How are you feeling today? What’s the weather? Where are you? None of that matters. Stop it. I bet you still want a burger, and chances are there’s a burger joint down the street that understands the assignment.
But with all the options we have in NC, how do you separate the best burgers from the pretenders? How do you distinguish between the mouth-watering burger joints and the junky chains that are trying to sell you the worst thing they could put between bread without going to jail? Hi, Hardee’s!
That’s where we come in. I’ve written a guide to 9 NC amazing burger joints you (might) not know about. Scroll below for highlights. You can find the full list here.
Did I miss something? Reply to this email and tell me! And make sure to share this list with your friends!
The best 9 burger joints in NC you might not know about
The pimento cheese burger at Miller’s Restaurant in Mocksville. Thank your grandmother for this great idea. (Photo via Visit NC)
Alley 26 – Durham
Alley 26 is a cocktail bar. Some people might be wearing blazers or handlebar mustaches. Don’t let that deter you.
This burger is roguishly unpretentious. It hangs out next to lobster rolls and mushroom risotto and—at an affordable price—makes everything else look overdressed.
What makes a good burger is simple. It’s good beef, not overcooked (if your doctor allows it), lots of salt and pepper (also, if your doctor allows it), fresh vegetables, and a good bun.
Alley 26 serves eight ounces of ground chuck & brisket with a bourbon bacon jam, chipotle aioli, and arugula on a potato roll. That’s a fancy way of saying a zesty bacon burger.
Photo via @alleytwentysix on Instagram
Brooks’ Sandwich House – Charlotte
Some years ago, I lived in the NoDa area of Charlotte and this little red shack was across the street.
I saw all the people with hard hats going in there at lunch time and I knew something was up. People with hard hats are usually hungry as hell and they know what they want to eat.
They were right about this one. Brooks’ Sandwich House makes its name on speedy, delicious burgers. Add the chili and onions please.
They’ve been serving up burgers since 1973, which means all the trendy condos here grew around them like weeds and they stayed the same. Respect the little red shack.
Photo via @brookssandwichhouse on Instagram
Nick’s Old Fashion Hamburger House – Lexington
Nick’s serves up smashburgers. Which means they smash it down on the grill, searing the outside and keeping those juices inside.
It’s better this way. The worst kind of burger is like a perfectly round, dry hockey puck. No chance of that with a smashburger. For an upcharge, put it on Texas Toast.
Nick’s diner keeps it simple too, with a small menu and a big taste that brings in drivers from all over the state. Lexington’s known for barbecue. And burgers will never supplant barbecue. But this is one heck of a try.
Photo via @nicksoldfashionburgers on Instagram
Hope you have as much fun eating these burgers as I did. Happy eating.
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