We’ve covered everything from ice cream to BBQ, but one staple that’s perfect for a grab-n-go lunch or delicious dinner is a burger. Whether you prefer yours ‘all the way,’ simple with cheese, mustard and lettuce (like me) or more extravagant; there’s a pitstop for every type of burger lover on this statewide trail. If you weren’t following the news, you might’ve missed Strange Carolinas Burger Bracket Tournament that made headlines from Asheville to OBX. The ‘burger bracket’ pitted 64 different burger joints against each other until votes decided on the best burger in North Carolina.
Featuring some top contenders in said bracket, and some classic favorites, wear your stretchy pants for this delicious burger trail.
Congrats Carolina Burger, your delicious heart attack between two buns won the hearts of burger lovers everywhere. Getting placed #1 in the Burger Bracket Tournament, Carolina Burger offers ten different types of burgers. There's 'The Standard' and there's also the 'Carolina Firecracker' with grilled Texas toast, Swiss and jalapeño cream cheese, grilled onions, and the famous homemade lava sauce. Is your mouth watering yet?
This under-the-radar Mount Airy sports bar went head-to-head with Carolina Burger for battle of the best. Since we already know how the story ends, The Loaded Goat, while placing 2nd, is still amazing, including their weekly 'burger specials.' Looking for something so good it feels wrong? Try the mac 'n cheese burger pictured above.
Visiting a friend in Greensboro? There's a 90% chance they're going to take you to Hops for a delicious burger and craft brew. Hops goes a bit more inventive over classic; people love the French Onion Burger (pictured above), the 'Spicy Goat,' or even the 'Asian Invasion' featuring wasabi. You'll want to come back time and time again to try them all.
This hole in the wall has been a Charlotte staple for decades amidst a changing culture and rapid growth. The cash-only restaurant serves everything from delectable 'all the way' stye burgers to even livermush. Here's to hoping Brooks continues to hold it down for years to come.
Mmmm...Duke's, if you're a fan of coleslaw on burgers or a great 'Carolina style' this is a must. The hole in the wall keeps it classic too with simply great food in a quaint environment.
This cute and quirky building is hiding some of the best burgers. Cooked on a flat top grill, Johnson's brings back childhood memories of simple burgers, fries, and diners with mom and dad. It's nostalgia and a delicious lunch all wrapped into one.
With several locations throughout Wilmington, PT'S dominated in the 'cheese' category for the Burger Bracket but fell short to Juicy Lucy's. This Port City staple is indeed worth a stop in you're in the area or passing through on the way to the beaches.
From the 'Super burger' to the shrimp burger, you really can't beat a stop by El's Drive In on a trip to the beach. While the shrimp burgers are usually the main attraction, diehard El's fans also know that you can't beat their burgers topped with chili and slaw.
Looking for other ways to enjoy burgers across the state? Strange Carolinas compiled this awesome burger map featuring all 64 contenders.
Sure, there’s so many great burger joints throughout the state, but these highlight the best in the region. It seems if you’re looking to open a burger joint in Greensboro, you’re going to have some serious competition – other top contenders like PorterHouse and Emma Key’s are stationed here. Even Charlotte has a hot burger market, it’s the original location for the ‘now chain’ Bad Daddy’s, other burger spots worth a stop in Charlotte also include Bang Bang Burgers, Zack’s Hamburgers, and Pinky’s. Also, if you’re starting out the trip in Asheville, stop at Juicy Lucy’s too…another top contender in the burger bracket.
What are some of your favorite places for grabbing a burger throughout North Carolina? Did your favorite make a list? How do you like your burgers – I’ll take mine with cheese, mustard, ketchup, lettuce and coleslaw. YUM!
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