12 Burger Places In North Carolina Locals Swear By (You Might Have One In Your Town)
North Carolina is packed with burger spots that locals rave about, and chances are there’s one waiting in your own town.
From juicy patties and perfectly melted cheese to inventive toppings and secret sauces, these burgers deliver flavor that keeps people coming back for more.
Each restaurant has its own unique twist, making every bite memorable. Get ready to discover why these hometown favorites have earned a devoted following across the state.
1. Brooks’ Sandwich House (Charlotte)
Family-run since 1973, this no-frills cash-only spot serves burgers “all the way” with mustard, onions, and their famous secret chili.
The tiny red building often has lines wrapping around it, but regulars know the wait is worth it. Twin brothers David and Scott Brooks built this Charlotte institution before tragedy struck in 2019.
The community rallied, ensuring this beloved burger joint continues serving its signature hand-pressed patties that have remained unchanged for nearly 50 years.
2. Bang Bang Burgers (Charlotte)
Owner Joseph Huang trained at Le Cordon Bleu and applies that culinary expertise to create burger perfection.
The signature Bang Bang burger features premium Angus beef, aged cheddar, and applewood smoked bacon that’ll make your taste buds dance.
What began as a food truck evolved into this beloved Charlotte eatery where every burger is cooked to temperature-perfect doneness.
Their hand-cut truffle parmesan fries might steal the spotlight if the burgers weren’t already showstoppers.
3. Moo & Brew (Charlotte)
Craft beer and craft burgers form a heavenly partnership at this Plaza Midwood hotspot.
Their Moo & Brew burger topped with beer-braised onions and brew cheese has won multiple awards at Charlotte burger competitions.
Sports games play on TVs while locals debate which of the dozen-plus burgers reigns supreme.
The casual vibe makes this a perfect weekend hangout where the hardest decision is which of their 40+ rotating craft beers pairs best with your burger choice.
4. Char-Grill (Raleigh, multiple)
Raleigh natives have been filling out those iconic paper order forms since 1959. The charcoal-grilled burgers come wrapped in paper, perfectly imperfect and deliciously smoky from that distinctive flame-kissed cooking method.
College students and businesspeople alike stand shoulder to shoulder at the counter-service windows.
The no-nonsense menu hasn’t changed much in decades because when you’ve perfected the art of the charcoal burger, why mess with success?
5. Come Back Shack (Boone)
Mountain town flavor meets farm-to-table ethos at this Boone favorite.
Fresh-ground beef from local farms gets topped with house-made comeback sauce – a tangy, spicy mayo-based concoction that’ll have you planning your next visit before finishing your first burger.
Founded by a local couple in 2011, sustainability drives everything here.
Even the fry oil gets recycled into biofuel! The rustic mountain decor and friendly service make this the perfect refueling spot after hiking nearby trails.
6. P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille (Wilmington area)
Beach-goers and locals alike flock to this coastal burger institution with its distinctly retro vibe.
The smell of grilled onions hits you before you even walk through the door – a promising sign of the flavor bombs awaiting inside.
Burgers come wrapped in foil, keeping them piping hot while locking in all those magnificent juices.
The sweet potato fries with honey butter have their own cult following among regulars who’ve been coming since the first location opened in 1993.
7. Sutton’s Drug Store (Chapel Hill)
Time travel isn’t possible yet, but walking into Sutton’s comes pretty darn close.
This functioning pharmacy with a lunch counter has been serving UNC students and faculty since 1923. Photos of customers plaster every inch of wall space.
The griddle has a century of seasoning, giving these straightforward burgers their distinctive flavor.
Sitting at the counter watching your burger cook while sipping a hand-spun milkshake is a Chapel Hill rite of passage that transcends generations.
8. El’s Drive-In (Morehead City)
Carhop service still exists at this coastal time capsule where burgers come with a side of nostalgia.
Since 1959, El’s has been serving SuperBurgers to generations of families who make this stop part of their beach tradition.
Hurricane after hurricane, El’s stands strong, slinging those famous shrimpburgers that blend coastal Carolina seafood with burger tradition.
The recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but locals speculate it’s the tangy sauce that keeps them coming back summer after summer.
9. Town Hall Burger & Beer (Chapel Hill/Durham)
Chef-driven burgers reach their peak at this upscale-casual spot where toppings range from traditional to wildly inventive.
The premium Black Angus beef gets ground in-house daily, resulting in patties with the perfect fat-to-lean ratio for maximum juiciness.
Local craft beer flows from numerous taps, carefully selected to complement their burger creations.
The Pimento Cheese & Bacon Jam burger has developed such a following that removing it from the menu would likely cause a local uprising.
10. Big Burger Spot (Greensboro)
True to its name, the burgers here are massive – half-pound behemoths that require serious jaw dexterity.
Founded by a former fine dining chef who wanted to create the perfect burger joint, every element gets careful attention.
House-made potato chips come dusted with unique seasonings that change daily.
Regulars know to save room for the deep-fried Oreos that make for a decadent finale. The unpretentious strip mall location belies the culinary treasures waiting inside.
11. Cin Cin Burger Bar (Winston-Salem)
Cocktails and burgers find their perfect match at this downtown Winston-Salem gem. The menu reads like a global food tour with options like the Mediterranean lamb burger and the Korean BBQ burger with kimchi.
Housed in a beautifully renovated historic building, the atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between casual and sophisticated.
Weekend brunchers rave about the Breakfast Burger topped with a fried egg and maple bacon that masterfully bridges morning and midday cravings.
12. Rankin Vault (Asheville)
Tucked into a former bank vault in downtown Asheville, this speakeasy-style spot has won the city’s coveted “Best Burger” title multiple years running.
The Vault Burger features local grass-fed beef, bacon, white cheddar, and house-made aioli on a potato bun. Bartenders craft exceptional cocktails to wash down these award-winning burgers.
The dimly lit, intimate space fills quickly most nights, with locals willing to wait for both a table and that perfect burger cooked exactly to their specified temperature.