6 Underrated North Carolina Burger Spots Serving Double Cheeseburgers Locals Love

I’ve lost count of how many weekends I’ve spent chasing the perfect burger across North Carolina, but one thing’s for sure—the best double cheeseburgers aren’t found in trendy restaurants or glossy downtown spots.

They’re waiting in small-town drive-ins, tucked along beach roads, and served at humble neighborhood grills where the griddles have been sizzling for generations.

These are the places where the burger patties are smashed thin, the cheese melts just right, and the first bite feels like home. Every stop on this journey proves that North Carolina’s true flavor lives in the spots you might otherwise drive right past.

1. Brooks’ Sandwich House (Charlotte)

Walking into Brooks’ feels like stepping through a time portal to when burgers were simple, messy, and absolutely perfect. This no-frills spot in Charlotte’s NoDa arts district has been slinging burgers since the 1970s, and their double cheeseburger “all the way” is basically a love letter wrapped in wax paper.

Picture two juicy patties crowned with American cheese, then smothered in chili, mustard, and onions. Cash-only and proudly unfancy, this counter-service gem operates on limited hours, which only adds to its mystique.

Locals treat this place like a sacred secret, and once you taste that burger, you’ll understand why the line out the door is always worth the wait.

2. Johnson’s Drive-In (Siler City)

Since 1946, this family-run treasure has been proving that consistency beats trends every single time. Johnson’s Drive-In uses high-quality beef and hasn’t wavered from its burger-focused mission for nearly eight decades, which tells you everything you need to know about their commitment.

Sure, Siler City isn’t exactly on everyone’s road trip map, and yes, the hours are limited. But ask any local and they’ll tell you the double cheeseburger here is worth planning your entire day around.

The kind of place where recipes get passed down through generations, Johnson’s reminds us that sometimes being out of the way is exactly what keeps something special.

3. Island Burgers & Bites (Carolina Beach)

Vacation towns usually mean tourist traps and overpriced disappointments, but Island Burgers & Bites breaks that mold with authority. Tucked away on a side street in Carolina Beach, this modest stand has earned serious street cred for its double cheeseburger topped with candied bacon and grilled onions that’ll make you reconsider everything.

What I love most is their refusal to rely on gimmicks. Quality ingredients and straightforward preparation win every time, and locals know it.

While beach visitors stumble upon it by accident, the regulars keep coming back season after season, proving that even in vacation territory, authenticity rises to the top.

4. The Cardinal Drive-In (Boone)

Up in the mountains, where the air gets crisp and the views stretch for miles, The Cardinal Drive-In serves burgers that match the scenery in perfection. Their double cheeseburger has achieved something rare: the bun-to-patty ratio that reviewers call “absolutely perfect,” which is burger-speak for magical.

The drive-in experience adds charm you just can’t replicate in modern restaurants. Ordering from your car, watching the mountains, and biting into a burger that locals have sworn by for years feels like discovering a delicious secret.

Boone might be known for skiing and hiking, but this hidden gem proves the town does comfort food just as well.

5. Char-Grill (Raleigh)

Since 1959, Char-Grill has been flame-grilling burgers while fancier spots come and go like seasons. This Raleigh institution doesn’t chase trends or try to reinvent the wheel, because when you’re already rolling perfectly, why mess with success?

Their double cheeseburger showcases what happens when you focus on technique over flash. Real flames, quality beef, and that unmistakable char flavor create something trendy gourmet joints spend fortunes trying to replicate.

What makes Char-Grill truly underrated is how it gets overshadowed by newer burger spots with Instagram-ready interiors, yet consistently delivers the kind of burger that makes you close your eyes and smile with every bite.

6. Zack’s Hamburgers (Charlotte)

Family-owned since 1975, Zack’s has been quietly perfecting the art of the double cheeseburger while Charlotte grew up around it. Their signature “Zack’s Special” is basically a masterclass in burger architecture: two 100% beef patties, double American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mayo, and their secret weapon, special sauce.

Hidden in plain sight among Charlotte’s flashier dining scene, Zack’s represents everything right about neighborhood burger joints. No pretense, no fusion experiments, just a family recipe that’s earned iconic status among those in the know.

While upscale burger spots grab headlines, Zack’s keeps doing what it does best, proving that staying power beats hype every single time.