by Unpretentious Palate staff

National Burger Day is May 28, so we thought it would be a good time to share our favorite burgers in and around the Queen City. It’s not an easy call. Most Charlotte restaurants put out a darn fine burger (meat and non-meat), but here are the places Unpretentious Palate staffers head to when the craving hits.

Duckworth’s Big. Bad. Burger. Photo courtesy

Brian Beauchemin
Big. Bad. Burger. – Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse, multiple locations
“Eight ounces of house’s special patty blend with pepper jack cheese, jalapeño bacon, onion straws, and a bourbon glaze topped with jalapeño relish, served in a sweet onion roll. Jalapeños, bacon, and bourbon – need I say more!”

Allison Braden
A Really Good Burger – The Crunkleton, Elizabeth
“The Crunkleton is one of my favorite neighborhood hangouts. I can sit on those luxurious barstools for hours. This burger is my go-to order. I often swap in a Beyond Meat patty to make it vegetarian, but either way, the burger lives up to its name. The side of parmesan-dusted fries makes a perfect snack while I sip on a Painkiller and watch the bowtied bartenders carve ice.”

Matthew Krenz
Goopy Burger, The Goodyear House, NoDa
“This is my go-to when I’m in the area, and not just because they feature Krenz Ranch beef. It’s always well-executed and hits on so many beautiful notes. It’s an all-American classic, only elevated.”

Ebony Morman
Beyond Meat Veggie Burger – Pinky’s Westside Grill, Wesley Heights
“This burger got me through two years of being a vegetarian and most of COVID-19. It’s my go-to veggie burger and I always get a side of honey mustard for dipping. The whole wheat bun and the toppings are consistently fresh and delicious.”

Travis Mullis
Burger all the Way – Brooks’ Sandwich House, NoDa
Super Boy Hamburger – South 21 Drive-In, Commonwealth Park
“My choices are super obvious, but can’t be beat. Always add cheese.”

TM Petaccia
Double Cheeseburger – Park Road Soda Shoppe, Montford
“Nothing fancy; it’s your classic throwback soda shop flattop burger with iceberg lettuce, tomato, and onion. A wave of nostalgia hits you with every bite. Don’t forget the fries and chocolate shake.”

Anita Skogland
House Burger – Fern, Flavors of the Earth, Dilworth
“Plant-based beef and shiitake patty, sundried tomato aioli, arugula, bacon, swiss, balsamic glaze, mushroom onion gravy. You can add an egg for $2, and it comes with a side salad. Very flavorful, the aioli is amazing, the burger is crisp and the toppings are a satisfying contrast.”

Cheddar Cheeseburger – Living Kitchen, South End
“A quinoa-based burger, topped with house-made cashew cheddar cheese, pear coleslaw, BBQ sauce, tomato, and pickles. The BBQ sauce is nicely spicy, and the pear coleslaw is a refreshing surprise.”

A Chubz chili cheeseburger and cheese fries. Kristen Wile/UP

Kristen Wile
The Ace – Ace No.3, Belmont Village / Myers Park / Concord Mills
“Two quarter-pound chuck-blend patties, American cheese, grilled onions, house-made pickles, and Comeback sauce on a brioche bun. This is classic Americana. A chocolate shake is mandatory.”

Chili Cheeseburger – Chubz Famous Chiliburgers, Woodlawn
“Chubz is the kind of place you have to stop by any time you’re near the Woodlawn Road exit on I-77 during lunch hours. Their chiliburgers are everything you crave: a well-seasoned patty cooked on a well-seasoned flat top grill, gooey cheese, and delicious chili that seeps into the bun. Add onion rings and a milkshake to your order for a true American classic treat.”