu of just burgers and fries.
Order this: The hamburger with white American cheese. It includes two patties served on a brioche bun with pickles, red onions and simple sauce.
Location: 1115 N. Brevard St.
(9) Moo & Brew
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Neighborhood burger and beer spot with a great patio in Plaza Midwood (known to many for their famous Large Marge Bloody Mary).
Order this: Farmer’s Daughter. Comes with a farm egg, peppered applewood bacon, cheddar, tomato, Bibb lettuce and M&B sauce.
Backup burger: Moo & Brew Burger. Brew-braised onions, brew chili, brew cheese and yellow mustard.
Location: 1300 Central Ave.
(10) Pinky’s Westside Grill
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The no-frills roadside restaurant garnered national attention after being featured on a 2015 episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Order this: Pterodactyl Burger. An award-winning 5-ounce beef burger, “everything style.”
Burger style options at Pinky’s:
- Everything — mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, dill pickles.
- Westside — mustard, chili, slaw, onion.
- Ding Dong Style — crunchy peanut butter, honey-cilantro slaw, and hot sriracha sauce.
Go big burger: Triple “G” three, 5-ounce patties, Westside style (this was Guy Fieri’s order when he visited).
Locations:
- Charlotte – 1600 W Morehead St.
- Huntersville – 9818 Gilead Rd, 101 B
(11) The Diamond
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Cozy retro diner in Plaza Midwood, founded in 1945.
Order this: Small Block Burger — a 1/3 pound ground beef with lettuce, tomato, onion and mayonnaise.
Location: 1901 Commonwealth Ave.
(12) The Asbury
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Find this burger in the Dunhill Hotel in Uptown.
Order this: The Asbury Burger. Two house-ground beef patties, pickle and saffron mayo, caramelized onions, mushrooms and griddled cheddar.
Location: 235 N. Tryon St.
(13) South 21 Drive-in
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The drive-in Southern comfort food restaurant has been serving gems like the Super Boy since 1955.
Order this: Super Boy hamburger. Two beef patties, cheese, mustard, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes with French fries.
Location: 3101 E Independence Blvd.
Related story: 35 iconic restaurants that have been serving Charlotte for 20+ years
(14) The Goodyear House
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The NoDa neighborhood restaurant inhabits a transformed early 1900s mill home.
Order this: Goopy burger. Shipley Farms beef, cheddar, pickles, onion, and shredded lettuce on a benne seed bun.
- Make it a double for $5 more and/or add Benton’s Bacon for $3 more. It’s crafted to taste like an elevated version of the McDonald’s Big Mac.
Location: 3032 N Davidson St.
Related guide: The 21 best patios in Charlotte, right now
(15) Bad Daddy’s
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Neighborhood burger spot located in Dilworth.
Order this: Sam I Am Burger. American cheese, an over-easy fried egg, rosemary ham and pesto.
Location:
- Dilworth – 1626 East Blvd.
- Ballantyne – 15105 John J Delaney Drive
- Birkdale – 8625 Lindholm Drive A
- Concord – 8915 Christenbury Pkwy., Ste 70
- Charlotte Douglas Airport – 5501 C Josh Bringham Concourse C, Gate 4
(16) Midwood Smokehouse
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Sure, you know Midwood for its barbecue, but have you had the burger?
Order this: If not, try The Roadhouse. It’s a chuck and brisket burger patty with ketchup, mustard, pickles American cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Add brisket for another $5 or chopped pork for another $3.
Locations:
- Plaza Midwood – 1401 Central Ave.
- Park Road Shopping Center – 540-C Brandywine Rd.
- Ballantyne – 12410 Johnston Rd.
- Birkdale Village – 16710 Birkdale Commons Pkwy.
- Cross Hill Market – 702 Cross Hill Rd.
(17) Foxcroft Wine Co.
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Upscale yet unpretentious wine bar with tasty small plates and entrees.
Order this: House-Ground Burger. Ground hanger steak, grilled onion, pea shoots, tomato, truffle aioli, and your choice of cheddar or blue cheese.
Locations:
- Dilworth – 1235 East Blvd., Suite I
- South Park – 7824 Fairview Rd.
- Waverly – 7416 Waverly Walk Ave. Suite H-1A
- Greenville – 631 South Main Street
(18) Bae’s Burgers
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The simple menu at Bae’s Burgers lists just four burgers, but each is full of flavor.
Order this: The Boss. It has two smash beef patties, bacon, grilled onions, American cheese and garlic aioli.
- The garlic parmesan fries are a must-try.
Location: Varies. Find the location schedule here.
(19) Romeos Vegan Burgers
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The vegan burger joint started as a food truck operation and quickly expanded to its first brick and mortar within a year’s time. It has since added a second brink and mortar location in Greensboro.
Order this: “Where Art Thou Romeo Burger.” It comes with lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, cheese, and pickles and is topped off with a house sauce.
Locations:
- Charlotte – 5518 South Blvd.
(20) Rusty’s Deli & Grille
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South Charlotte deli that’s been serving the area since 1983.
Order this: Rusty’s cheeseburger. Comes with lettuce, tomato, mayo and cheese.
Location: 8512 Park Rd.
(21) Growlers Pourhouse
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NoDa gem from local restaurateurs Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown.
Order this: The Liquid nitrogen burger. American cheese, nitro muddled herb aioli, bread & butter pickles, gem lettuce, served medium rare on a brioche bun.
Location: 3120 N Davidson St.
Originally published May 18, 2017. Last updated on June 30, 2022
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